American Lager Recommendations

I was very satisfied by SN Nooner.

 

I've been liking the Dog Tag recently. Never was a fan of the Wright...

 

If you're looking for lagers go with New Glarus all day!

 

I know you're in Ontario, but if you can get your hands on some Czech Mate from Paddock Wood in the big S, you might enjoy it.

I've always enjoyed Wright Pils from Great Lakes (OH), and many other US made lagers of different styles..

Slim pickings in Ontario I am sure..

 

Troegs Troegenator
Stoudts Gold

 

I can't believe I didn't say it, but others have: Sierra Nevada has been absolutely insane lately with their lagers. Nooner is a very good pilsner (maybe a little too hoppy), and it's year-round; Summerfest is criminally underrated here, with its pleasant hoppiness, delicate biscuity malt flavor, and incredible balance and drinkability; the Oktoberfest is ridiculously good this year, easily among the most true to style available; last but definitely not least, the Kölsch is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year for me with its great hop flavor, subtlety, nice yeast character, and incredible drinkability (yes, I'm aware it's more of an inbetween style and not a true lager by contemporary definitions). My only sadness about Kölsch was that it was only available in the summer pack.

I can't wait to see the fall pack around so I can try the Vienna Lager, which I've never had but hear great things about.

SNs lagers hang with the best in the US, and the Okto is one of the best I've had period. I hope they continue to innovate and pay homage to lagers, which is where I hope the industry heads toward next. There's a lot of uncharted territory to be explored there, and a niche to be filled. Give me a great pilsner, kölsch, Dortmunder, Vienna, zwickel, etc. over any session IPA any day, and to me they fill the same category as lowish ABV daily drinkers.

Keep it up @sierranevadabill!

 

that is a good list to start - Stoudt's Pils is one of my favorites from Adamstown PA

 

Summit Pilsener and Oktoberfest would be my recommendations.

 

Well, out of that list I recommend them all.

 

Samuel Adams Boston Lager is all you need to know if you want a traditional lager. You can't get more traditional than this lager derived from Louis Koch Lager of the 19th century. The noble hops aroma is followed by a delicious malt flavor with notes of caramel,a rich feel, and delicious finish. They sell a lot of it for very good reason. It's great.

For the pilsner style, I like Sierra Nevada Nooner. It's everything a pilsner should be - crisp, refreshing, flavorful in a more subdued way than an IPA.

 

Sadly I'm not yet qualified to list too many lagers I would recommend. In due time

 

agreed whole heartedly

 

no mention of "the Crisp" to date? So I will throw it out there.....great stuff, always in the fridge.

 

"Pennsylvania makes great lagers with their German heritage. Sly Fox, Stoudts, Troegs, Victory, Neshaminy Creek"

Agreed. SEPA is like heaven for lager lovers. Anyone know why that is? I know we have a large German population but it's rediculous how many quality lagers and world class pilsners come from this area. Must be something in the water.

I'd say Stoudts Gold Helles is the best lager I've ever had. Followed by Victory Helles.

 

As you have already made mention, the notion is that we have so many craft lagers available is because of the German heritage in Pennsylvania.

There was an interesting article on this topic in Philly Beer Scene magazine: http://www.beerscenemag.com/2014/05/celebrating-philadelphias-german-beer-heritage/

Cheers!

 

My favorite was Speakeasy- metropolis. But i cant find it anymore.

 

Lest we forget Boston Lager...

 

Thanks for the link. I just recently began to appreciate the style myself and I feel lucky to have all these options within an hours drive. Living in SEPA and not appreciating lagers would kind of be like living in San Diego or California in General and not appreciating the west coast style IPAs.

Cheers!

 

Great Lakes Eliot Ness
Victory Prima Pils

 

Jack's Abbey