Lagerboy Speaks – Laverstoke Organic Real Lager

As the days begin to finally lengthen, Lagerboy stirs from his sluggish hibernation – dreams of carbonation and CO2 prickle soon to give way to reality. Winter’s no fun for a fizzhound – it’s hard to laze by a roaring open fire with a Kölsch – so he tends to go to ground during the months with lots of letters in them. However, climate change being what it is, Lagerboy has emerged a tad early – and is keen to set about his latest conquest.

Cartoons and motor racing might immediately bring to mind the much-missed Wacky Races – but the playful label of (the lengthily-named) Laverstoke Park Farm Organic Real Lager (4.5%) reveals the gentleman behind this particular golden treat to be 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter. Having retired from the life of fast cars (having raced in an age where retirement was a decidedly rare outcome), he started a farm in Hampshire.

Keen to be organic and biodynamic (which must be the new organic), Jody’s Laverstoke Farm also grows hops and barley – and being a thirsty South African, beer was very quickly on the agenda. Brewed at contract-kings Hepworth’s, the lager looks a beauty – brilliantly clear gold, with a thin collection of bubbled lacing clinging to the edges. The aroma is grassy and malty, with some caramel in evidence.

Unfortunately, the flavours are a slight let-down. It’s dry and grassy, leading into an earthy, slightly metallic finish. Not every lager needs to be a world-beater, of course (indeed, to some that statement would be an oxymoron). As such, there’s nothing wrong with Laverstoke Farm’s effort – it’s perfectly drinkable, organic, and has a fetching label. But at the end of the day, it’s no Ferrari.

Laverstoke Park Farm website