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Lao Wang Lager, Caution Brewing Co., Denver and Lakewood
Style: Lager
Serving Type: 16-ounce can
ABV: 5.1 percent
Hop Meter (1–10): 4
Malt Meter (1–10): 5
Reviewed: July 2015
If you’re anything like me, you can’t go a week without a hearty noodle bowl. Pho. Ramen. Udon. And so on. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with crafting the perfect bowl at home. I’ve got kombu for dashi, star anise to drop into a bubbling bowl of broth, and bonito flakes to add that extra something. And, of course, lots and lots of sriracha. I even bought cheap plastic bowls at Pacific Mercantile Company. But try as I might, I just couldn’t replicate the experiencing of sitting at the counter at a noodle shop.
That is until inspiration hit me in the shape of a can of Caution Brewing Co.’s Lao Wang Lager. This lager is brewed with a mixture of spices perfected at South Federal Boulevard’s Lao Wang Noodle Shop (a restaurant developed by the parents of one of Caution’s owners). And while this easy-to-drink brew stands on its own, it excels when paired with food.
(Read more beer reviews from 5280 editors)
While the spice notes—is that cinnamon, or anise, or allspice?—take center stage, they aren’t so overpowering that you feel like you’ve popped your head into a spice store. Nor do the flavors mask the delicate crispness that should come with a lager. The pour reveals a pale yellow color with a light, but robust head (read: nice lacing). All of which meant that after pouring a glass of this brew and setting it next to my spicy noodle bowl, I had finally perfected my at-home spicy salmon noodle bowl. Thanks Caution!
The Ideal Drinker: The person who loves to pair food with beer.
(Check out 5280’s comprehensive guide to Colorado’s craft beer scene)
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