Beer of the Week: Czech Your Motueka

Every now and then, hanging out on a taproom’s board amid the ales, lagers and alternative beverages both alcoholic and virgin, there’ll be a verdant, zero-proof option: hop water. While hydration is a virtue, especially during lengthy beer-drinking sessions, this more recent addition to the craft quaff fold is really more about flavor. Those who don’t love hops would do well to steer clear and head for safer, citrus- and berry-infused waters, because hop water is just what it claims to be, sparkling H2O infused with hops. I’m more into still unadorned water, but one thing I enjoy about this new option is how the hop varietals that are utilized are presented without grains, residual sugars or adjuncts to get in the way of or alter their flavors. It’s nice to be able to experience that sort of unmarred hop expression and the main reason I’m such a fan of this week’s featured beer, Czech Your Motueka. A Czech-style Pilsner from Artifex Brewing, it is lean, clean and perfectly attenuated, providing a crisp canvas upon which to introduce New Zealand-bred Motueka hops. Green and grassy with a hint of citrus and the slightest touch of dankness in the finish, they shine in this beer, which can be crushed or contemplated as the situation calls for. It is the first of four quarterly Pilsners the San Clemente-based company will produce this year and is on tap at Artifex’s satellite tasting room in Oceanside.

With hoppy Pilsners being all the rage these days, we thought to ourselves, why not make four of them in 2024? Our first-quarter release features the timeless Czech Saaz hop varietal, which was used exclusively in the boil kettle. New Zealand Motueka from Freestyle Hops is truly the star of this beer and was strategically used during the whirlpool and again for the dry-hop. After lagering the beer for four weeks, the final product bursts with notes of lime zest and fresh-cut grass along with delicate strawberry tones. Clean, bright and coming in a 5.1% (alcohol-by-volume), this is definitely a brewery favorite and beyond crushable. Cheers!”

Johnny Johur, Co-founder & Head Brewer, Artifex Brewing