I'm just going to get straight down to it because today I'm kicking off the first of several beers from one of my favourite Breweries: Okanagan Spring!
Since this is the first beer from OK Spring I'll be blogging about, I will start with the first beer I ever drank that was brewed by them. That beer is 1516 Bavarian Lager. Plus, there haven't been many lagers so far on this blog. Or ales really since I've been a bit of a slacker so far. So anyway, here it goes!
A little bit about the place: Okanagan Spring brewery is actually larger than what you would call a "Micro Brewery" since they have a brewing capacity of around 350,000hl. What sets them apart is that, though they are brewing a large quantity, it's still a very high quality product with very high standards. it's allegedly an all natural product as well!
OK Spring mainly brews according to the Bavarian Purity Law (or Reinheitsgebot ) of 1516, excluding certain brews like their Hefeweizen. Basically this Purity law states that the only ingredients allowed in beers brewed in Munich are Water, Barley, Hops (after having read a translation...yeast is left out. I don't know why, it's essential isn't it?). I suppose that this beer (Bavarian 1516) is what they feel represents that tradition most accurately.
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| also available in bottles! (sorry the pic is so dark) |
The Pour: doesn't appear to be too fizzy, if you're pouring into a glass and you are in a bit of a hurry...you'll probably be alright, I don't think this one's going to get out of control on you.
The head initially swells to a nice height, but it's not the type to wear out it's welcome and dissipates fast. I should be said that I'm drinking out of a standard pint glass (not the photo), and it really doesn't help things if you are looking to have a long lasting head on your beer.
It's also a light brass colour, nothing out of the ordinary.
what the nose says: again, not the best glass to be sampling from (i'm working on getting a standard tasting glass); but this one doesn't send my schnoz reeling with a complex equation to decipher. Nice and simple. the malt doesn't stand out alot but you can tell it's there. I also get a touch of a flowery hop; but again, not very strong.
Said the tongue: a very smooth mouthfeel. A very smooth subtle lager with a mild finish. I think the malt and the hops are really in balance on this one, it works quite nicely. from the moment you take it in to the after taste you get an equal portion or malt and hops.
Ponderings: Everything about this lager suggests the word session. A term often used to describe and ale that you can sit and drink plenty of and enjoy from the first to the last. I think it could apply perhaps even more when speaking of lagers since they are typically less complex than some ales. This lager is a great brew, it's very consistent and it's flavour doesn't vary too much whether it's a fresh pour or if you are downing the dregs (so long as you haven't let it sit for a long time).
A good reliable standby lager.
that's it for this week! I hope to return soon!
Don't forget that I wold love to hear your suggestions on brews, or your thoughts on the brews i've tried!
-The Parched Paige
