Hepburn Lager first appeared as a limited release in spring 2021, quickly going on to become their biggest-seller over the summer. So they did what any sensible brewery owner would do: added it to their year-round offering.
According to head brewer Nick Galik, it's inspired by American lagers, although he also refers to it as "an original adjunct lager", thanks to the inclusion of flaked rice and rolled oats alongside the pilsner malt. If you wanted another descriptor, wife Helen tells visitors to their brewpub it's like "an upmarket Corona".
Given the brewery first came to attention on the back of another lager, when their Pilsner took out a trophy at the Indies, you can go into this with expectations high, and it doesn't disappoint. Pouring gold with a fulsome white head, it's very much a lager in the classic rather than contemporary mould: lightly sweet bready malts, some lager esters and just a hint of floral hops courtesy of the Tettnanger and Amarillo hops.
James Smith
