Tiny Dots
The starting point, for most of us, is lager. Whether you’re ‘in’ the beer world, somewhere adjacent to it, or not in the least, lager will likely have been your introduction to beer.
As such, our perception of lager can often shape our perception of beer as a whole: when people unfamiliar with the breadth of beer say they ‘don’t like the flavour of beer’, they’re most commonly referring to the taste of mass-produced lager (the exception often being bitter). Lager is, too, the most popular beer style in the world: it’s enjoyed the world over, even by those who might not necessarily consider themselves ‘beer drinkers’.
We wanted to include a pilsner in our core range not just because lager is one of my absolute favourite styles (it’s not far behind witbier in my estimations), but because of the above, too. I want Queer Brewing beers to begin to bridge the gaps between those who’ve been overlooked by the beer industry and the industry itself—how better to do that than present drinkers whose options are often limited to a range of mass-produced, often rather bland lagers with a beautifully-made, flavourful pilsner?
It’s this conversion and accessibility I think about often. How can we make our beer as easy as possible for the consumer to enjoy? What barriers are there present within certain styles that might dissuade a drinker from returning? Often present within rustic, Bavarian-style pilsners is a big, often-abrasive bitterness. Whilst this is a characteristic I love, I know that to, say, an average lager drinker, this might put them off—I remember handing my mum a big, bitter pils and it being too intense for her palate.
As a result, Tiny Dots is a soft, gentle pilsner. It still bursts with subtle floral and herbaceous notes from the Saaz and Tettnang (the same hops as Flowers), layered over a lightly malty pilsner base. It has a crisp, dry finish, which leaves you refreshed and wanting more.
Tiny Dots is my absolute ideal of an easy-drinking pilsner. As with the other beers, there’s enough to dissect if you’re interested in the workings of the beer itself, but it’s so easy-going that it doesn’t force contemplation. It’s the third in a range of everyday, any-situation beers, and I think you’re going to love it.
Lily — Queer Brewing Founder