Vienna Style Lager
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Vienna Lager
Ranked #60 - ABV:
- 5.3%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #28,218 - Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 9.5%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 208
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 28, 2026
- Added:
- Jun 24, 2009
- Wants:
- 63
- Gots:
- 163
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
Vienna-style beers are among the world’s first light-colored lagers and were on the brink of extinction until American craft brewers helped revive the style; it’s a good thing they did. These delicate and extremely balanced amber beers rely on semi-sweet and bready malt flavors but walk a fine line with both malt and hop character shouldering equal weight. Our take on the style features whole-cone European hops, which add to the dry finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drtth:
Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania
3.98/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.98/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The beer pours out into a Duvel glass a clear dark amber with a 3/4" light tan head that recedes to a fine ring and a small film in the center of the glass. Sipping leaves a few scattered patches and speckles that mostly slide back down to the liquid.
The aromas include some nice bready malt with floral hops and touches of spiciness in the background.
The flavors are much as expected from the nose with the bready malt and floral, spicy hops playing nicely together.
The mouth feel is medium bodied and there is some light carbonation. The finish is medium length and begins as the malt begins to fade leaving some some floral, grassy, spicy hop bitterness that becomes dry at the end of the sip, inviting another sip.
Overall this is a well made example of a Vienna Lager that I'll be happy to have again. I'm also thinking this would be a fine beer to have at an evening dinner party with friends where the conversation goes on long after the meal is finished.
Sep 28, 2015The aromas include some nice bready malt with floral hops and touches of spiciness in the background.
The flavors are much as expected from the nose with the bready malt and floral, spicy hops playing nicely together.
The mouth feel is medium bodied and there is some light carbonation. The finish is medium length and begins as the malt begins to fade leaving some some floral, grassy, spicy hop bitterness that becomes dry at the end of the sip, inviting another sip.
Overall this is a well made example of a Vienna Lager that I'll be happy to have again. I'm also thinking this would be a fine beer to have at an evening dinner party with friends where the conversation goes on long after the meal is finished.
More User Ratings:
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
3.25/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
RB transfer
Feb 28, 2026
Reviewed by tracycramer from Texas
4.29/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I pretty much do not like lagers at all due probably to not getting out much and not knowing what is out there. That said, this is very drinkable. Not the usual sweet lager at all.
Very nice. Enjoyed in Austin 10/20/19.
Oct 20, 2019Very nice. Enjoyed in Austin 10/20/19.
Reviewed by unlikelyspiderperson from California
4.44/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours a beautiful copper tinged amber with a wonderful yellow blushed head, 2 fingers and active, bubbles holding out like almost cooked pancakes.
Smells like a lightly sweetened rustic pastry with just a smidge of caramel. some floral and grassy hints around the edges.
Taste is very light bread with some herbaceous bitterness. very clean taste, not super muddled or overly complicated.
Mouthfeel is excellent, crisp and clean with a decent body mid palate and a nice dry finish.
Overall I get the hype around this one and definitely wish it was a regular presence from SN. Super drinkable with enough character to fit in well as the weather starts to turn. Great beer.
Sep 19, 2019Smells like a lightly sweetened rustic pastry with just a smidge of caramel. some floral and grassy hints around the edges.
Taste is very light bread with some herbaceous bitterness. very clean taste, not super muddled or overly complicated.
Mouthfeel is excellent, crisp and clean with a decent body mid palate and a nice dry finish.
Overall I get the hype around this one and definitely wish it was a regular presence from SN. Super drinkable with enough character to fit in well as the weather starts to turn. Great beer.
Reviewed by RyanK252 from California
3.84/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.84/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle poured into a Sierra Nevada Brewing Co pint glass
A: Pours golden copper amber with a frothy off white head that settles to a light layer and leaves some
S: Grainy, slightly toasty bready malt, grassy, herbal, spicy, and herbal notes, faintly fruity, and a touch of honey sweetness.
T: Bready slightly toasty malt, a bit grainy, spicy, herbal, grassy, and earthy notes, a little fruity towards the back end, pear and apricot, and touch of honey sweetness.
M: Medium body, moderate carbonation, crisp.
O: It might not be my favorite style, but this one is well done.
Dec 11, 2018A: Pours golden copper amber with a frothy off white head that settles to a light layer and leaves some
S: Grainy, slightly toasty bready malt, grassy, herbal, spicy, and herbal notes, faintly fruity, and a touch of honey sweetness.
T: Bready slightly toasty malt, a bit grainy, spicy, herbal, grassy, and earthy notes, a little fruity towards the back end, pear and apricot, and touch of honey sweetness.
M: Medium body, moderate carbonation, crisp.
O: It might not be my favorite style, but this one is well done.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!