La Verdad
Brewery: Austin Beerworks
Style: Mixed Style Beer (34B)
Package: 12oz Can
Purchased: Whichcraft, July, 2019
Canned Date: None?
Consumed Date: July 28, 2019
Details From the Brewer
ABV: 5.6%
From the bold hops of the pacific coast to the clean grains of the plains, this beer is 100% from sea to shining screeeee..
Review
Aroma – 8/12
Floral and citrus hop aromas jump out at a medium-high intensity. It’s a light grassy floral character, not perfumey with a orange zest note. There is a slight sweetness here as well. Malt is in the backround, coming through with a fresh baked bread roll note. Clean fermentation character.
Appearance – 2/3
Pours with a ivory head made up of medium and large bubbles. It hangs around with average retention, before fading to a thin ring. The liquid is a deep gold color with a noticeable haziness.
Flavor – 15/20
More mellow than what the aroma suggests. A medium low citrus hop flavor blends with a very grainy/husky note. A low level of sweetness and biscuit appears in the midtaste. Some additional hop complexity comes out as it warms with blueberry notes, and a touch of mango. These flavors fall off a bit towards the end of the taste where a moderate bitterness appears. This strips out the flavors quickly on the crisp finish.
Mouthfeel – 3/5
Medium bodied beer. The carbonation is at a moderate level, and seems to hit the front of the tongue. Some oily feeling lingers on the cheeks during the finish. Slight astringency present on the finish as well.
Overall Impression – 7/10
This is an interesting mix of a pale ale, and an (American) Lager. It’s turns into an interesting take on an IPL. The hop character expressed on the aroma is more muted in the flavor, but a grainey lager character is able to come out instead. The finish needs some improvement. The bitterness and astringency really dry out the mouth, instead of leaving a clean punctuation like you’d expect in a lager. This is still a thirst quenching beer that I’d reach for while eating 36 hot dogs as every American does on the 4th of July.
Rating – 34/50
Mixed style beers like this are always a bit hard to review, let alone make. You’re venturing into uncharted territory, trying to blend the best elements of two styles, while keeping a good balance (think Belgian IPA.) As craft pilsners have been graining more popularity amongst drinkers, I’d predict we’ll start to see more of these American-hopped lagers appear as well. Hopefully Austin Beerworks keeps tweaking this one for the next batch.
