Welcome to Beer Tastings, a series in which Utah Beer News highlights an interesting (and tasty) local brew. This time: Sir-Veza Mexican-style Lager from Bohemian Brewery. What are you drinking? Let us know!
Beer Tastings: Sir-Veza
Sir-Veza, a Mexican-style lager brewed by Utah’s preeminent lager brewery, is a beer for all seasons.
The crisp lager is the perfect refresher — so I’ve heard — after a long day spent carving turns on the ski slopes. For Utahns like me who don’t ski or snowboard, this is the time of year we’re dreaming of soft sandy beaches and warm summer breezes.
And a sip of Sir-Veza, coupled with an active imagination, transports us to a sun-soaked oasis.
Bohemian Brewery, a Utah lager powerhouse since 2001, makes this dual reality possible. Sir-Veza hit the scene in 2018 and quickly made a name for itself. It earned “Best New Beer” and “People’s Choice” honors at last year’s Brewstillery event in Salt Lake City.
And that’s when it clocked in at 4% ABV. Since November, lager lovers have been able to enjoy a more robust 4.7% version.
It pours a clear pale yellow with a soft white head that lingers. Aromas of cereal and a touch of lemon. It tingles on the tongue, with notes of cracker (Pilsner and Vienna malts) and a honey-like finishing sweetness. It complemented nicely a lemon-garlic halibut dish I fixed recently.
Oh, and that label! Día de Muertos meets Guns N’ Roses.
A Little Extra
Sir-Veza is one of many Utah beers that benefited from a November 2019 law change. Before, only beers up to 4% ABV could be served on draft in Utah or in the state’s grocery and convenience stores. On Nov. 1, the limit increased to 5%.
“It finally allows us (in most cases) to brew our heritage lager beers true to style,” Bohemian says. “For our customers, this means they are finally getting beers consistent in strength and hop profile with the classic and legendary lagers and ales of the world.”
Sir-Veza is available on draft at Bohemian Brewery and at various bars and restaurants around the state. It’s also — happily and readily — available in 12-ounce cans (with outstanding label artwork) at grocery and convenience stores.
Sir-Veza Stats
- Brewery: Bohemian Brewery
- ABV: 4.7%
- Serving Style: Can (12-ounce)
- Date Tasted: Jan. 3, 2020
- Purchase Location: Bohemian Brewery
Sir-Veza — Bohemian Brewery
Product Name: Sir-Veza Mexican-style Lager
Product Description: Sir-Veza is a Mexican-style Lager brewed by Bohemian Brewery. It pours a clear pale yellow with a soft white head. Aromas of cereal and a touch of lemon. It tingles on the tongue, with notes of cracker (Pilsner and Vienna malts) and a honey-like finishing sweetness. The original 4% ABV recipe got a slight shot in the arm on Nov. 1. That's when a Utah law went into effect allowing beer up to 5% ABV to be sold on draft and in grocery and convenience stores.
- Aroma
- Appearance
- Flavor
- Mouthfeel
Overall Impression
Sir-Veza, an award-winning Mexican-style Lager from Bohemian Brewery, is truly a beer for all seasons. It pairs equally well with a day of skiing as it does with an afternoon on the beach.
- Aroma: Cereal and a touch of lemon
- Appearance: Clear, pale yellow; a soft white head that lingers
- Flavor: Cracker and a honey-like finishing sweetness
- Mouthfeel: Crisp, tingles the tongue
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Notes: The tasting notes format is adapted from a Homebrew Academy Beer Tasting Mastery course I took in 2017. Utah Beer News is not compensated for beers mentioned in the Tastings series. A version of this article appeared on PorchDrinking.com.
