Mash Gang Brewski

Mash Gang’s beers tend to be on the more esoteric and experimental side of low-alcohol brewing. In months past we’ve had a fizzy gummy worm Berliner, hopped marmalade and an IPA the colour of skimmed milk, whereas more recently there’s been an experimental hazy pale ale flavoured with highly sweet frosted cereals – Unlucky Charms, and a strawberry and vanilla white stout looking like a milkshake – Neskveik. All small batch special edition brews, all selling out within hours or a few days of release. It’s sometimes difficult for a slowpoke such as myself to get my hands on Mash Gang cans in time to review the latest cool kids favourite (insert Steve Buscemi high-school meme here), so I was overjoyed when the lads announced that they’d be starting up a ‘core range’ – beers that should be available all year round, within reason.

Brewski is Mash Gang’s core range lager, and boy have they nailed it with the name. Billed as a ‘premium brewed rustic lager’, they’ve eschewed all the weird ingredients, apart from their beloved ancient Norwegian kveik yeast, and have brewed a beer in the style of French supermarket beers – you know the ones, tiny green bottles that disappear in a gulp or two. Sticking with the classic Hallertau hops, its also undergone a long cold conditioning process to draw out the flavours. Mash Gang have previously released their ‘dad beer’ Stoop, which was a highly-drinkable pilsner, with maybe a few quirks here and there. Can Brewski top it?

Pouring out the beer from the can (another gold-plated 440ml triumph) we get a dark amber coloured liquid with a slight haze to it (it’s unfiltered). A big foamy head is produced, the best I’ve seen yet in a Mash Gang beer, and what’s more it sticks around and gives some great lacing as we drink. On the nose we get hoppy peppery spice, lager malt and earthy grass. I think I also detect a slight citrus note at the end (though I hope it’s not my washing-up liquid!).

Crisp lager malt greets us as we taste, with a good biscuity base, and more of that Hallertau spice in the background. There’s also an earthy tone to the flavour – there’s the ‘rustic’-ness! Mouthfeel is great with a light body and tingly carbonation. Very refreshing. We get a dry finish to the drink.

Mash Gang Brewski shows just how far the brewing collective has progressed since their 2020 lockdown inception. They’re now bringing out alcohol-free lagers of such quality they’re wiping the floor with the macro offerings. Any lager-fan should be happy to down a Brewski, be it nolo or not, and I really hope that the Gang has a load of this conditioning in a brewing vat somewhere, ready for the summer beer rush. Because it’s sure to sell out, like all their other offerings!

Buy Mash Gang Brewski

Mash Gang’s beers sell out quickly, but you might be able to nab some directly from their online store if you’re quick. Otherwise you’ll have to provide one of these online stores with your custom:

Nutritional Information (per 100ml, taken from the side of the can)
ABV	0.5%
Additional nutritional information not given. Boo, hiss!
Ingredients
Water, Malted Barley, Maltodextrin, Hops, Yeast, Chilli, Szechuan Pepper, Potassium Sorbate
Additional Information
Country of Production	United Kingdom
Brewer	Mash Gang – https://mashgang.beer/
Gluten Free?	No
Vegan Friendly?	Yes