When it comes to beer, the two main product divisions are ales and lagers, depending on which type of yeast is used in the brewing process. Ale yeasts live at the top of the tank and ferment at temperatures closer to room temperature, while lagers are bottom-fermented at temps closer to freezing. This means that lagers are a little more expensive to make power-wise and take longer to finish — about six to eight weeks compared to three to five for an ale.
For a craft beer brewery, tying up tank space for that extra time can be an expensive proposition, especially when your fans demand new beers all the time. However, for mega breweries, massive tanks are relatively cheap compared to the cost of Super Bowl ads, which is why the most successful national brands are all lagers. Think Bud, Miller, Coors, plus international powerhouses like Stella Artois, Corona, Heineken and Modelo.
Obviously many consumers prefer the crispness of a lager or pilsner, while ale fans would describe them as less robust and frankly, more dull. Personally, my palate is more ecumenical, surprising considering I once actually thought that the Schmidt that came in the twelve-pack with the fish on it tasted worse than the one with the deer. Now I like a hoppy IPA on occasion as much as a malty bock when the time is right for it.
Locally, ales rule with only Little Harpeth really emphasizing a lot of lagers in their lineup, but Tennessee Brew Works has finally come around to releasing their first lager ever in their almost decade of brewing in Nashville. Urban Hiker will officially cross the bar for the first time on Friday, Aug. 20, with a special release of draft and six-packs of 12-ounce bottles at the brewery at 809 Ewing Ave. in Nashville, followed by limited distribution in Middle Tennessee, Clarksville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.Â
Urban Hiker features a label designed by TBW’s Pie Town neighbor and brewery partner, Bryce McCloud. The hiker in question is inspired by the brewery’s sales associate Alyssa Gayle, who has worked there for six years. Created and brewed under the direction of head brewer Matt Simpson, Urban Hiker is a 4.2 percent ABV light-bodied lager that promises a slightly sweet malty backbone and floral hops that barely even approach bitterness at only 15 IBUs. Simpson has brewed many lagers during his career, but this is his first at Tennessee Brew Works.
It makes sense that Tennessee Brew Works takes on this challenge because they have the first Meura Micro Mash Filter ever installed in America. This piece of equipment is basically a much smaller version of the same grain filtering systems used by the humongous national breweries that specialize in light lagers, and it allows for a much quicker brewing process with better grain extraction and less usage of natural resources. While it might only save a couple hours — and that certainly doesn’t make up for the extra time in tanks — at least they are replicating a similar process to how the mega-lagers are made. (But I’m imagining much better, thanks to Simpson.)
“Creating a great lager is one of the pinnacles of accomplishment for a brewer,” says Christian Spears, founder and president, of Tennessee Brew Works. “We are proud to showcase this brilliant Tennessee lager, conceived by one of the most talented brew teams in the region. It goes down really easy too. Whether you are trailblazing the Tennessee countryside or bar crawling between your favorite watering holes, pack your Urban Hiker for light, crisp refreshment. The name dually alludes to Tennessean’s favorite weekend pastime enjoying the state’s brilliant scenic trails and, conversely, the bar crawl between the famed honkytonks or local watering holes.”
Just in time for the doggiest dog days of summer, Tennessee Brew Works may just have come up with the sipper we need. I can’t wait to find out!
