Craft lager conundrum

Throwing flying bottles

 

This self same reasoning is why I have until recently avoided lagers in favor of ales, with the notable exception of doppelbocks. To solve your conundrum, I would try lager styles that don't taste like Tecate, like the aforementioned doppelbocks, schwarzbiers, Vienna lagers, etc. That having been said, I am learning that there is nothing wrong with a refreshing Helles or a Pilsner every once in a while.

 

**Chuck**

I guess in the grand scheme of things NB shift might be closer to Tecate than, say, Big Bad Baptist is to Guiness, however it still isn't a can of adjunct flavorless piss.......but all things must be judged relative to their style. By definition, shift pale LAGER is supposed to be crisp, smooth, and refreshing, however it is still a good beer for what it is, and relative to its style guidelines. Tecate still sucks despite these characteristics of the style, unless you are defining a good AAL as one that tastes like fizzy pee, then yes, it does that in spades.

I think your issue has more to do with the fact that there is a larger chasm between a good lager and a shit macro lager, and a good craft ale vs a shit one purely based on the difference between what constitutes the style itself.

That kind of doesn't make sense, but it makes sense in my head so thats all that matters. but you get what I'm saying....

 

Sorry, I notice a huge difference between most craft lagers and BMC.

 

What's great about (most) craft lagers is that they can deliver a huge punch of flavor without the huge ABV/drunkeness.

However, I somewhat agree with the OP. It's hard justifying a $10 price tag for a 6 pack of 5% ABV beer when I can get a 6-pack of a 7-9% ABV beer for the same price. Most lagers are low ABV, with the exception of Doppelbocks and a few other styles, so it doesn't seem like I'm getting as good as a value with lagers as I do with ales.

I know most of us CLAIM not to care about ABV/getting tipsy, but I guess I do care a little bit since it is a conundrum for me.

 

I agree. A well-crafted Pilsner is enormously better than any BMC.

 

I find that most craft made lagers have a completeness of taste and a cleanness that are lacking in macros. In summer time, I'm particularly fond of NG Two Women and Dortmunder Gold, even though they're available year round. SN Summerfest and Anchor Steam are some other widely available lagers that just taste right to me during summer.

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with Summerfest on all accounts, including price/value. It's all-malt and really shows its hops, both in the aroma and bitterness. To me it's a far cry from industrial lagers, and hopefully you will feel the same way, too, but in any event I hope it's what you are looking for. Cheers!

 

If you want to drink them icy buy anything you want. The chill numbs up many of your taste buds so anything flavorful loses most of its flavors anyway. No point in paying for flavors and ingredients you won't get to taste. :-)

 

Another person disillusioned by ABV. Me, I appreciate deftly crafted lowers ABV brew as much as I do larger one, but to expect prices to be aligned with your preferences is just absurd.

 

Go buy some Tecate.

 

Sigh, more lager ignorance...

 

I am hard pressed to believe that Sierra Nevada Summerfest, Sam Noble Pils, Sixpoint Crisp and Brooklyn Lager taste like Tecate.

 

I see what you're getting at and agree that taste is numbed by colder temps. However, it's not completely numbed. A 33 degree Sam Noble Pils and a 33 degree Tecate aren't going to taste the same.

 

NG Totally Naked or Edel-Pils for the win!

 

The economics favor ales, lagering is a time-consuming and especially a space-consuming process.

 

Someone get that person a jelly doughnut Jack's Abby...stat!

 

I got to try a Summerfest at a Sierra Nevada tasting just last week for PCBW - was a VERY nice pale, and possibly my favorite "Summer"-titled beer yet.