A Premium Lager
Dugges Ale & Porterbryggeri, Gothenburg 4.7% ABV. Systembolaget Article Number 1413. 24.90SEK (500ml bottle)
This lager has a rich golden amber body (far more colour than a standard macro lager) and topped with a 'bubble bath' white head that recedes quite quickly but what's left sticks to the glass stubbornly. To look at it reminds me more of an American Pale Ale than a normal lager.
Very soft nose of fresh peaches and apricots and none of the pine or grapefruit I was expecting. This combines nicely with grain, some young wood and a drop of honey. It's all rather mild and pleasant and working in harmony. Perhaps a shade too subdued for a Dugges....?
This is a VERY drinkable lager. OK, so there's nothing it does exceptionally well but then there's nothing it does badly either. The peach and apricot sweetness is the first thing you pick up, complemented by some nice light biscuit malt (like Mariekex) before a mild and crisp green tea bitter finish. It is softly carbonated and leans towards an ale in terms of mouth feel, only adding to the drinkability factor in my book.
This premium lager would pair well with Asian food, grilled halloumi (which I tried it with - delicious!), crayfish, pork, chicken and pizza. It is also the sort of beer you can enjoy on its own. A real thirst quencher!
Nerd note
This is the first ever lager from Gothenburg-based Dugges, a Swedish craft brewery that is well known for its eye-catching 'Miami Vice' style bottle labels and cheeky brand names (such as Bollox!). Hallertau Brewers Gold, Cascade and Columbus provide the hop hit and lend a soft fruitiness that lifts it well clear of standard lagers to somewhere just short of American Pale Ale territory. It's not particularly ground-breaking but then neither are ZZ Top but I like listening to their music every now and again. Great first lager release from Dugges - more please!
Rating
3.0 of 5
