CassavaNova Lager

Tasting Notes

I don't have specific tasting notes on this particular beer, so this reflects what the style typically delivers. A lager at 5.1% tends to show a clean, grain-forward nose with subtle floral or herbal hop character and minimal ester presence. On the palate, expect a moderate body with a smooth malt backbone, restrained bitterness, and a dry, relatively neutral finish. The cassava reference in the name suggests the brewery may be using cassava as an adjunct grain, which would lighten the body further and lend a subtle starchy sweetness distinct from barley-only versions.

About the Brewery

Flying Lion Brewing is based in Seattle, Washington, with a focus on community-rooted brewing and beers that reflect diverse cultural influences. They are known for incorporating ingredients and traditions tied to African and diaspora food culture, which sets them apart from most Pacific Northwest craft breweries. Their lineup tends toward approachable, food-friendly styles with a storytelling angle around heritage and identity.

Food Pairings

A clean lager like this works well with jerk chicken because the restrained bitterness cuts through the fat while the malt softens the heat. Fried plantains pair naturally given the cassava-adjacent starch profile and the beer's light body, which won't overwhelm the sweetness. Grilled fish tacos with a citrus slaw find a good foil here, where the beer's neutrality lets the fresh toppings lead. A simple rice and beans dish benefits from the beer's grain character echoing the starchy base without competing. Mild goat cheese on flatbread is another solid match, the beer's low bitterness keeping the pairing gentle and the cheese's tang in focus.

Style Guide

Lager is defined by cold fermentation using bottom-fermenting yeast strains, which produce a cleaner, more neutral flavor profile than ales with far fewer fruity esters. The style originated in Central Europe, particularly Germany and Bohemia, where cold storage — lagering — was used to condition beer over weeks or months. Most lagers fall in the 4–6% ABV range, with bodies that run from light to medium and bitterness that stays modest. What separates a lager from an ale isn't ingredients so much as process: the cold, slow fermentation is what drives the characteristic smoothness and malt-forward clarity.