Lagers are enjoying a sustained resurgence in craft beer but Renn Blackman has long had a soft spot for them. Blackman’s Brewery has three in their core range these days, including Juicy Banger; a delicious IPL that appears to have outlasted the entire category.
But you won’t find Czech Pilsner loaded with new world hops, with the beer instead a loving tribute to the likes of Pilsner Urquell. Before being brought out in cans for summer 22/23, this pils already had a storied life too, in part thanks to the three months it spent lagering in tank. But beyond that, the draught version already caused a bit of a stir at August’s Bendigo On The Hop (well, me and the people I was standing near enjoyed it anyway) and it picked up a gold medal at The Indies. So what impressed me, my friends and the Indies judges? Well, it would have been its crisp body and overall balance, with herbal spice coming from the Saaz hops, malt character that sits somewhere between bread and dry biscuits and a steady bitter on the finish.
Will Ziebell
Published December 23, 2022 2022-12-23 00:00:00
