What Is Kernza®?

When Patagonia Provisions reached out to us to brew a beer using a Regenerative Organic Certified® grain, we were ecstatic. It's a dream come true to work with a company we greatly admire while doing what we do best: brew organic beer!

Kernza®, a deeply-rooted regenerative perennial grain, has the potential to transform the brewing industry. Kernza stabilizes soil, requires minimal tilling, increases soil organic matter, and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity. Patagonia is confident that ongoing research will also confirm that Kernza draws down and stores more carbon in the soil than annual grains. When used in beer, it adds a deliciously rich but subtle nutty flavor. The Regenerative Organic Certified® Kernza® used in the Kernza Lager is sourced from A-Frame Farm, a 1,200-acre Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in Madison, Minnesota.

Photo Credit: Amy Kumler

At Aslan, we are dedicated to being an organic and sustainably-focused business. Brewing with Kernza not only helps us achieve the goals of working with more environmentally friendly ingredients but also creates a great malt profile in our beer! Our Kernza Lager is a bright, easy-drinking American Pilsner with a slightly nutty malt characteristic provided by Kernza--perfectly balanced with the lemon-forward, earthy, and floral notes brought by organic Chinook and Pekko hops. As part of Patagonia Provisions’ A Good Grain Collaborative program, 10 other breweries across the country are also included in this collaboration. Learn more about the project here.

For more stats on Kernza Lager, click below!

Wondering what Patagonia Provisions goodies to snack on while sipping your Kernza Lager? We got you!

Lemon Olive Anchovies + Rosemary Garlic Crackers 

The brightness of the lemon and herbs in the tinned Lemon Olive Spanish White Anchovies matches the hop profiles of citrusy Chinook and herbal Pekko in Kernza Lager. The connection of herbal freshness in this pairing continues with the Rosemary Garlic Crackers. Additionally, the wheat in these crackers is grown and processed in WA reducing the supply chain and carbon footprint.

The lustrous texture of the fish calls for a dry and refreshing beverage like the Kernza Lager. This bit of contrast in a pairing keeps the snacking delightfully intriguing. Plus the snappiness of the crackers matches the crisp and dry finish on our lager. 

Spicy White Anchovies + Fresh baguette 

Bitterness enhances heat, so when pairing beer with spicy food you often want a low IBU beer that can help relieve the palate of heat. Malt-forward beers also help balance heat. While Kernza isn't a specifically "malty" beer, this pairing is a great opportunity to highlight the grain itself while also cutting through the spice from the anchovies. Patagonia’s Spicy White Anchovies are made with chilies, cider vinegar, and sweet bell peppers so every bite bursts with tangy sweet heat!

The fresh baguette is the perfect mode of transportation for the ‘chovies. We got our baguette from our favorite local bakery, Seawolf Bakers, but anything fresh and local will work perfectly!

Margherita Pizza Cracker + Chevré

These Margherita Pizza Crackers are made with regenerative wheat that's grown and milled in Washington state. They are made to taste like fresh tomato and basil but don't have any dairy in them. While great for our lactose-adverse friends, it's the perfect snack for adding a cheese! Chevré is always a great option for a soft, spreadable cheese. Goat's milk has more pastoral notes than cow's milk, invoking spring grass and freshly laid hay. One of our favorite goat farms and creameries, Lost Peacock, is located in Olympia, WA, so we scooped up their chevré from our go-to food co-op, PCC. A highly carbonated beer with a light body, like our Kernza Lager, is great for cutting through a fatty, soft cheese. It also cleanses the palette, readying you for the next bite! 

Black Pepper Wild Pink Salmon + Provolone + Fresh Baguette

The Black Pepper Wild Pink Salmon is ever so slightly smoked which makes it a great pairing with the mellow smoked Provolone from Ferndale Farmstead.

Fish and dairy can be a tricky pairing but when the cheese is firm and the fish has a good amount of fatty oils, it can be quite dreamy. And by matching the low intensity of smoke, that flavor isn't overwhelming with this pairing. Both provolone and salmon are rather rich, especially in their preserved forms. The Kernza Lager is able to keep this pairing feeling light and bright!