Let's Give Lagers Some Love (2025)

Me too!

My wise ass reply was a result of reading a post earlier today from @AlcahueteJ :

"I thought of this thread when entering my local Wegmans yesterday. Large displays of a few "Kölsch's".

Genesee Ruby Red Kölsch
Ommegang Oak-Aged Watermelon Kölsch
Allagash Clementine Kölsch

Not a Kölsch, but in a similar vein...Victory Key Lime Vienna Lager

What on earth are we doing here..."

Cheers!

 

i knoooow! Right? Goofball shower of Shandy shite sippin'...
I was just at Hoops Brwg and the ladies were ecstatic re raspberry key lime wheat. A few locals get it and blend in some pineapple chili ale as well...

 

Hey lagerheads, here’s some Lolev for ya!

Rein - Lolev Beer

A mild and relaxed beer for a spectacular and mild afternoon. This one has a mild sweetness, some honey and herbal qualities, and a touch of yeast haze in the last oz.

 

Currently drinking a thoroughly mediocre (perhaps due to age) All Purpose Pilsner, from Mother Earth:

 

I kinda miss that one. There was 1 local store that had it for 2 years in a row but after that it was gone and they never got it back in. I think Wegmens in the Boston area has it but if anyone knows who has it in the SE Mass/RI area that would be much appreciated.

 

FWIW I purchased this beer at my local Wegmans.

I also bought my 12-pack of Genny Bock a few months ago at my local Wegmans. I suspect there is a business relationship between Genesee and Wegmans?

Cheers!

 

Not likely in PA! https://sovos.com/shipcompliant/resources/beer-distribution-rules-by-state/
. . . sales may only be made to licensed Importers or Importing Distributors, who can only be Pennsylvania residents; OOS manufacturers must notify the PLCB of their distribution relationships, and receive an LID number for reporting, which is assigned upon first registering a label with the PLCBy in PA!

 

Theres no Genny Bock in my area either. Every liquor store basically has the Lager, Cream Ale, Light, and Ice but no seasonals. Wegmans is only in the Boston area and not in SE Mass and RI.

 

It might be okay. The can was fairly old, though it shouldn't be too terribly old for the style (January 20). But, yes, in Portland there's almost certainly local alternatives that would be just as good as this one gets, if not better.

 

Drinking a Lumberpunk at Whistle Punk with my buddy Toby.

 

It was my first time trying it and at a restaurant no less. I found it to be super good out of the bottle.. must be that much better on draft/fresh. They sell it at TW, but don't have a clue if it's fresh?

 

The code is (L doesn't matter) 4 = 2024 and 289 = 289th day of the year. The translation is Oct. 15, 2024.

So approaching 9 months old at this point.

My 'rule of thumb' is to not purchase German brewed beers over 6 months of age (I wish I could state 4 months but then I would likely never buy German beers).

The 'wild card' is how was that beer stored (e.g., refrigerated?) over those nine months. No way to know for sure.

Prost!

 

FWIW I agree with you here as regards Bocks and Weizenbocks. The higher ABV values seem to help these beer styles as regards beer stability.

But as I discussed above: "The 'wild card' is how was that beer stored (e.g., refrigerated?) over those nine months." When it comes to imported German beers there is just more to the overall distribution system and consequently more places where improper storage or handling can potentially negatively impact things.

For the most part I am the same way. Although I recently 'lucked out' and was able to purchase a relatively fresh six-pack of Augustiner Helles which I detailed in a past thread:

"As a FYI I purchased a 2025 version of Augustiner Helles yesterday at my local Retail Beer Distributor (where the importer Global Village Imports rents office space). Once again $10.99. The bottle date is L057142504 (my Little Orphan Annie decoder states this it was bottled on February 26, 2025)."

I felt like I won the lottery when I saw that six-pack on the shelf!

Cheers!