Saranac Lager
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac LagerSaranac Lager
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From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
American Lager
Ranked #285
ABV:
4.7%
Score:
74
Ranked #27,568
Avg:
3.2 | pDev: 14.38%
Reviews:
130
Ratings:
144
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 09, 2023
Added:
Jan 31, 2001
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by merlin48:
Photo of merlin48
Reviewed by merlin48 from Kentucky

3.6/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
From the 12 bottle holiday sampler box. How many times have I said that? Must be near a dozen. This one pours a clear golden amber, with minimal head. I thought I had opened a Harpoon Ale, in the dim light, but could tell from the subdued nose that this was my Saranac Lager. Mostly a mild citrus hop nose, not bad, just lacking character. Mouthfeel is average for the style. Taste is above average for a regional lager, very well balanced. Has a clean finish. This one gets decent marks from me. For some reason, I just like its balance and drinkability. My compliments to Matt Brewing for making the effort of putting 12 different styles in their sampler box. They've shown some potential to make some excellent smaller batches when they choose to concentrate on just a few styles.
Dec 11, 2003
More User Ratings:
Photo of mikeinportc
Reviewed by mikeinportc from New York

3.37/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Clear orangey-amber, with slight, quickly-dissipating tan head.

Smell is light caramel and toffee, with a hint of biscuity malt. Not bad, just not much of it.

Taste is bread crust, plus the toffee and caramel present in the aroma, but drier. Moderate bitterness.

Feel is smooth, medium-light, but not watery, with moderate, very fine, carbonation tingle. Finish is dry, and lingers awhile.

Not bad, and better than I remember it. It used to be my least favorite of the Trail Mix 6pk , and now it might be my favorite of the Throwback 12 pk - guessing, for the same reason. It's light, crisp, and dry. Tastes change sometimes. :) I hope they revive this for good, and it is available as a stand-alone , especially in the heat of summer. :)
Mar 09, 2023
 
Rated: 2.6 by tappangordo from New York

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by zestar from California

Aug 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Durandal_777 from Pennsylvania

Apr 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Slatetank from Pennsylvania

May 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3 by Bill235 from Ohio

May 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by generallee from Virginia

Aug 29, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by PeteRiz from Connecticut

Apr 26, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by lccrunchy from Pennsylvania

Jan 11, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by AndrewMichael from Virginia

Dec 31, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by ROGUE16 from Delaware

Dec 02, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 02, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Dec 01, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

Nov 22, 2011
Photo of CBlack85
Reviewed by CBlack85 from South Carolina

3.45/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass

this beer pours a rich amber color, very clear, with about one inch of off white creamy head. little to no lacing. a bit hoppier than your average lager. a slightly malty sweetness. very crisp and clean tasting, but still not a typical lager flavor. Not a very "big" flavor. easy to drink, a good light tasting summer beer.
Oct 02, 2009
Photo of tone77
Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured from a brown bottle into a weizen glass. Has a rich amber color with a 1/2 inch head. Mild malty aroma. Taste is o.k. but not overly flavorful. Feels smooth in the mouth. Drinkability is average. Overall this is a decent beer but nothing spectacular.
Jun 23, 2009
Photo of Norfawkers
Reviewed by Norfawkers from Virginia

3.53/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
If you like Yuengling...

Appearance: Deep golden with minimal to no head and little lacing

Smell: Barely there

Taste: Slightly malty

Mouthfeel: A sight bitterness towards the end but relatively smooth

Drinkability: very drinkable; try it for a pizza and beer night
Jun 18, 2009
Photo of Brenden
Reviewed by Brenden from Ohio

3.51/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The color is a light golden amber. This is my first pale lager, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but the look is respectable and not as pale as I had thought it might be. Head retention is pretty good and there's some fairly even lacing.
The nose is simple and somewhat subdued. A mix of malt and hops with a grains backbone. A little like a light, but a little stronger. It's respectable.
Hops and malt are both evident, and the absence of adjuncts puts this a step above most macros despite the aroma and palate not being very strong. Grains are present and there's an underlying sweetness. As expected, the finish doesn't linger very long.
The mouthfeel is good. It's a little thin, though not too much. A light body and gentle carbonation make for a clean mouthfeel that's pretty smooth and very crisp.
Nothing out of the ordinary or especially complex, but I'd call this one pretty good and easily sessionable at such a low ABV.
May 30, 2009
Photo of puboflyons
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire

3.83/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
From a 12 fl. oz bottle no. 3527-11407. Sampled on Feb. 14 2009.

A - A copper-reddish color in the pour with a little bit of headf and light lacing. I like the color a lot. It does not look like most America Pales I've had.

S - Definitely some sweet malt stuff going on here. Kind of sugary-honey aroma.

M - A medium mouthfeel and rather smooth like caramel.

T - Very sweet and mild. Slightly bitter and almost tart.

Not a bad experience all told.
Feb 15, 2009
Saranac Lager from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 74 out of 100 with 144 ratings