Good Word Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals is a lager from Good Word in Georgia, sold in the easy-drinking beer category. The details given don't include an ABV, IBU or official tasting notes, so what follows describes what lagers in this class usually deliver, not a measured profile of this beer. Expect a clean, crisp body with light grain, cracker or bready malt sweetness, and only modest hop bitterness that stays in the background. Lagers fermented cold and conditioned tend to finish dry, with little of the fruity yeast character found in ales. That makes them straightforward to drink in volume and a useful reference point for tasting a brewery's technique, since there is little for flaws to hide behind. Serve it cold, around 38 to 45°F (3 to 7°C). Colder than that mutes the malt, while a few degrees of warming as the glass sits brings out more grain character. A standard pint glass or a tall pilsner glass suits it. Pour at a slight angle, then straighten the glass to build a finger or two of foam, which releases the aroma and keeps the beer lively. The light body and restrained bitterness make it a flexible partner for food. It works with salty and fried dishes such as wings, fries, fish tacos and pretzels, and it cuts through the fat in smoked sausage, burgers and barbecue without overwhelming them. Mild cheeses and simple pizza also fit. Very spicy dishes will be easier to manage with a cold lager than with a heavily hopped beer.