Last May, the end of last May actually, I saw a video by the legendary Jeff Lyons for Smuttynose Frankenlager, part of their Big Beer Series of 22-ounce releases. I searched for the beer high and low over the summer, into the fall, and through December and I couldn’t find the bloody thing to save my life. Since the Big Beer series is limited in nature, I despaired of every trying Frankenlager, and moved on to the next one.
Then something totally unexpected happened the other day. There I was, sitting at my local Taco Mac here in Canton. I ordered up a mug of harpoon Long Thaw White IPA, which was freshly tapped that day. The serve came over and told me that it had also kicked that same day, but would I like to try the beer they just put on to replace it? You guessed it: Smuttynose Frankenlager.
I’m not sure how that happens, but surely Ninkasi was smiling on me that day. Of course I ordered the beer, and another brewquest had been fulfilled. Smuttynose Frankenlager is an India Pale Lager, a pilsner style lager brewed with American IPA hops. Hence the name, this fusion beer takes parts from two other styles to make a totally new creation.
Smuttynose calls Frankenlager a hybrid beer. Perhaps that is true of the styles, though when I think of true hybrid beers I am more likely to imagine true ale/lager crossovers such as steam beer, cream ale, and Kolsch. Anyway, here’s what Smuttynose says about their Frankenlager:
In Mary Shelley’s novel, a modern-day Prometheus combines disparate parts to create something uncontrollable, destructive and misunderstood. Lucky for you (and our team) that brewing is much more predictable and manageable, especially in our new state-of-the-art brewery in Hampton, NH.
The India-style Pale Lager is a new hybrid-style of beer that’s begun surfacing throughout the craft brewing nations of the world. Frankenlager is Smuttynose’s presentation of a double IPA mashed and fermented like the classic lagers of Europe. Crisp and refined, but certainly not meek or mild, Frankenlager is one the first beers brewed in our new home and we’re excited to present it to the world.
Ingredients from the website:
Malt Bill: North American 2-row
Hops: Bittering: Magnum, Flavor: Saphir, Dry Hop: Saphir
Smuttynose Frankenlager India Pale Lager has an alcohol content of 6.1% by volume with 60 IBUs. I never saw it in the bottle, but Big Beer Series brews run $5.99 for 22-ounce bombers. At Taco Mac, this was served in an 11-ounce glass, but at $5.50 I can’t complain too much about that.
My glass of Smuttynose Frankenlager arrived a pale golden color with a very minimal head formation and a soft passion fruit hop nose. Taking a sip, I got a light clean maltiness up front consistent with a pilsner or Dortmunder export, then came the very fruity passion fruit and mango hop flavors and aromas and at the last a light drying bitterness.
Smuttynose Frankenlager is moderate in strength compared to other beers of this style I have tried, but it is tasty and refreshing and quite interesting. I think I prefer my lagers more traditionally, but I do love experimentation across styles as well. Definitely a beer that I would buy and enjoy again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft