For Rob Miller, the journey of beer creation is deeply rooted in tradition, but with an intentional twist. For the head brewer and co-owner of Maple Lake, Minnesota’s Dangerous Man Brewing, Miller is no stranger to pushing boundaries while paying homage to the roots of brewing.
One of his latest projects, brewing a Lichtenhainer, highlights this balance between the past and present, tapping into the essence of historical beer styles while adding a modern flair.
For Miller, the decision to explore classic styles has been part of a larger vision at the brewery, positioned around 50 miles north by northwest of Minneapolis.
“We’ve always had historical styles in our repertoire, but now, as a distribution-only brewery, the process has become more intentional,” Miller said.
He acknowledges that their brand has always catered to true beer enthusiasts, creating beers that challenge perceptions while honoring the fundamentals of brewing. Pursuing traditional styles is a conscious step to “get back to the basics” of beer-making, reconnecting with its rich history.
With over 11 years of professional brewing experience and an additional eight years of homebrewing, Miller had never attempted to brew a Lichtenhainer before. The excitement of tackling a new style was palpable recalls co-owner Sarah Bonvallet.
“Rob was giddy the night before brewing it.” she said ‘I was like, ’Aren’t you nervous?’ and he said, ’No… just excited!'”
The Lichtenhainer is a unique style with roots in German brewing traditions. It’s a smoked sour beer that combines two often challenging flavor profiles.
“For this beer, we focused mainly on the malt bill and getting the right amount of smoked malt,” Miller said. Smoked beers, like a Rauchbier, are not universally loved, but for Miller, brewing true to style was essential. A third of the malt bill for the release consistsed of smoked malt.
When it came to sourcing ingredients, Dangerous Man stayed true to tradition. They used German malts and hops from their usual providers, with Weyermann Oak Smoked Wheat playing a pivotal role in achieving the right smoky character. Hallertau Magnum and Hallertau Mittelfrüh added the appropriate bitterness and aroma.
A twist and a nod to modern brewing, though, was included.
The use of pineapple in the beer, though subtle, was a strategic choice to balance the smoky and sour elements.
READ MORE: Here’s 2 Brewery’s Strategies for Creating a Smoked Beer Release
“Pineapple seemed like the right fruit for the job,” Miller said. His years of brewing fruit-forward beers helped guide the process, but as Bonvallet jokes, “I guess this beer is the trial, hopefully not the error.”
Brewing a beer like the Lichtenhainer comes with its challenges. For Miller, one of the most significant hurdles is convincing the public to embrace such a unique style. However, after years of brewing hundreds of different beers, Miller said he and his team have earned the trust of their customers.
“Minnesotans and our customer base seem to be comfortable trying new things from us,” he pointed out, adding it’s a testament to the brewery’s reputation for creativity and quality.
As for the future of the Lichtenhainer, Miller sees it as a limited release at this time.
While another batch is in the works, after that, the brewery will move on to the next historical style.
The brewery’s dedication to variety and innovation is a core part of its ethos, even as it scales up its production, in which it produces around 3,500 barrels per year.
“We’ve talked in great depth about how to hold onto the variety that the taproom always had while still coming out with new beers for the market,” Miller said.
The upcoming months will see the release of a Pecan Brown; a dark-fruited Sour; and a Rye IPA. All will be new additions to the lineup.
For Miller and Dangerous Man Brewing, the art of brewing lies in both honoring the past and pushing forward into uncharted territory. The Lichtenhainer is just one example of how they strike that balance, with plenty more to come.
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