Barke Vienna #52 - Spring 2021

Barke is a particularly flavorful variety of springtime barley, grown in the German states of Saxony and Thuringia, and is used for brewing traditional styles of lager there. This barley brings strong aromatics and power, while at the same time an openness and sense of levity. We brewed a Vienna-style Lager with it, a slightly more malt-forward style than Pilsner, to lean into this barley’s natural strengths. This approach produces a rich golden-colored lager beer with a light natural turbidity that we prefer to leave intact as a signature of this delicious grain, and a persistent cream-colored, fine-grained head. Opening with highly aromatic sweet-straw, spearmint, baking spices, and warm cedar, overtones of fresh spring earth come up, bringing a sense of vitality and vibrancy. With a strong mid-palate and a powerful initial approach, the beer transitions into a very fresh, long finish.