Beer Pick: Max Security

Beer Pick

Max Security

Max Lager’s, Atlanta

$5/pint at Max Lager's, 320 Peachtree St., 404-525-4400, maxlagers.com

Profile: Max Lager's brewmaster John Roberts teamed with Glenn Golden of JailHouse Brewing in Hampton to create an exciting collaborative beer in honor of American Craft Beer Week, May 16-22. For Max Security, Roberts and Golden decided to fiddle with the formula for a schwarzbier, a black German-style lager. They used cherry wood smoked malt, rye malt and molasses. The result is a complex dark beer that is surprisingly easy to drink, with woody, fruity notes, a touch of sweetness and a subtle smoke character.

Pair with: The woody, smoky flavors of Max Security are a natural match for smoked or wood-grilled meats, such as brisket, pulled pork, ribs or steak. Or try it with grilled mushrooms.

Event

Max Lager’s will be featuring Max Security the week of May 16. For more Craft Beer Week events, check the AJC Drink blog: blogs.ajc.com/drink/.

Bob Townsend is editor of Southern Brew News, a bimonthly beer publication distributed throughout the Southeast: www.brewingnews.com/southernbrew.