Spirit Guide Heirloom Lager
Last year, we collectively concurred that our portfolio (and our palettes) were yearning for more Pilsner. An expansive category that is full of nuance and regional specifics. Originating in the Czech Republic, this revered style has been emulated and recreated in nearly every country in the world. Usually, regionally specific ingredients and inputs make their mark, sometimes leading to category definitions and more often leading to consumer preference for that rendition or approach. While the broad definition of “Pale Lager” reigns as the most popular beer style in the world, it is our opinion that the foundation of Pilsner is what continually inspires and drives brewers globally to insert their versions into the canon and (hopefully) feel the reverberations of their efforts.
All that preamble leads us to our current crossroads. With decades of American craft brewing in our collective memory, and centuries of European brewing tradition embedded in our psyche, we set out to define our own Heirloom. A lager that can ground us and transport us all at once. Some sort of tether from the past into the future. A cosmic shepherd. A Spirit Guide, if you will.
Spirit Guide Heirloom lager is our foray into an “American” Pilsner. Though, depending on perspective this can have many connotations. We seek to transcend the expectation of “Pre-Prohibition” or “American” pilsner flavor expectations. We are crafting an Heirloom – to be savored, to revel in, a tradition to pass on through the years.
The foundation begins with a unique opportunity and privilege to brew with a barley variety centuries old and historical in its nature. A land-race variety from the Czech Republic that has carved out its own reputation from years of successful and influential planting, harvesting, floor-malting, and ultimately brewing. While this variety has been farmed and malted for many decades in the Czech Republic, it has now been lovingly grown in the UK by the talented folks in the Crisp Malting organization. The Crisp name carries its own lore within the global brewing community and has been a pillar of excellence in the malting world for over 150 years.
The variety Haná was then harvested and transported to the Bay Area where our partners at Admiral Maltings thoughtfully floor-malted (as is tradition) this special grain into a beautiful Pilsner malt. Limited in quantity, and unique in its quality, heritage, and story, this malt has been allocated to only a select handful of breweries to showcase its range and potential. We count ourselves lucky to be included in this experiment.
In addition to this special Heirloom malt variety, we’ve paired impactful additions of Sacramento Valley grown and malted Wheat, Six-Row and Corn. These additions are both for flavor and historical perspective. Six-Row and Corn were some of the earliest domesticated and/or native grains to North America. Six-Row of Scottish origin was the primary brewing grain from the 17th to 20th century in the Colonial US. Six-Row’s high enzymatic potential paired with a mildly under-modified malt (Hana Pils) allows us to achieve better efficiency (diastatic power) while also providing a historical reference point. Six-Row is often associated with the use of Adjuncts (Non-Barley Fermentables from rice, corn, oats or simple/invert sugars) and while we are utilizing a variety of California grown and malted corn, we keep the percentages to a respectable degree. The addition of corn helps lighten the body and can provide a particular flavor when used as a harmonious component of the composition rather than as a cheap vehicle for fermentable sugars (as it is utilized for Industrial Macro-Lager). All told there is more Wheat and an equivalent amount Six-Row in this beer than there is Corn so don’t let ‘em call it a corn lager! This is our Heirloom, baby.
After the mash concludes and the resulting wort makes its way to the boil kettle it begins to propel itself into future view. We start with classic noble German varieties before introducing a modern take with a hefty whirlpool addition of Hallertau Blanc. This unique variety was bred at Hüll research center in Germany and released in 2012. Relatively new to the world of hop flavor and terroir this unique variety expresses bright and modern notes of white wine, mild undertones of citrus, paired with a delicate and fresh essence of elderflower and cucumber. The combination of classic and emerging flavors provides a unique spectrum of flavor and experience that we’re continually excited by.
Once we leave the brewhouse we chill the wort down to cool lager fermentation temps and employ our unique approach to bottom fermentation. Under pressure with patience. We never filter our lagerbier and we aim to express our raw ingredients free from distraction and encumbrance.
It doesn’t require an anthropological history lesson to enjoy this unique offering but we hope that some insight into our choices can provide a bit of intrigue. We remain passionate about how we engage with our supply chain and our opportunity to showcase one of the best malt houses in the country - Admiral Maltings. We believe small suppliers have the space, ability, and potential to evolve and disrupt the way consumers perceive and invest in their beverage choices and our intention is to influence and encourage this shift in engagement and enjoyment.
NO MALT. NO BEER. Savor wisely.
