Champagne Velvet
Upland Brewing Co.
Story by:
Steve Alvarez
Pre-Prohibition Lager
Year-Round
Indiana
United States
Judges Ratings 79
Aroma: 18 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40
Appearance: 4 / 6
Mouthfeel: 7 / 10
Overall Impression: 15 / 20
Description
Champagne Velvet is a Classic American Pilsner, reminiscent of what local beer tasted like before prohibition. The balance of corn and malted barley provides a golden straw color and subtle sweetness, reminding the drinker of a time when corn would be used to provide flavor and stability to beer. Cluster hops, the oldest variety grown in the United States, were used for bittering, and a late kettle addition of German Tettnang provides noble hop flavor and aroma. Grown in the southwest region of Germany where Anton Mayer was born before immigrating to the United States and taking over the Terre Haute Brewing Company, our choice of Tettnang hops are both a tribute to the man who would make Champagne Velvet’s original popularity possible while also adding a historically authentic ingredient to our recipe.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 5.50%
IBUs: 29
Served at: ()
Hops: Cluster, German Tettnang
Malts:
Judges Review
By Mike Castagno
Judges Ratings 79
Aroma: 18 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 35 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 4 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 7 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 15 / 20 / 20
Lactic acid, sulfur dioxide and isovaleric acid are the initial aromatics here with lemon, grassy hops, and a winey Sauvignon Blanc character to follow. Brilliant clarity allows the straw-yellow color to radiate. There is a strong flavor of tetrahydropyridine, which presents in the form of bran flakes. A subtle grainy malt character is underneath. The beer is very crisp and bright with high carbonation and a very dry finish. The character of this beer is more like a traditional Premium American Lager rather than a Pre-Prohibition Lager since the corn, body and bitterness are lacking and the beer finishes crisp and dry rather than soft and creamy. This would be a refreshing beer after a hard day of yard work.
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