From the Beer Writer: To watch a young brewer find their way can be very rewarding, particularly when their progress shows up in the glass. Dos Desperados Brewery head brewer Hayden Weir has only been at the fermentation game for a relatively short time, but his enthusiasm and passion for the craft is inspiring. So, too, are the beers he has been introducing over the past year and the smarts he displays in utilizing one of San Diego’s best natural resources…veteran brewing expertise. Knowing that lagers are a different animal, he sought out assistance from the county’s foremost lager expert (you should know who he is by now, but if you don’t, he’s fittingly named below). Lessons learned through such tutelage are on display in Dos Desperados’ Helles-style lager, Lager Magnifico. It’s a boastful name and this beer will likely be refined over time, but it’s tasting very good now. A semi-funky lager-yeast character is at the forefront, giving way to a light, honey-like sweetness that in no way takes away from the immense drinkability of this everyday crusher, which will be perfect once hallmark heat returns to North County.
From the Brewer: “Our Lager Magnifico is a German-style Helles lager. Our goal was to create a clean and crisp lager without any faults. All malts used are from German maltster Weyermann, giving our beer clean, bready, malt notes. Subtle floral notes from Saaz and Millennium hops round out the whirlpool addition, creating a refreshing brew. Our friend Douglas Hasker at Gordon Biersch gave me a short but detailed rundown on his expertise in secondary fermentation to help guide me through the important process of diacetyl rest and regulation of temperatures for the Weihenstephaner yeast we used. Brewing this lager has added so many tools to my kit as a brewer, from purchasing spunding valves to assisting with natural carbonation, installing a new 20-barrel tank, and double-batching. Dialing in this lager recipe will lead to future recipes of Vienna lagers and pilsners that I cannot wait to brew.”—Hayden Weir, Head Brewer, Dos Desperados Brewery
