Love Lagers (Jun-Jul 2018)

"Black Cauldron is our take on Old World dark lagers," says brewery Cofounder Jake Miller. “Most of the beers we brew at Heirloom are steeped in tradition, but we also give ourselves the freedom to explore these older styles and methods with new eyes.”

Whether you’re headed back from your latest great beercation or jetting off to an amazing bottle share with friends, keeping your beer safe from the perils of travel is paramount. Our staff tested several bags designed to keep your bottles from breaking.

People make pilgrimages to the Suarez Family Brewery. There are no pints, only pours, and most of what’s on offer is below 6 percent ABV. Here it’s about taking it slow, appreciating nuance, and working with both tradition and the surrounding area.

One of the great challenges brewers will have to tackle in the coming years is how will they honor tradition with lagers and pilsners while also forging new paths forward, as they’ve done with styles such as India pale ale.

For Los Angeles Brewmaster Alexandra Nowell of Three Weavers Brewing Co, indelible impressions of taste, experience of place, and a thorough appreciation for the craft inform the picks for her desert-island six.

Here are some tips to keeping the temperature of your homebrewed lager under control.

Ales have long been a brewer’s playground. Lagers, the time-matured, technically difficult, were the other side of the coin. Now, lagers are being played with like ales. Is this tinkering a good thing, or are we about to jump the shark?

Homebrew expert Brad Smith, author of the Beersmith homebrewing software and the voice behind the Beersmith podcast, answers a question on RIMS vs. HERMS systems.

There’s general agreement that Alberta, Canada, is about a decade behind its brewing neighbors to the south. Still, while there’s a lot to celebrate locally, Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company in Edmonton might just be the brewery that ushers in the new age.

Many brewers will say that lager is their go-to style. It’s the refreshing beer they need after a long day brewing and the perfect session companion to days at the bar with friends and coworkers. We asked five brewers to share their lager picks.

The catchphrase “Keep Austin Weird” has long reflected the eclectic and creative community that calls the Texas capital home, so it should come as no surprise that the city’s breweries showcase similarly eccentric personalities.

Homebrew expert Brad Smith, author of the Beersmith homebrewing software and the voice behind the Beersmith podcast, examines what it takes to brew at higher altitudes.

It’s bold, and if you use too much of it, you’ll get burned. Brewer’s licorice is a potent ingredient that adds that well-known spice kick to a beer without having to use star anise or fennel.

Here are the three beer bars that we explored in the “Love Handles” department in Issue 26 (June/July 2018) of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine®.

A style born of the golden hops age, India Pale Lagers have evolved beyond just the combination of two styles. Drinkers today have choice, and brewers are exploring the breadth and future of IPL.

When I’m drinking in a contemplative way and considering the beer at hand, flow is the first thing I look for.

As more breweries open and more craft customers have kids, it’s becoming more and more common to encounter little ones in tasting rooms. Good idea? Bad idea?