CLOUDWATER Vienna Lager / 6% / £5.50 pint / Port Street Beer House
I say Cloud, you say Water. Cloud! Water! Cloud! Water! I say this with no disrespect but you sincerely must have had your head, both figuratively and literally, up your arse if you’ve somehow avoided a Cloudwater beer since their inception in spring 2015. That’s not to say they’re pouring it down your throats. They’re not carrying booze cannons at Leeds festival, they’re not sponsoring the Jonathan Ross show, they’re not giving out free bottles in Piccadilly Station. They’re just making great beer, and it keeps on getting better. The current Winter range is to die for.
Their Autumn range wasn’t too shabby either. Luckily, in this modern age, you get the odd chance to hark back to a golden (or rather amber!) era. And so, it was with eager eyes that I laid gaze upon Autumn’s Criterion Collection Vienna Lager doing a star turn on keg at Port Street Beer House. I remember you, old girl. Or did I? Did I get to try it first time around? That famous name “Vienna Lager” conjures up such familiarity that I simply must have. Better have another just in case diddle I!
This is insatiable two-thirds-of-a-pint stuff. Call it the dark night sky of 5pm but I was none more ready for this Vienna Lager. I’ve had a few Vienna Lagers before and I’m no expert but this was a triumph. It’s maltier and darker than your trad lager, amber in hue. It’s crisp, it’s fun, it’s fresh. Would you able to drain one as you might an everyman premium lager? Oh don’t worry, this is super moreish but you’re gonna wanna savour those precious drops. I accidentally raced through mine and now it’s just run out at Port Street. Such cruel fate! When will I see your kind again, Vienna Lager? It could be some time. I miss you already. VIENNNAAAAAAAAA!
Luckily I can take solace in the aforementioned Cloudwater seasonal Winter wardrobe. The Stout on cask at The Smithfield Tavern a while back was killer. The Custard Porter from Bottle Stop in Bramhall went down a treat at Christmas. The IPA and Bitter on cask at Port Street recently was divine. The Dark Lager from Piccadilly Tap tres scorchio. Who can forget the famous Double IPA Day pre-Winter range back in November? Gorgeous George! That was a beer highlight of the year FOR SURE. Fresh to death it was, it literally put me to bed after one 9% bottle at two in the afternoon. I awoke stronger and better than ever, mind, and chased two more bottles down the rabbit hole.
Big fan of the gotta catch ‘em all mentality that each new range brings. Luckily you’ve got all season long to indulge and not just a weekend, otherwise there’d be Black Friday scenes aplenty.
Check out Cloudwater at their open brewery every Saturday where you can drink direct from the tap, take a tour, or take away.
Look out for the Cloudwater and Port Street Beer House collaboration beer, an as yet unnamed Tea Sour, coming to Port Street on Thursday 28th January 2016 in celebration of Port Street Beer House’s 5th Birthday
