Moniker Brewery Benjamin Estes Talks Lagered Hedonism 01

We spoke with Moniker Brewery Benjamin Estes about Lagered Hedonism 01.

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
This recipe is my baby. It’s been something I've been cooking up for a while and I was thrilled by the final result.

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
This beer’s quality is very true to what the Czechs drink. We use the Pilsner Urquell H-Strain to give it that signature Czech fermentation flavor, we ferment it cold, and we take our time lagering. We make a lot of super-clean lagers here at Moniker, so it’s been fun making our Czech series with a kiss of diacetyl.

What makes this beer truly World Class?
It's the culmination of many things. This beer is 10° Plato (original gravity) and attenuates to an easy-drinking 3.2% ABV. It employs great-quality Czech Saaz, along with some Sterling to give it a very pleasant hoppiness. It has that signature Czech fermentation flavor, with a touch of sulfur and breadiness from the pilsner malt with an impressive body, and a head that won’t quit. There aren’t many beers like this one produced in the States.

What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
This question is easy for me: 100% it’s Lagered Hedonism’s sessionability. I’ve been brewing professionally for over 15 years and having a beer with this much character and flavor that punches above its 3.2% ABV is so nice. It’s a beer you can keep returning to multiple times in a sitting.

How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
Our regulars love it when we have it on, but this beer’s most loyal fans are typically industry folks, both brewing and retail. We are a lager-heavy, neighborhood-oriented taproom that’s open seven days a week, so we see our fair share of our industry colleagues – all of whom adore this beer.

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