Pistonhead

Pistonhead came out of Sweden in 2011, brewed by Brutal Brewing, a subsidiary of the long-established Spendrups brewery. The brand built its name on dry-hopped modern lagers at a time when that kind of beer was still a novelty on the Swedish market. It wore its attitude on its sleeve from the start: loud can designs, American and Australian hop varieties, a general hostility to fuss.

The rock-and-roll identity was more than cosmetic. In 2015, the brand set up the Pistonhead Foundation to funnel money towards emerging musicians, independent venues, and artists. The fund raised cash for the music world at a series of events, making Pistonhead something of a cultural project alongside the brewing.

The alcohol-free entry in the range is Flat Tire, a 0.5% lager that applies the brand's dry-hopping approach to the non-alcoholic format. The beer uses Centennial and Mosaic hops, which push pine and citrus notes to the front. There's some papaya in there too, giving it more complexity than most NA lagers manage. The mouthfeel is fuller than expected. It's a beer for people who like aromatic, hoppy lagers rather than those looking for a clean, neutral session drink.

Pistonhead sits in mid-market pricing and is available in the UK through supermarkets and online retailers. The non-alcoholic range is limited, with Flat Tire carrying the flag, but it's a competent offering from a brand that clearly understood hop-forward brewing before it became standard practice.

The Collection

Flat Tire Non-Alcoholic Craft Lager