CHEERS
ferment it gather at the bottom of the fermentation tank) results in a crisp, light, refreshing beer with a smooth, mellow taste (as well as usually a lower alcohol and slightly higher sugar content). – SAISON: A Belgian style of beer fermented with complex flavored yeasts, saisons – full of fruity and spicy notes and typically lower in alcohol – are light-bodied beers that are very refreshing and considered easy drinkers. Known as a farmhouse beer, saison was traditionally brewed solely during the winter months when farmworkers had less field work to do. Saison ferments and matures for an extended period of time, making it perfect for enjoying during the spring and summer seasons. – KOLSCH: Born in Germany, the light and crisp Kolsch is similar to an ale, but is fermented like a lager, and features fruity ale notes, resulting into a very balanced beer, without a bitter taste. – HEFEWEIZEN: The original wheat beer, the popular Germanborn hefeweizen boasts crisp, refreshing, bright flavors. Using a top-fermenting ale yeast, and at least 50% wheat malts, along with barley, the unfiltered hefeweizen is characterized by its cloudiness and white head. – WITBIER: Belgain witbier, or white beer, is a sessionable beer at just 4%-5% ABV. Pale in color, witibiers are often cloudy and creamy, due to incorporation of oats and wheat. The addition of citrus peel and coriander make the beer bright, fragrant, and refreshing – a perfect beer for drinking in the spring sunshine. – PILSNER: The pilsner is known to be a clean, crisp, and almost
TO SPRING
W
arm weather means spending more time outdoors – oftentimes with a nice, cold, refreshing beer in hand. After months hibernating inside savoring dark, heavy, more comforting ales, spring is the perfect time to enjoy a lighter, fruitier brew. But with so many delicious varieties out there, how do you decide which one to pop open on that beautiful spring Saturday afternoon, or order the next time you visit your favorite bar, brewery, or restaurant for a much needed night out? We asked our friend and long-time Triangle brewmaster Brad Wynn, co-owner of Norse Brewing Company in Downtown Wake Forest, for a few suggestions – and descriptions – of warm weather brews that are sure to give your tastebuds a muchneeded spring awakening. – LAGER: The lager is the most common type of beer in the world. The bottom-fermented brewing technique (the yeasts used to
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CIRCA Magazine
| April • May • June 2022
|
circamagazine.com
