One-twelfth of a tree

Beer made with a proportion of waste bread in the grist isn't new. Babylone IPA from Brussels Beer Project was the first to come my way, back in 2015. Rascals did it, St Mel's (RIP) did it, and now Wicklow Wolf has done it, teaming up with macrobakery Brennans to create Sliced Can, a 3% ABV lager. As if solving food waste wasn't enough, for every dozen cans sold they'll also plant a tree.

The beer looks like a very normal mainstream lager, being perfectly clear and golden. There's a proper lemongrass aroma, and while it's light-bodied, it's not horribly watery as I feared it would be. Even more surprising is the rich malt element in the taste, bringing a Helles-like cake and candyfloss effect. The herb and citrus hopping complements it, though neither lingers long on the palate.

Without the novelty recipe, this would absolutely pass muster as a tasty session lager, and I'm very impressed at the character and complexity on show, given the tiddly ABV. All this and it does good, too. Maybe I'll contribute a few more cans to that tree yet.