A beer going by the name XL Lager was first sent our way by Mountain Goat ahead of summer 2020; three years later, it returns with a new look based on that of their biggest-seller: the GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer. It's a look also applied to a couple of non-beer core range additions debuting at the same time: Hazy Apple Cider and Ginger Beer.
Other than the revised can design, the 2023 edition follows the same path as first time around: Simcoe, Enigma and Centennial hops, a German lager yeast, 4.9 percent ABV and 25 IBUs of bitterness. If anything, it feels a little more restrained, offering up new world fruitiness – melon, grapefruit, a little mandarin – with a gentle touch alongside some more traditional lager-like floral spiciness.
Back in 2020, we said XL made for "an enjoyable, easy-going quaffer", and it's no different this time around.
James Smith
Published October 6, 2023 2023-10-06 00:00:00
