This batch from 2 Halfs had me singing Underworld’s Born Slippy all the way home; “Shouting lager, lager, lager, lager!” indeed. In addition to a fresh remix of his Bavarian Keller Hell, founder and head brewer Kirk Bozinovski has dropped three new, light-bodied bangers inspired by Mexico, Japan and staying skinny (low carb).
Not only is Akira the name of a kick-ass anime classic, it also means "bright" and "clear" in Japanese, which makes it an apt title for Akira Japanese Lager. Playing with a base of 70 percent pilsner malt and 30 percent long grain ricem, it pours a pale, pale straw with a pearly head and follows through with light lashes of lemon-lime and spice from the Saaz and Tradition hops. It’s easy, breezy and very nimble on its feet.
Jumping continents, Atlantico Mexican Lager offers a slightly heftier beer with a bit more body and colour. Brewed with a sizeable 25 percent flaked corn in the mash, this glassy drop is cruisey, crushable and laced with notes of lime and white grape from Motueka and Nelson Sauvin hops in the whirlpool.
Last but not least in this lager lineup is the Mega Dry Low Carb Lager. It’s easy (and foolish) to judge low-carb beers as intrinsically incomplete or compromised, but this one was a lovely surprise and, unexpectedly, my favourite of the three lagers. Gleaming light gold with a generous head, it’s sharp and snappy with a playful citrus zest courtesy of the NZ hop Wai-iti. Plus drinking this means I can stop going to the gym, right?
Leaving lager land behind, Fields Of Dream Wet Hop IPA sees Kirk scoring fresh Victoria hops from Ryefield Hops in Bemboka to brew something unique and seasonal. Victoria may be a lesser-known Aussie hop (not to be confused with much more popular Vic Secret) but it’s used beautifully here in this mighty, moreish IPA. Bright bronze in colour and well-balanced, it’s bursting with lively floral flavours with hints of grapefruit and citrus to boot. For all their allure and romance, some wet hop beers can taste too green and vegetal, but this one is a gem.
Jason Treuen
Published June 3, 2024 2024-06-03 00:00:00
