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Weyerbacher Canes Venatici

Easton, PA's Weyerbacher Brewing Company, brewers of awesome beers such as Merry Monks, Blithering Idiot and Old Heathen, like to experiment with different beers in their Brewer's Select series. After having completed a beer for each letter of the NATO phonetic alphabet, they have now turned to constellations. I thought it would be fun to use this space to learn about the experimental beers that Weyerbacher is brewing, and also to learn a little bit of astronomy along the way!

Canes Venatici is the latest installment in the Weyerbacher Brewer's Select Series.  The beer was released on May 25, 2014 in Weyerbacher's taproom in 12 oz. bottles.  You can also find it on tap in limited amounts in Weyerbacher's distribution network.

Craft Beer, Weyerbacher, Canes Venatici
Canes Venatici is an ideal model for the camera

Weyerbacher Canes Venatici (from Weyerbacher)
  • 6.7% ABV maibock style lager
  • Showcases a unique hop in the flavor and aroma called Mandarina Bavaria, which adds a citrusy, orange character to the beer
  • Features 100% German malts: Pilsner, Munich and Vienna
  • Uses Apollo hops for bitterness
  • Fermented with a German bock yeast

Constellation Canes Venatici (info from Top Astronomer)
  • From Latin, "The Hunting Dogs"
  • The two brightest stars in Canes Venatici are Cor Caroli (alpha Canum Venaticorum) and Chara (beta Canum Venaticorum)
  • Chara shares many similarities to our star, and was thought to be a prime spot to look for like according to astronomer Margaret Turnbull

The orange flavors and aromas that must be coming from the Mandarina Bavaria hops really make this maibock unique.  It still has the biscuity backbone that is a hallmark of a good lager, and the orange complements it quite well.  Flavorful, without even bordering on being sweet, Canes Venatici is delectable, refreshing and thirst quenching.


Craft Beer, Weyerbacher, Canes Venatici
Canes Venatici - to me, it means summer is near

Interested in reading more about Weyerbacher's Brewer Select Series?  Link to my other posts here!


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