Up until now, the second half of 2023, Akasha’s core range has been hop-focused, even as it covered a range of flavour and sessionability. But a sneaky lager has slipped its way in: Super Chill Lager. Not to be confused with Akasha’s Super Chill in a green can, which is a Pacific ale with a light tropical haze, this beer isn’t here for the hops.
It uses chit malt, which is malt that’s juuuuust started germinating before the maltsters chuck it in the oven to stop it. Since it hasn’t gone as far through the germination process as other malts, it hasn’t broken down as much complex starch into sugars for the yeast to eat, leaving more long protein chains for fuller mouthfeel. In other words: chit malt adds body.
When you first make contact with Super Chill, it seems like it’s going to be all crisp and dry, but then you realise you can feel the weight of it in your mouth. It’s got enough body for you to feel it – though not enough to catch on the tongue before it shoots down your throat.
The beer opens up a little in your mouth with a touch of grainy malt sweetness and light bitterness from the Saaz hops. It’s there… but then it’s gone. Then it's there again (because you went back for more).
No light tropical haze here.
Mick Wüst
If you're reading this before October 24, we've got a competition running for members of our beer club, The Crafty Cabal, to win cases of the beer. More here.
Published September 28, 2023 2023-09-28 00:00:00
