On Half Acre Lager Town

Half Acre Lager Town

When I think of Chicago and beer, I don't think of Goose Island, or Old Style... I think of Half Acre.  These guys put out an amazing number of different beers each year, many of them brewed just once.  The creative output of this small brewery is reflected in their use of amazing label art.  Each beer has a unique label that is nearly impossible to walk by without purchasing.  

I recently stopped by Half Acre's North Center brewery and picked up a growler of their current limited offering, Lager Town, an Oktoberfest... er, Novemberfest, style lager first tapped on October 28th.  The beer starts with clean malt aromas with a hint of toast. Maybe a touch of esters, but it could be my imagination. The small, white head quickly recedes to the sidelines revealing a dark, burnt orange beer underneath. Malt dominates for sure, but it has more earthy hop character than I am used to for the style - which is not at all a bad thing. 

This one starts out sweet and cuddly but gradually matures to a dry and pleasing end like a relationship between two old friends. A welcome change to some of the more cloying Oktoberfests from many American craft brewers. Full bodied with moderate carbonation, this well balanced Oktoberfest is very comforting on a wet, cold day.