Leif Lager
Longship Brewery

i am probably the last guy in the world to get excited about a vienna lager, i mean, i like them fine in that its a beer and all, and i love drinking beer, but its near the last style i reach for. with that said, this is a good one, unexciting (they hardly ever are), but well made like all of their stuff. they did the classic styles very well, at least the ones i had while i was in. this has a nice chestnut amber color and short cream head on it, mostly clear, and with good carbonation. its not as sweet as a lot of these are, and without too much body, so it works as more of a session beer and in the hot california weather. its a bit drier than i am used to, but no less flavorful, a nice nutty malt aspect here, light toffee and biscuit, toast, and dark bread. its got a german flare from the yeast i reckon, and a smooth leisurely feel. it is not going to change the world, but it fits well on their beer menu and stands as one of the better examples of the style i have had in awhile. these guys are doing a nice mix of adventurous and classic!

Quick Take: Although this style isn’t my forte, this beer is a good offering for a beer style that has been revived in recent years. The color is pristine yellow with a nice malt character and a little more strong grass hops, but does come with the style. The hops do overpower the overall flavor though.