Danube Swabian
Goldfinger Brewing Company
- From:
- Goldfinger Brewing Company
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- Vienna Lager
Ranked #24 - ABV:
- 4.6%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #14,651 - Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 4.18%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 6
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 24, 2026
- Added:
- Feb 14, 2023
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
While doing research into the origins of the Vienna lager, we discovered that the first batches ever brewed used a haná barley variety from Moravia whose peak usage ended after WWI. Coincidentally, Sugar Creek Malt Co had dedicated the last five years toward reviving this once prolific barley, which we used last year for our Czech Dark Lager and used most recently for our upcoming Czech pale lager.
However, this malt was processed according to Pilsner specifications which would not be suitable for a Vienna lager. Upon further investigation, we were able to source the general malting and kilning parameters to create the first ever Vienna malt, which Sugar Creek followed to produce the closest thing to the original Vienna malt used to make the first Vienna lagers.
Danube Swabian is our Historic Vienna lager. A triple decoction mash using 100% original haná Vienna malt and 100% Czech Saaz hops, this will be the closest we will get to experience the first Vienna lagers ever enjoyed.
However, this malt was processed according to Pilsner specifications which would not be suitable for a Vienna lager. Upon further investigation, we were able to source the general malting and kilning parameters to create the first ever Vienna malt, which Sugar Creek followed to produce the closest thing to the original Vienna malt used to make the first Vienna lagers.
Danube Swabian is our Historic Vienna lager. A triple decoction mash using 100% original haná Vienna malt and 100% Czech Saaz hops, this will be the closest we will get to experience the first Vienna lagers ever enjoyed.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16 ounce can into a pilsner glass. Canned 3/18/24, had 5/27/24.
Pours a pale yellow color, cloudy, with a two inch head of spongy foam with very good retention and a fair amount of foamy lacing. Aromas of yeast, malt, a little bread, a light funk. Has a bit of a sweet smell, and a light floral aroma. Flavors of malt, yeast, a little bread, light floral hops. Smooth, fairly dry, a good light body, well carbonated.
The malt does have somewhat of a unique taste. A typically solid effort from Goldfinger, although not at the top of my favorites from them. Very enjoyable.
Sep 03, 2024Pours a pale yellow color, cloudy, with a two inch head of spongy foam with very good retention and a fair amount of foamy lacing. Aromas of yeast, malt, a little bread, a light funk. Has a bit of a sweet smell, and a light floral aroma. Flavors of malt, yeast, a little bread, light floral hops. Smooth, fairly dry, a good light body, well carbonated.
The malt does have somewhat of a unique taste. A typically solid effort from Goldfinger, although not at the top of my favorites from them. Very enjoyable.
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
3.79/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Had on tap. Murky pale yellow body, finger of white foam. Sweeter grainy, floral and yeasty nose. Honey malt with light grain, creamy yeast for the taste, surprisingly simple, though the floral hop finish grows as it warms. Feel is light and smooth, with decent froth, the malts here are impressive. Historical and interesting
May 19, 2024
Reviewed by BigGold from Mississippi
3.81/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had Danube Swabian poured from pint can, bottom stamped "CANNED ON 3/18/24," gift from friend, into pilsner glass.
Pours light yellow-gold with clarity and huge near-white head, which quickly drops to a persistent film, but leaves a little splotchy lace down the glass. Aromas of mild and moderately toasted malt off pour, with a little funky herbal aroma too, and some lime joining as warms. On tasting, begins very low-key, with minimal carbonation and mild malt, then a little sweet stone fruit and herbal bite, which carry into a nicely crisp finish.
From the beginning with the pour (lighter) and the aroma (funkier), original-style Vienna Lager is, as you might have guessed, not necessarily in accord with more modern notions of the style, but after a nearly flat start settles into a mildly fruity, nicely crisp lager. So the experiment was worthwhile "for science," and the result is, not surprisingly from Goldfinger, more than drinkable.
May 11, 2024Pours light yellow-gold with clarity and huge near-white head, which quickly drops to a persistent film, but leaves a little splotchy lace down the glass. Aromas of mild and moderately toasted malt off pour, with a little funky herbal aroma too, and some lime joining as warms. On tasting, begins very low-key, with minimal carbonation and mild malt, then a little sweet stone fruit and herbal bite, which carry into a nicely crisp finish.
From the beginning with the pour (lighter) and the aroma (funkier), original-style Vienna Lager is, as you might have guessed, not necessarily in accord with more modern notions of the style, but after a nearly flat start settles into a mildly fruity, nicely crisp lager. So the experiment was worthwhile "for science," and the result is, not surprisingly from Goldfinger, more than drinkable.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Canned 4/18/23; drank 5/29/23 @ the Yarchives.
Mostly see-through dull orange appearance; champagne bubbles throughout.
A rough pour yielded a nice, bubbly off-white head which quickly dissipated; decent lace.
Honeyed grain & fall leaf notes in the nose.
Sticky, medium mouthfeel.
Honeyed grain, mild burnt leaves & faint floral flavors.
Bold & tasty; I'd have another!
May 30, 2023Mostly see-through dull orange appearance; champagne bubbles throughout.
A rough pour yielded a nice, bubbly off-white head which quickly dissipated; decent lace.
Honeyed grain & fall leaf notes in the nose.
Sticky, medium mouthfeel.
Honeyed grain, mild burnt leaves & faint floral flavors.
Bold & tasty; I'd have another!
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois
4.18/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Deep saturated gold, bright clarity, a finger of foam that fades to a thin broken skim. Mild, nondescript malt aroma.
Vaguely floral hop note, toasty bread crust.
Crisp with a light bitterness in the dry finish.
Thanks to Bill for this one!
May 30, 2023Vaguely floral hop note, toasty bread crust.
Crisp with a light bitterness in the dry finish.
Thanks to Bill for this one!
Reviewed by 4DAloveofSTOUT from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Another incredible beer with those sugar creek malts! This is pretty delicious vienna lager. The original vienna lager from Goldfinger is pretty close to this one, but Danube Swabian seems to be lighter flavors as the main difference between the two beers.
Apr 30, 2023
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