Geoff Middleton’s cousin LJ Middleton was never much of a fan of craft beer. Coors Light was just fine with him.
For years Geoff, owner and head brewer at Everett’s Middleton Brewing, tried but could never make a beer that would make his cousin, who worked for Columbia Distributing, put down his American lagers.
So when LJ passed away last February, Middleton gave it one last shot and brewed a beer that he felt LJ would finally approve of. The beer, Who the F is Larry? Is named for LJ and is the type of beer, a light, crisp, no-frills Mexican lager, that Geoff said his cousin would likely enjoy. Or not.
“I like to think LJ would like it, but I don’t know, he probably would have just drank his Coors Light,” Middleton said, with a laugh.
The beer is very refreshing. Based on a Vienna lager recipe and brewed with Vienna and pilsner malts, it’s a simple beer that is perfect for those looking for refreshment on a hot afternoon. It’s got the soft mouthfeel of a good lager and nobody would be blamed for dropping a slice of lime in it.
“I see it as a great substitute for a Bud Light Lime,” Middleton said.
Middleton Brewing has joined fellow south Everett brewers Lazy Boy Brewing and Crucible Brewing for a Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl on May 5. Along with Middleton’s Mexican lager, Lazy Boy has made a spicy version of its Just Beer lager and Crucible brewed Bad Hombre, its take on a Mexican lager.
Mexican lagers, characterized by light color, toned-down hop profile and slight bready flavor, are actually descendents of Vienna-style lagers. The lineage, some argue, can be traced back to when Maximilian I, who was born in Vienna, became Emperor of Mexico. After his death in 1867, German and Austrian immigrants carried on the tradition of brewing Vienna-style lagers. Today, they come in the form of Corona, Tecate, Modelo, Pacifico, Victoria and more.
My recommendation this Cinco de Mayo: Skip all those everyday brands and try three different versions of what Everett brewers believe a Mexican lager should taste like.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl: South Everett breweries Crucible Brewing, Lazy Boy Brewing and Middleton Brewing are hosting a pub crawl from 2 p.m. to close May 5 at all three locations. All three breweries will be pouring their own Mexican-style lagers. Cruicble: 909 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett; Lazy Boy: 715 100th St. SE, Everett; Middleton: 607 SE Everett Mall Way, Suite 27-A, Everett.
Here’s a look at some other Mexican-inspired beers on tap at local breweries this Cinco de Mayo:
Backfire, Whitewall Brewing: Pale ale brewed with jalapenos, Anaheim and serrano peppers and cara cara oranges and coriander.
Agave Lime Hefeweizen, Haywire Brewing: Made with agave nectar and fresh zested limes.
Packing Heat and Si Senor, At Large Brewing: Jalapeno American wheat beer and Mexican lager.
Jalapeno Tripel 7, Scuttlebutt Brewing: Brewed with jalapeno and serrano peppers, this Belgian-style ale is sweet with a little heat. Also available in 22-ounce bottles at local bottleshops.
Also on this week’s taster tray:
Wooly Wit, Haywire Brewing: Witbier made with orange peel and coriander. Available on tap at the brewery.
Dank AF, Sumerian Brewing: Rotating IPA series brewed with CTZ, Amarillo and Simcoe hops. Available on tap at the brewery.
Fn Wheat IPA, Foggy Noggin Brewing: Using German wheat malt, this IPA has a bright, refreshing quality and full hop character. Available on tap at the brewery.
Cloudlifter Kolsch, Dreadnought Brewing: Clean, crisp beer that balances pilsner malts and Saaz hops. Available on tap at the brewery.
Creative Control, Commercial Control, Skookum Brewery: IPA brewed with oats and wheat and hopped with Enigma, Summer, Mosaic and Chinook hops. Available on tap at the brewery.
Hazy Boy, Lazy Boy Brewing: Made with copious amounts of flaked oaks and Azacca, El Dorado, Amarillo and Citra hops, this milkshake IPA is dreamy. Available on tap at the brewery.
Drink this
Who the F is Larry?
Middleton Brewing, Everett
Style: Mexican lager
Stats: 5.5 percent ABV
Available: On tap at the brewery
From the brewery: A crisp and refreshing lager made in the spirit of Mexican lagers and with subtle hints of citrus.
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