Pistonhead Flat Tire Lager

A successful low-alcohol version of the full-strength Flat Tire, this UK-only dry hopped offer from Sweden’s innovative Brutal Brewing Company might have a name that seems to deliberately deflate expectations, but it delivers the goods. If you can get beyond skull-heavy branding that seems to set you up for a night round a blazing oil barrel with the local chapter of Hells Angels, what emerges from the can is a fairly lively mid-gold brew with plenty of bite and – well chilled – a solid kick of refreshment. Barley malt and the dry bitterness of its Mosaic and Centennial hops are the dominant notes, the citrus sharpness on the palate combining with the malt to deliver a whack of beery bitterness at the back of the throat – something that could well give this lager the edge for those missing their full-strength beers.