Lagers: Funny how tastes change over time

I'm not sure what exactly @thesherrybomber meant by "dunkels", but as good as dunkelweizens are, try to find a Munich Dunkel Lager too if you can. I feel like I don't see that style often, and it's mostly a winter seasonal around here from Jack's Abby and Harpoon, but a nice lighter dark lager like a Munich dunkel lager can be a great flavorful and rich beer that remains light and easy-drinking, and not as roasty as a schwarzbier.

 

My beer consumption is centered mostly on lagers anymore. It's partially a taste thing, as I enjoy the simplicity and nuance of a lager. It's something I can crush right after a run or slowly sip and savor on a night in. It's also a high level of consistency, especially compared with the laundry list of NEIPA producers on shelves these days. Many of the flavor additives in other beer styles are off-putting to me. I've given them a try and have been consistently disappointed. Considering the cost to purchase or try many of these beers, that just adds to the disappointment. Lagers have offered a steady, consistent and tasty option for when I want beer.

Not to say I don't enjoy IPAs or stouts anymore, I've just spent enough and drank enough 'meh' (and worse) beer to learn my lesson. In those styles, I stick with tried & true.

 

Th original Lowenbrau was a great beer, never had the dark, but back in the 70s you’d catch it on tap at the better beer bars.

 

Dale, the German brewed Lowenbrau was imported prior to 1974 and that year Miller started brewing the Lowenbrau for US consumption. This Miller brewed Lowenbrau was a differing recipe, including adjuncts (corn) as I understand it.

Did you also drink the Miller brewed version of Lowenbrau? If so, how did it compare to the German brewed version?

Cheers!

 

I much liked the imported version , but I realize this was 17 year old self too. So warm Buds snuck in the woods it was no contest. I had this on tap I’m guessing 1972 with my uncle on a hunting trip, I was 16 getting served in a restaurant lol. But when we wanted a better beer we went Lowerbrau or Heineken. I graduated in 1974, but my recollection of the change over escapes me.

 

Try an eisbock or two if you can find any. They're like the "German quadruple" and proof that lagers can do just about anything ales can do if handled with care.

 

Logging back into this site this year (for the first time since 2014) was like going through the twilight zone. Back then, HT and BCBS were gospel, and lagers were either looked down upon or barely spoken of in the forums. I’m certainly glad we got away from the hop juice craze (at least a little bit) especially because I’ve always been more partial to well done lagers rather than DIPAs. It’s nice to see some great beer styles finally getting some recognition.

 

I've always enjoyed lagers as a way to drink for drinkings sake, either among friends or at home. Don't know why this is a thing now. Sometimes you just want to crack a few with friends/comrades, sometimes, you just want to crack a few by yourself. Not to think about it as "Man, this beer is XYZ", just as something to lubricate.

Some folks make better beers than others. Some beers are better for certain situations than others. My line of work, High Life, Bud Heavy, Stroh's, etc. did a ton for us to toss back the day's worries and being able to connect no matter what mishaps were involved.

There are lagers that I've learned to contemplate, and there are definitely some that I prefer over others, but I never turned one done. You never know when there's some old dude cracking a can of some shit AAL about to give you some real advise about life.

 

Miller initially imported Lowenbrau after that deal was signed - slowed down a bit when their former eastern US importer, Hans Holterbosch, sued. It then took a few years for them to start brewing their version in the US (Ft. Worth initially, for whatever reason) and for it to become available coast to coast - still reportedly in some test markets in '76 for instance - and totally replace the original version. So, what year someone somewhere it US was drinking Miller's version is difficult to pin down (well, unless they saved the empty bottle ).



As for the "Dark" version, here's a pic from the Hans Holterbosch era. Granted, always tough to judge actual beer color in old ads, etc., (and this one obviously backlit) but, still...

 

I think this is a step in every beer lovers journey. I was pretty similar to you up until a couple of years ago. Whether you start with pilsners/lagers or not, eventually you appreciate what they offer. After so many barleybois and JOOSE IPAs, at some point your brain and palate go "I just want a goddamn pilsner."

 

I’ve really grown to appreciate lagers lately, especially czech styles.

 

Pretty much done with IPAs unless they are a known quantity. Spent all summer drinking lagers, pilsners, and kolschs. Now I've started getting into Belgian ales and saisons as well.

 

Their Oktoberfest is more or less a beefed up version of their Original.

So if you love their Oktoberfest you’ll likely also love the Original. It’s a step down in body, malt profile, and ABV, but only a step down in beer stats, not in flavor.

I dunno, I get overly excited every time I have that beer.

I got into English ales and lagers around the same time in my beer journey if I recall correctly. It’s a shame, because I don’t think many new beer drinkers will ever get into English ales due to the lack of availability, and even if they find some, they’ll likely be old.

I cut my teeth on Sam Smith’s and Fuller’s, and then fell in love after attending cask ale festivals.

Had that on draft recently, it’s a lovely Pils.

That old dude doesn’t know anything. He never knew the hardship of standing in line for two hours to pay $22 for a four pack of beer.

 

Yes, and they are easily attainable to purchase and for the most part much less expensive than the latest hyped brew.

 

Welcome back to beer that tastes like beer

You live in a state with access to some very good lagers.
As others have said, you can't go wrong with anything from Jack's Abby and Von Trapp rarely disappoints. For other regional suggestions check out the New England forum (https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/forums/new-england.13/).

• ALWAYS!! check the date on imports, unless you really trust your retailer to do it for you
• Faithfully patronize stores with a variety of fresh imports, let them know you appreciate it
• Look for Czech/Bohemian beers, personally I prefer them to Germans
• If you can get Schlenkerla start with the Helles then work your way up to the ur-Märzen, baby steps
• Don't forget that sometimes a High Life, Hamm's, Utica Club, or other AAL hits the spot just as well, or better, than a craft or import
• Be careful, Belgians are lurking around the corner

One other thing;
ALWAYS!! check check the date on imports

 

Maybe, but you never had to walk for two hours, barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways, for a Rolling Rock

 

JK, the 70's were before my time as a beer consumer. Did you have Lowenbrau in the early 1970s and then as well in the later 1970's? What were your thoughts of these two versions (German brewed vs. Miller brewed)?

Cheers!

 

Since Craft got a toe hold here in The USA, Craft Breweries mostly made ales.
So, we drank mostly ales, porters and stouts. And how thankful we were for those early beginning delicious fresh beers.
Having grown up on European Lagers though, I never forgot about them.
When USA Craft Breweries began making lagers? Oh Happy Day!
Now most Craft Breweries in NC offer a Lager, and I never pass them by.
Still sampling IPAs, stouts, and various ales but it's always nice to start off with a nice clean lager, especially a Pilsner or a Kolsch.
What great beer days we live in!
Cheers!

 

I would recommend Surly's Hell Lager, Dakota Soul Lager, and Dortmund Gold. Those are a few of the best midwest lagers I know of and will be sure to fit whatever scratch you have!

 

Interesting that I just went on a rant with my beer drinking crew that I am so F...ing tired of shit that tastes like childrens juice boxes...does any of the new crew of hipster doofus beer drinkers not get the idea of classic style? It aggravates me to no end.....drink what you like but for F's sake do not forget where this all comes from....