Arches Brewing Co-Founder Jeff Dake Talks Southside Lager

We spoke with Arches Brewing Co-Founder Jeff Dake about Southside Lager.

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe? 
Brewmaster Jamey Adams designed the original recipe for this beer at his home brewery in an attempt to taste/test the impact of decoction mashing versus the use of specialty grain.  He used a simple grain bill, all noble hops, and a Bavarian lager yeast strain to create a beer where differences in the subtleties of the flavor would be easiest to discern. After brewing this beer multiple times, we all grew to love the characteristic caramel flavor and deep color created through decoction and the crisp hop finish of this classic lager style. 

Where does this beer’s name come from? 
Southside Lager ties us back to our humble beginning on the south side of Atlanta.  We've been brewing beer on the south side for over a decade and this beer has been with us from the start.  It reminds us of where we came from, the community that embraced us, and the devoted fans that we have here on the south side.

Is this your “desert island beer?”
This beer is definitely a desert island beer.  Its flavor is versatile and simple, it's hard to get tired of (critical when you're facing the repetition of a desert island!).  It's crisp and light enough to refresh you after a hot day in the sun just as well as any of the traditional "lawn mower beers" such as pilsners.  The spicy hops give it a clean finish, ending each sip on a definitive note without exhausting the palate.  And at an easy drinking 5.4%, it'll help you stay hydrated on a tropical island.

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Caramel body, elegant noble hops, crisp, quintessential lager.

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
We have all suffered for the art of making this beer. Decoction mashing is quite dangerous and if/when you get it on your skin, by the time you realize it, it is too late. Working around boiling grain for the last 10 years has led to numerous burns, mostly minor, but with each searing incident, we added a new safety procedure to ensure that we do not repeat history in our attempt to repeat history. Some would question “why decoct your mash” in the era of specialty grains, step mashes, adjuncts, and the like. The answer is simple “The flavor of decoction cannot be reproduced by any other ingredients or shortcuts. Taste a Southside to find out!”  

What's a good food pairing for this beer? 
Southside pairs well with hearty flavors of traditional German cuisine: savory bratwurst, tart sauerkraut, crispy fried schnitzel, and a hearty pretzel with stone ground mustard. Southside is the perfect balance to all of these rich dishes, complementing without distracting from their flavors. It also holds up well next to more American backyard offerings like BBQ, burgers, and dogs.

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