Mast Landing Good Graces

Good Graces is a lager from Mast Landing in Maine, filed under easy-drinking beer. That tells you what to expect: a restrained, clean-fermented beer built for repeat pours, not a showcase of big hops or heavy malt. No ABV or IBU is listed for this one, so treat the following as the usual profile for the style. Lagers in this lane generally land at modest strength, with a soft cracker-and-bread malt backbone, a light grassy or floral hop note, and bitterness kept low enough to stay out of the way. Expect a dry, crisp finish and little to no fruitiness, since cool lager fermentation suppresses the ester character found in ales. That profile makes it flexible at the table. Salty, fried and grilled food suits it best: fish and chips, fried chicken, pretzels, burgers, bratwurst, pizza and tacos. The carbonation and clean finish cut through grease and reset the palate between bites. It also works with lightly spiced dishes and with shellfish such as steamed clams or a lobster roll, where a delicate beer won't override the sweetness of the meat. Serve it cold, around 38 to 42°F (3 to 6°C). Lagers depend on chill to keep the finish crisp, and as the beer warms the malt can start to taste bready or slightly sweet. A standard pint glass or a tall pilsner glass or lager stange suits it, poured at a slight angle and then straightened to build a modest white head. A can or bottle also does the job at a cookout or on a boat, though pouring into a glass opens up the malt and hop aroma that a straight drink from the can hides.