Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week: Carlos Danger

*Originally posted July 19th, 2021*

Jon, Jerrod, and Jordan keep turning out amazing lagers to keep us entertained and quench our thirst. They have released a few lagers in the past few weeks, and it is tough not to turn these posts into a Bearded Tang marketing ploy. American Dark Lager Mariana’s Quench, Australian Pale Lager Ella Down Unda, and the return of fan-favorite German Pilsner Ausflippen (previously written about here). But one other Lagerbier stands out and is a testament to the talent at Bearded Tang (and their witty banter). A toasty Vienna Lager, Carlos Danger, is Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week!

Vienna Lagers have origins in Austria by a brewer named Anton Dreher in 1841. Developed alongside what is now referred to as Märzen by a fellow brewer, friend to Dreher, and a legend in Bavarian beer history, Gabriel Sedlmayr II. Upon the development of Munich malt (Sedlmayr) and Vienna malt (Dreher), they became the primary ingredients for their respected associated beer styles. Over the decades and the popularity of adjuncts used in the new-world brewing tradition, this style has taken a turn towards the bland and resembles only in name to their linage. Looking at you, Dark Mexican Lagers.

Carlos Danger, however, holds to what the traditional style was meant to be in all its Austrian glory. Pours out a dazzling amber with orange highlights, crystal clear, with a dense, long-lasting ivory head atop. Aromas of lightly toasted bread with drizzled honey and a touch of flowery hops. The palate is the same as the nose with the addition of a sharp bitterness to balance out the gentle sweet bread and lingers into the dry finish along with some soft, cozy malt. Everything this style was meant to be.

While enjoying a pint at Rodeo 39 in Stanton you have many options for food. If you are looking for an interesting combination, pair it up with Nandomo by Hironori’s Al Pastor Raman (pictured above). The spicy heat and delectable nature of the meat will partner well with the toasty flavors of the beer while the onions and lime echo the slight hop notes making them pop more. The bitterness might make accentuate the heat, but the saltiness of the broth lets those malt flavors through to balance the whole thing. Perhaps a classic Cuppy-Roni pepperoni pizza Steele Pan is more your style. Take a bit of the pie, take a sip, and let the bitterness contrast the saltiness to let the toasty notes envelop the savory meat cups. You can also enjoy with a nice burger or steak by Primal Cuts, a Hawaiian BBQ-inspired sandwich at Shootz, or enjoy it with just about any other terrific food choices available there.

Bearded Tang Brewing
12885 Beach Blvd, #23, Stanton, CA 90680
Insta, Facebook

Prost!

Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week: Chapman Pils Dry-Hopped Batch 500

*Originally posted July 13, 2021*

One aspect of the independent craft beer scene that can be a downfall is consistency. This is true whether we are referencing the availability of core beers or variations from batch to batch. Beers take time to make, and it is difficult to execute them consistently every time if that is the intent. It seems to be even more evident with a Lagerbier. Chapman’s Pils defies both. Not only has it been consistently available, as noted with this special 500th batch, but the quality of this Lagerbier has rarely wavered. Chapman Crafted Pils Dry-Hopped Batch 500 is Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week!

This batch is a purposeful variant with the addition of dry-hopping (adding hops at the tail end and/or end of fermentation) with Grüngeist and Saphir hops to highlight this milestone. Dry-hopping is not common practice in traditional Lagerbier production in the old world, but it is one of the defining characters of an Italian Pilsner. Could Pils Batch 500 be classified as an Italian Pilsner? Perhaps. The standard Chapman Pils is already a wonderful Lagerbier with its well attenuated (percentage of fermentable sugar fermented), dry, snappy, and floral aspects. The dry-hopping adds some extra oomph.

Pouring a pale golden yellow with a fluffy cap of foam. Aromas of the combination of Grüngeist and Saphir hops explode out of the glass! Notes lime zest, fresh green tea leaves, underripe peach, grain cereal, and slight sulfur (it’s a good thing, trust me). On the tongue, flavors of lemon rind, crushed mint, cut grass, berry skin, and light white bread underneath it all. Medium body with a soft textured mouthfeel and a bitter, snappy, bone-dry finish with only a bit of fragrant hops that linger.

Pick up a 4-pack and pair it with just about anything! A great paring at any backyard cookout is carne asada or citrus-marinated chicken tacos with a kickin’ salsa. The lime, cilantro, and onion will resonate with the grassy, lemony hops, bitterness will contrast the heat of the salsa, and the carbonation will wash it all away.

Chapman Crafted

123 N Cypress St., Orange, CA 92866
Website, Insta, Facebook

Prost!

Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®

Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the Week: Mouth Peace

Peace & Suds.
(Photo taken at Green Cheek, Orange, by me)

*Originally posted July 7, 2021*

Green Cheek is no stranger to traditional lagers and their team makes some outstanding examples. Their current pale lager in the old-world style is no different. It is easy to have inner peace once one takes a sip of this invigorating Lagerbier. Mouth Peace, a German Pils by Green Cheek is Enbeerment’s Lagerbier of the week!

Taking inspiration from the Czech or Bohemian Pilsner style lager that came before it, the first German Pils is claimed by the Radeberger Brewery in 1872 to combat the growing popularity of the golden pale lager. The German Pils differs from its Czech origins in a few ways such as having sharper edges on bitterness and dryness and having more lively carbonation. (More on all Pilsners here.)

Pale gold in color and brightly clear with a pillowy head. On the nose, aromas of pristine malt characters such as dried hay and cereal with minty, almost tea-like, or cut grass hop aroma. The taste is clean and refreshing with a light cracker with peppery hops to give their delicate herbal tones to take hold. Crisp finish with a clear-cut bitterness that lingers for a while, very pleasantly, aiding to the thirst-quenching nature of the beer.

Pair with… just about anything. It’s summer and it’s hot out so give it a try with some spicy sausages or carne asada, tacos with lots of lime and cilantro, or anything with lots of capsaicin heat at this weekend’s backyard cookout. You’ll be hard-pressed not find peace within you… after a can or two of Mouth Peace, that is.

“Drink While Smiling.”

Green Cheek Beer Co.
2294 N Batavia St, Ste C, Orange, CA 92865
Or
2957 Randolph Ave, Unit B, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website, Insta, Facebook

Prost!

Gilbert “Charlie” Perez, Advanced Cicerone®