Let's Give Lagers Some Love (2024)

Have you ever been to a Lager Saloon?

I just learned about brewery that just opened in Portland, ME that describes the business as being a Lager Saloon: Argenta Brewing Company.

This brewery’s owner (founder, head brewer, accountant) is Ryan Dunlap who is originally from Nevada (ergo the Saloon aspect I presume).

At the moment, here is the list of lagers he is serving:

· Mexican Dark Lager

· Generic American Lager

· Black Lager

· Blanc Pilsner

And as the business progresses, I am confident that more lager beer style will be produced.

On the brewery’s website is a description of a Lager Saloon:

“WTF is a Lager Saloon?

In the mid 1800’s, the US saw a massive influx of German immigrants moving to cities like St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. These immigrants brought with them a beer culture that most Americans had never experienced before.

At the time, beer culture in Germany was centered on the idea of gemütlichkeit (Gi-MEET-lee-kite) (a feeling of comfort, relaxation, and coziness). Lager saloons embodied this feeling and became known as community centers that were family friendly, peaceful, and welcoming of all people.

These immigrants created something of a beer revolution, shifting drinkers from ales to lagers quickly. Lager breweries, called “lager beer saloons,” opened as a reminder of life and culture back home.

By the late 1800s, these “lager beer saloons” had become so popular that you couldn't go a block in New York City without running into one! However, two world wars and the accompanying predjudice and politics ended up decimating the industry. By the end of WWII there were only a few lager breweries left in the entire country.

“Lager saloons have always been a place where all are welcome regardless of your background or status. These are community gathering points and a part of everyday life. We aim to create what we think a modern-day lager saloon would be like here in Portland, Maine!” – Ryan”

https://www.argentabrewingcompany.com/whats-a-lager-saloon

Below is a video interview of Ryan where he introduces himself and his vision of what he wants his Lager Saloon to be. Sound like a welcoming ‘corner brewery’ to me.

Cheers!

 

I'm loving a Yuengling Bock Lager now.
Tröegs Little Nator is next up on the roster.
Beautiful 60 degree day, throwing Frisbee with the Old Man and throwing back a few.

 

Thanks for sharing. The Mrs and I will have to check it out.

 

Please let us know what you think.

Keep in mind that the brewery just opened up (a week or two ago?) so there is likely to be some 'growing pains' at this saloon.

Cheers!

P.S. Maybe recommend to Ryan they install some swinging doors!?!

 

Thanks Jack! I reposted and started a 2024 Portland, ME thread. I'll be there in May for my bachelor party, I'll try to check it out!

 

What dates should I pencil in?

 

https://www.argentabrewingcompany.com/whats-a-lager-saloon

Huh? There were 471 operating breweries in the US in 1946, almost all of them brewed lager beer. Even most of the famous ale brewers of New England and the Northeast began brewing lagers after Repeal, those that didn't did not survive long.

 

Yuengling Bock may or may not show up around here but I'll grab it if it does.

 

The wife and I have been spending 3 or 4 weeks in Bavaria the last 2 years, another 3 lined up for late August first half of September. I went to Oktoberfest 25 years ago so checked that off back then.

Now we are doing beer hikes between breweries and Biergartens. The Fünf Seidla Steig is an example. We have been experiencing places less know to most. We hit most of the places covered in Franz Hofer's recent Zymurgy article on our trip last September. I regret not meeting him in the evening at Schlenkerla one night with other friends, but this old guy was ready for bed.

 

Tripping Animals "Run the Game" Light Lager. It smells like sawdust, but tastes Ok...

 

Smoked Helles, Fieldwork Brewing, Monterey

 

Unfortunately it's brewery only. I picked it up at the Sam Adams 40th Anniversary festival at the original Jamaica Plain brewery in Boston this past weekend. Super cool event by the way.

You got to taste samples of 15 beers, and Double Bock was one of them. 9.5%, so not the original recipe. It's in 8 oz. cans too, which they do with stronger beers to-go from their tap rooms, I love that format.

That's really turbid for a lager!

 

Stopped by Olde Mecklenburg Brewing for lunch today and had the Dortmunder Export and the Barrel Aged Dunkel. The Dortmunder was quite good. unfortunately the BBA Dunkel left something to be desired

 

Hahaha