Patrons Project 8.01 // DDH Lager Ekuanot // Reece Leung // Vague

With the increased capacity of our new production facility freeing up a few vessels at our Old Flax Store site, brewing our first Lager style beers was always high on our list of ways to fill them up. Lager fermentations are a slower, more delicate process to which we previously could not commit tank time to, but which are a technical challenge we'd been itching to tackle. We're all still hopheads at heart as well though so we have attempted to find the perfect hybrid between IPA and Lager, putting together a series of single variety, dry hopped lagers showcasing hops we felt equally straddle the line between US citrus fruit and classic German noble character.

First up is Ekuanot, a US hop which already is a firm favourite at NMBCo HQ making up a 1/3 of the dry hop of our flagship New World IPA. Once fondly known as 'Citra Plus' in brewing circles, Ekuanot packs a big tropical aroma of Papaya and Mango plus softer hints of Melon and Lime. It also has a noble-like delicacy and floralness which put it to the forefront of our mind for the series. The base beer is a classic German Lager in the main, utilising the softest brewing water with Pils malt backed up by aa touch of Munich for depth and Wheat for mouthfeel and head retention. Soft but prominent bitterness leading to a crisp, clean profile on which to layer the different flavours of our chosen hop. Show Less