Irish lagers/Pils vs established german/czech styles

[Eoin]

So following on from http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,3307.0.html that thread I decided to check out some Irish lagers.

I went for Hersbruecker this weekend from PH.
I was impressed with the water treatment, it is a soft water being used, but I was not impressed with the bittering hops at all. The varieties were uncouth and out of place, I'm not sure it's a pils.

I'll update with the different ones as time goes on. I've had Creans before and was pretty unimpressed, I'll try it again within the bounds of this article from the bottle and report back.

I had this side by side with Rothaus and Spaten, so I had some premium examples for comparison.

[Ciderhead]

I am regularly hoofing southern German and Swiss pils at 2 of my suppliers in europe and have to agree, I don't think we are brewing anything true to style here.
This style can be very tricky as it picks up the slightest off flavour, and personally I have thrown 2 down the drain (before I had fermentation fridge).
Are PH covering their tracks with hop loading or is it because PH wanted to differentiate themselves from some of the generics out there and go for it on the hop loading, in any case even though I am a lager drinker, I don't drink it because its not their finest and they have better offerings. 

[Eoin]

I am regularly hoofing southern German and Swiss pils at 2 of my suppliers in europe and have to agree, I don't think we are brewing anything true to style here.
This style can be very tricky as it picks up the slightest off flavour, and personally I have thrown 2 down the drain (before I had fermentation fridge).
Are PH covering their tracks with hop loading or is it because PH wanted to differentiate themselves from some of the generics out there and go for it on the hop loading, in any case even though I am a lager drinker, I don't drink it because its not their finest and they have better offerings.

I think they are just using some different hops to be different and not classic. Galena and Nugget are named in the hop bill.

It may come close to a North German pils style, but I simply can't get over the earthy dirty hops that are used for bittering, not at all noble

If I find anything true to style I will eat my words....so far...not tasted anything close.

[irish_goat]

I'll update with the different ones as time goes on. I've had Creans before and was pretty unimpressed, I'll try it again within the bounds of this article from the bottle and report back.

Crean's from a bottle is contract brewed abroad, rumour has it by Tennants. The draught version isn't great either though, usually suffers from diacetyl. Had a chat with Tim O'Rouke, their brewing consultant and he reckons it's down to a lack of lagering time, perhaps because they are rushing it out.

Fair play for having a proper stab at tasting them.

[Eoin]

I'll update with the different ones as time goes on. I've had Creans before and was pretty unimpressed, I'll try it again within the bounds of this article from the bottle and report back.

Crean's from a bottle is contract brewed abroad, rumour has it by Tennants. The draught version isn't great either though, usually suffers from diacetyl. Had a chat with Tim O'Rouke, their brewing consultant and he reckons it's down to a lack of lagering time, perhaps because they are rushing it out.

Fair play for having a proper stab at tasting them.

Tennants.....ok so nothing surprising is going to await me there then.

I think there is a style missing and it's Irish/English lagers, cos they have sweet FA to do with their continental counterparts.


I can't be seen to be a moaner without doing some empirical research, it's for science and all that, I will take one for the team

[Saruman (Reuben Gray)]

Hooker's Pilsner is excellent when available, as is Bohemia Pilsner from 8 degrees usually.

I rather like hersbrucker myself any time I have had it. Usually in bottle when it's past its best by date and going for €1 in drinkstore though 

[Eoin]

Hooker's Pilsner is excellent when available, as is Bohemia Pilsner from 8 degrees usually.

I rather like hersbrucker myself any time I have had it. Usually in bottle when it's past its best by date and going for €1 in drinkstore though 

Bohemia is not bad......I'd need to have a go again with this review specifically in mind.

I've not seen any pils from Hooker, I'd be sure to try it if I did and will keep an eye out for it.

[Eoin]

Eoin, I actually think you're only half on the right track...

What malts are being used in Irish brewed lagers? Who is using Weyermann and who is using UK or Irish malt?

I never thought of the local malt aspect. That's certainly worth looking at also.

[delzep]

Very impressed with Five Lamps lager....refreshing, crisp and full flavoured. Only had it on draught though

[mr hoppy]

I think 8 degrees is a decent lager - but I'd have a strong suspicion it's fermented with a german lager yeast rather than a czech one.

[delzep]

I remember you saying that. I believe that the 5 Lamps lads are in the process of setting up their brewery at the mo though...presumably somewhere around North Strand

[irish_goat]

5 Lamps is made in 8 Degrees although their brewery kit is arriving now and getting set up somewhere in the Coombe/behind St.Jame's. Bo Bristle make Carraig Lager.

Incidentally, 8 Degrees did training at VLB in Berlin so they may have been persuaded there to stick with German over Czech yeast.

[Eoin]

OK, so last night I tried 8 Degrees Bohmemain barefoot, this one is a lot better than anything I've tasted so far and is certainly very close to style, water treatment is good, hop schedule seems about correct and hop types seem good too. It's no Budwar, but it's certainly not a bad beer.

I have a Tom Creans to try tonight, I know they are using 34/70 as I talked to them at a stand at one point, I think taste of Xmas was the event. I don't hold out much hope for this one.

I'll grab a five lamps over the next few days....science is hard work

[mr hoppy]

Really liked O'Hara's helles when I had it in B&C recently.

[Eoin]

Last night I had a Creans lager to try out. I did get a bit of malt toastiness in this one, not a lot though, so I think that Shane is on the right track with the malt. Water seemed ok, soft enough, hop profile was very smooth.

In all this is quite a good attempt again, malt is the best so far, but still not a bamberg special

Five Lamps is probably next on the agenda. I've not seen O'Hara Helles about, is it tap only?