Judge’s Review: 89 Rating – Light Work Lager by Evasion Brewing Co.

Alternative Grain Beer | Year-Round | USA

By John C. Tull

Judges Rating: 89.00
Aroma: 22.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 35.00
Mouthfeel: 9.00
Overall Impression: 17.00

This beer is judged as a BJCP Alternative Grain Beer (31A) with an American Lager (1b) base style.
The aroma is clean with a slightly corn or rice-like sweetness. Hop aromas are negligible, lending a very subtle earthy and herbal quality. This beer pours a very pale straw and absolutely clear. There is no real head, not unexpected for a gluten free beer as the protein structures for head development and retention are lacking in such grains.
The flavor is considerably more hoppy than anticipated from the aroma. A touch of residual sweetness from grains or syrups provides some balance to the hops despite being non-traditional gluten-free grains and/or adjuncts. The flavor is relatively herbal, almost a touch minty. Its sweetness lends a slightly cloying quality in the finish.
The mouthfeel is more round on the palate than anticipated for a gluten free beer, and the carbonation lends a little bite of carbonic astringency into the mix. This is a difficult category of beer to make and to judge as it doesn’t fit neatly into the expectations of the base style it is being compared against (or any style, really).
As a fermented product that is entirely gluten free, this is an exceptionally well made beer that provides characteristics of a more traditional malt-based beer with an extra nudge of hops for flavor and depth. If you are limited to gluten free products, this beer will deliver a satisfying experience, particularly if you crave a hoppy American Lager-esque beverage. It is also worth trying if you are simply curious about what can be accomplished in a gluten free beer.