Tasting: Adam's Vienna Lager con Agave Nectar y Limon

The beer seen below in inappropriate glassware involved a few firsts for me. It was my first lager, my first Vienna lager, and my first beer inspired by a desire to make a better version of a genre of macro beers (lime-infused light Mexican lagers). I have a friend (Adam) who really enjoys beer--some of his favorites are Six Point Brewery and Goose Island--but still enjoys "beers" such as Pacifico (go figure). Grupo Modelo (the mother corporation of Pacifico) is a rather confusing conglomerate of production and distribution networks responsible, most famously, for the Corona brand. One of their more worthy beers, Negra Modelo, a part "inspiracion" for the beer below, is a worthy Vienna lager in its own right. However, Grupo Modelo is part of a joint venture with SABMillerCoors, the second largest beer producer in the world. Not only that, but Anheiser-Busch InBev (the world's largest beer producer) had a 50% non-controlling share of the company and attempted to buy the remaining 50% on June 29, 2012 before the U.S. Justice department filed an anti-trust suit against the company. I make no effort to bash the quality of the beer these macro brewing companies at this time, just their business strategies. Oh, by the way, ABInbev also produces such atrocities as Bud Light Lime in case anyone was curious. 

Knowing what some of my friend's more worthy choices are capable of, I took his confession that he actually likes the aforementioned swill as a personal offense and was challenged to create something that embodies the same goals as Pacifico, but in a much more worthy package. I sought to make a refreshing beer that combines the refreshing acidity of lime with a substantial malt backbone. What follows is a tasting and recipe. Behold, Adam's Vienna Lager con Agave Nectar y Limon.

A-The beer pours clear, but becomes more hazy as it fills the glass. It is dark orange to light, golden brown. Very effervescent, streams of bubbles maintain an off-white head that slowly dissipates. 

S-Muddy, generic sweet fruit opens to tempered citrus. Herbal integrates with the fruit and ushers one toward a balancing toasty-ness. 

F-Very similar to the smell. Carbonation quickly scrubs away bitterness, leaving the fruit sweetness. Enjoyable, interesting malt, notes of toffee, honeyed toast.

Overall-I could do with a bit less sweetness and more toast. There is also an elusive quality that can only be described as weinery, which seems to combine a slight smokiness with the fruity flavor and aroma. The beer could benefit from a brighter lime flavor and a bit drier finish, but it definitely achieves its goal of being a lime-infused beer worth drinking.

Recipe:

5.00 gallon batch; 60 minute boil

Grist:

11.25# Vienna Malt  84.9%

.75# Melanoiden Malt 5.7%

1.25# Blue Agave Nectar 9.4% (added to end of boil)

Hops, etc.:

1.00 oz. Hallertauer (4.80%) @ 45 min. 16 IBU

1.00 oz. Hallertauer (4.80%) @ 15 min. 8.6 IBU

1.00 oz. Hallertauer (4.80%) @ 5 min. 3.5 IBU

1 tsp. Irish Moss @ 15 min.

Zest of 5 limes in secondary for 14 days

Yeast:

4L starter of White Labs WLP940 Mexican Lager 

Directions:

Infusion mash at 152F, 60 min. Mash out at 168F, 10 min.

Cool wort to 50F, pitch yeast, ferment at 50-55F for 21 days, diacetyl rest, rack to secondary, lager in mid- to low-30'sF for 3 months.

Enjoy.

Until next time, BE FERMENTIVE!