Double Elbow Beer: A Love Letter to European Lagers
What is Double Elbow Beer?
Double Elbow Beer is the newest lager brand to grace the Minnesota beer scene. It is the pet project of an extremely skilled lager brewer that most Minnesota beer lovers will recognize.
After a few years off from brewing, Niko Tonks has made his triumphant return, taking up the Head Brewer role at Little Thistle Brewing in southern Minnesota. That also means Minnesotans have the pleasure of drinking his A1 lagers once again, thanks to his newest project.
Double Elbow is a concept that Niko has been kicking around for a while now, dating back to 2020 when he was with Fair State Brewing Company. Around that time, the pandemic made brewing traditional German and Czech-style beers a challenge, due to lack of true to style imported ingredients. Enough so, that Niko started to ask himself, “Is it possible to make good European-style lagers with American hops and grain?”
Double Elbow is the answer to that question.
In last few years, taking a step back from working in the brewhouse, Niko got more acquainted with the craft maltsters that have dedicated themselves to recreating those classic European malt characteristics, in American malt. While working for a hop company during that time as well, he has been able to nail down the hop side of things, and decided it was time to give it a try.
The first beer to put Nikos idea to thee test, and act as a proof of concept, was a simple German Pilsner, rightfully dubbed “Tonks Tuesday”. Using craft pilsner malt from Colorado, and two varieties of PNW hops, Tonks Tuesday is a crisp, dry, sparkling lager full of earthy, floral hops, and light, biscuity malt. A total success.
In addition to the first release, Niko also put out a Czech Pilsner, and at the time of writing this, a Czech Dark lager is going out on shelves.
With the support of Little Thistle, Niko hopes to put out a 10 bbl release every 6-8 weeks. If they can put out 100 bbl of Double Elbow beer in its first year, then he is happy. He made it clear, Double Elbow is not something he wants to turn into a full blown brewery. The intention behind it is to be his own little lager playground, with a dedication to doing it right, without cutting corners. . Double Elbow is about two things, and two things only: Celebrating lagers, and beers with friends. Now that is something we can all get behind.
Be sure to follow Double Elbow on Instagram to stay up to date on every release, and be sure to jump on it. They are limited, and they move quickly! If you love lagers, these are beers you do not want to miss out on.