Real Texas Light Lager - Real Ale Review
Craft brewers have a unique way of keeping us intrigued and uncomfortable. Both of which have propelled the industry forward. Brewing is an art, and art should often border on the controversial. But one style of beer makes me very uncomfortable when my brand favorites attempt it: the light lager.
Why? You may ask. Well, for one, many companies already do this (occasionally) wimpy beer quite well, and at a much cheaper price. And many of my favorite craft beers have attempted the style and left a bad taste in my mouth, in the most literal sense possible. But Mr. Brew, shouldn’t we support our craft brewers over those macro brewers? And to that I say: Hell yes! So let’s do it, even if they do attempt the beer style that feels very anti-craft beer.
Real Ale Real Texas Light Lager comes in at 4.2% ABV, 10 IBU, with, because I know this is important to light beer drinkers, 95 Calories and 2.5 carbs. With our minds wrapped around something light and sessionable, let’s get to drinking.
First Impression:
On the Eyes--Pale yellow and crystal clear with little head formation.
On the Nose--Light and crisp with a gentle floral hop aroma. And our minds are still open!
On the Palate--Very, and I do mean very, light with a mild malt sweetness, light body, and a touch of gentle hoppiness. It finishes slightly dry and clean with a mild sweetness that fades quickly. It’s easy to drink, easy on the stomach, and can be paired with any foods you like.
Final Thoughts:
I am a great lover of Real Ale and how they planted a world class brewery in the small Hill Country town of Blanco, TX, and they are truly one of the brands that started my passion for craft brewing, but Real Texas Light is not for me. And I’m not sure it’s a style for craft brewing at all. This is not the first not-good light lager I’ve had from a great brewer, which makes me wonder if it really is an anti-craft-beer beer. All styles are available to brewers, but some macro brands, as hard as it is to admit, have nailed the light beer meant for all-day and summer drinking.
It’s difficult for me to see where this beer fits into Real Ale’s line-up, and while I applaud them for making a light beer with their fellow Texans melting under a July sun in mind, I think it lacks flavor, and even a little body, making it feel like a beer-flavored sparkling water over a beer. It is certainly sessionable, and easy to drink, and if you feel unmovable fealty to Real Ale, or craft beer in general, give it a try and form your own opinion—it could certainly be different from mine. But, and I’m not joking, I struggled to find this beer because it was at the FAR end of the cheap beer section.
If you’re worried about calories, or if this is the thing you’ve been waiting for from craft brewing, go forward with courage!
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Read about the Real Ale gem that made Mr. Brew fall in love with craft brew.