Find Your “Lager Rhythm” w/B. United
September 27, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
We talk a lot about B. United here at Brasserie Y. And while the longtime importer likely pays the bills with brands like Reissdorf, Schneider and Schlenkerla, the discussion usually centers around their more esoteric (read “bonkers”) offerings: five-year blends of Italian lambic, smoked sour ales aged in Speyside Scotch casks, mead barrels buried in the ground, twenty year-old cellared bottles of British old ale, etc. They are changing the game, relying on customers to figure things out, and we are HERE for it.
Even when they release something as innocuous-sounding as a pilsner, there is much more to the story, and you can find out all about two of those stories this Friday when we tap a couple of pristine lagers from B. United’s portfolio. See below for a more involved breakdown of the beers. Or don’t; just show up tomorrow night and drink them. You’ll probably learn more that way.
Birrificio Italiano Tipopils – 5.2% abv
According to Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson, this–not Weihenstephaner, not Ayinger, not Bitburger, and certainly not the diacetyl-ridden nightmare fuel that is Pilsner Urquell–is the beer that inspired the brewery’s famous Pivo Pils. This Italian pilsner is drier and hoppier than a standard German or Czech variety, and is intensely appetizing. But that’s just part of the appeal. In order to preserve that bright, hoppy freshness, B. United worked closely with Birrificio Italiano to devise a process wherein the unfinished beer would shipped to the importer’s facility in Connecticut, then dry-hopped, lagered, and packaged there. Thus, we are getting incredibly fresh batches of the world’s best pilsner. You’re welcome.
OEC Coolship Lager – 5.2% abv
Aaaahhh, here’s the B. United we know, love, and worry about just a little bit. OEC (Ordinem Eccentrici Coctores, or “The Order of Eccentric Boilers”) is the onsite brewing arm of B. United, and they learned their craft from mad alien deities. This, however, is probably their tamest beer. Brewed using a traditional double decoction mash, the beer is then innoculated in their own coolship, before cool fermentation in open vessels. It’s then conditioned for several months with a traditional Czech lager yeast.
