Best Lagers in 2013

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013.

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  1. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    I know that lagers don't get a lotta love in these forums. And I recognize that they don't generally have the complexity and the diverse flavor profile of the many styles of ales. But I recently rediscovered lagers after having been unimpressed with them for a good while. And you can't deny that, on a hot day, there are few things as refreshing as a good lager. With the onset of Summer, I wanted to hear what lagers people have been enjoying recently. The two that I have enjoyed are:

    1. Weihenstephaner Original Premium, and
    2. Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold

    In the past, I have liked Victory Prima Pils (Pilseners are in the Lager family) and Samuel Adams Boston Lager, although I tired of them after a while. I wouldn't mind getting a Sam on tap somewhere one of these days. Anyway, just wanted to hear what other readers have been enjoying recently. What are your best lagers in 2013?
     
    #1 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
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  2. TongoRad

    TongoRad Poo-Bah (2,955) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Trader

    Troegs Sunshine Pils is outstanding this year.
     
    #2 TongoRad, Jun 8, 2013
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  3. Thads324

    Thads324 Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Connecticut

    Jacks Abby hopinous union is a damn fine pale lager. I'm actually starting to prefer ipls to ipas. I love the lager finish and cleanliness of the flavor profile.
     
    #3 Thads324, Jun 8, 2013
    VelvetExtract, Morey, LeeMarvin and 14 others like this.
  4. GibbonsTheBeerGuy

    GibbonsTheBeerGuy Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2013 Texas

    My absolute fave lagers this summer are:
    Weihenstephaner Original
    Hops and Grain's The One They Call Zoe
    Samuel Smith's Pure Brewed Lager and Organic Lager
    Hacker Pschorr Munich Gold
    Paulaner
    Zatec
    Real Ale Han's Pils

    I've grown tired of hop bombs and am getting way into lagers and pilseners.
     
    #4 GibbonsTheBeerGuy, Jun 8, 2013
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  5. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Really? Is it hoppy? Funny thing is, I don't mind my hops; one of my current favorite beers is Hoptimum (100+ IBUs). BUT, I don't like hoppy lagers. Brooklyn Lager would be an example. Don't like it one bit.
     
    #5 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
  6. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    That's right! I had forgotten about Samuel Smith's Organic Lager. It is excellent. So is Weihenstephaner. They are a "go to."
     
    #6 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
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  7. surfcaster

    surfcaster Zealot (526) Apr 20, 2013 North Carolina
    Trader

    Jever, Stiegl, and Victory Prima Pils are my hot sun breaks from pale ales and IPAs.

    Stiegl can be a little tough to find but a crisp, clean, and lighter break.
     
    #7 surfcaster, Jun 8, 2013
  8. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    BTW, am I unique on this point? Are there any other hop lovers that don't like hoppy lagers?
     
    #8 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
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  9. Jake1605

    Jake1605 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 Missouri

    New Belgium Blue Paddle Pilsener in the Summer Folly Packs.
     
    #9 Jake1605, Jun 8, 2013
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  10. TongoRad

    TongoRad Poo-Bah (2,955) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Trader

    Similar to Prima but with the hops dialed back a bit, and a superior malt character. It leans on the hoppy side for a pils, but not overly so. The bitterness in Prima really tends to build after a few, whereas in Sunshine that doesn't happen- you could drink a ton of 'em.
     
    #10 TongoRad, Jun 8, 2013
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  11. azureoval

    azureoval Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2010 California

    SA Double Agent IPL
    FW Pivo Pils
    Ruhstaller Giltedge
     
    #11 azureoval, Jun 8, 2013
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  12. Marty91

    Marty91 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Pennsylvania

    I noticed you mentioned that you didnt care for Brooklyn Lager, but Brooklyn's Summer Lager is really good definitely give it a shot.
     
    #12 Marty91, Jun 8, 2013
  13. Marty91

    Marty91 Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Also Helles from Sly fox is decent and should be easy to find in jersey.
     
    #13 Marty91, Jun 8, 2013
  14. LMT

    LMT Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2009 Virginia

    I don't know if it's the best, but I'm drinking a Great Lakes The Wright Pils right now and I'm impressed. I wish I had a SA Noble Pils in the fridge to do a comparison for the style.

    Great Lakes knows how to lager!
     
    #14 LMT, Jun 8, 2013
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  15. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Will do. Haven't ever seen that one. Thanks.
     
    #15 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
  16. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Thanks for the recommendation.
     
    #16 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
  17. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    You ought to try their (Great Lakes) Dortmunder Gold. Very good.
     
    #17 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
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  18. SteelersX

    SteelersX Disciple (335) Jan 30, 2011 New York
    Trader

    Jacks Abbey put out some solid lagers this year.
     
    #18 SteelersX, Jun 8, 2013
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  19. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    Munich Gold.

    End.
     
    #19 RDMII, Jun 8, 2013
  20. Spindletop

    Spindletop Initiate (72) Jun 4, 2003 Massachusetts

    Anything Jacks Abby has brewed. I love lagers.
     
    #20 Spindletop, Jun 8, 2013
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  21. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    I don't think I've ever seen anything from Jack's Abby here in the NY/NJ area. Where are they out of?
     
    #21 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
  22. Chinon01

    Chinon01 Devotee (412) Jan 23, 2007 Pennsylvania
    Society

    No lager refreshes me more in the summer heat than Samichlaus Doppelbock. At 14% abv and dense prune and fig no other beer says summer better.
     
    #22 Chinon01, Jun 8, 2013
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  23. SummitSeries72

    SummitSeries72 Initiate (128) Mar 17, 2011 New Jersey

    Wow, is it boozy (to the taste)?

    That beer is only available in the winter according to its page on Beer Advocate.
     
    #23 SummitSeries72, Jun 8, 2013
  24. Erix

    Erix Initiate (148) Jun 4, 2001 Vermont

    I always really enjoyed the Stoudt's variety case for summer drinking. The two lagers in the case, the Gold and Pils, are very nice examples of their styles, and you also get a nice pale ale and a decent ESB.
     
    #24 Erix, Jun 8, 2013
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  25. Spindletop

    Spindletop Initiate (72) Jun 4, 2003 Massachusetts

    I don't think they distribute outside of Massachusetts yet. All they brew is lagers though.
     
    #25 Spindletop, Jun 8, 2013
  26. ScottieD

    ScottieD Initiate (0) Jul 30, 2011 Connecticut

    Totally agree on Hoponius Union. It is an awesome beer. Totally delicious and stacks up against any lager out there.
     
    #26 ScottieD, Jun 8, 2013
  27. frankthetank86

    frankthetank86 Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 New York

    grrrrr!! I need dat hoponious union. want to try that badly
     
    #27 frankthetank86, Jun 8, 2013
  28. frankthetank86

    frankthetank86 Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 New York

    it's not a lager it's Brooklyn Summer Ale
     
    #28 frankthetank86, Jun 8, 2013
  29. beardown2489

    beardown2489 Devotee (481) Oct 5, 2012 Illinois

    No mentions of The Bruery's Humulus Lager?

    Wow, that thing is fantastic
     
    #29 beardown2489, Jun 8, 2013
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  30. huddyball

    huddyball Disciple (329) Apr 3, 2013 New Hampshire
    Trader

    Don't forget Framinghammer. This is their baltic porter.
     
    #30 huddyball, Jun 8, 2013
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  31. Thads324

    Thads324 Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Connecticut

    If I can get some fresh stuff on my next trip north I'll message you.
     
    #31 Thads324, Jun 8, 2013
  32. frankthetank86

    frankthetank86 Initiate (0) Dec 24, 2012 New York

    sounds great friend.
     
    #32 frankthetank86, Jun 8, 2013
  33. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Poo-Bah (2,546) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Society

    Sixpoint The Crisp
     
    #33 Jacobier10, Jun 8, 2013
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  34. BeerIsland

    BeerIsland Zealot (569) Feb 9, 2003 Pennsylvania

    I haven't tasted the Lion brewed Southampton Keller Pils yet; anybody had it?
     
    #34 BeerIsland, Jun 8, 2013
  35. Spindletop

    Spindletop Initiate (72) Jun 4, 2003 Massachusetts

    Also a lager
     
    #35 Spindletop, Jun 9, 2013
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  36. Erix

    Erix Initiate (148) Jun 4, 2001 Vermont

    It was already mentioned, but I want to second the Sly Fox Helles. Very nice, and while the can seems gimmicky, the lady and I really enjoyed being able to drink it out of the can on a recent hike.
     
    #36 Erix, Jun 9, 2013
  37. Quantum_Dong

    Quantum_Dong Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2013 Wisconsin

    New Glarus Totally Naked is just.....ahhhhh. Their Edel Pils is great too.
     
    #37 Quantum_Dong, Jun 9, 2013
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  38. TheodorHerzl

    TheodorHerzl Initiate (0) Mar 30, 2007 Indiana

    zwickel from Urban Chestnut. One of my favorite beers overall too.
     
    #38 TheodorHerzl, Jun 9, 2013
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  39. tobelerone

    tobelerone Poo-Bah (2,983) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Trader

    Jacks Abby is in Vermont too, at least, and hopponious union is one of the best beers of any type I've had this year.

    Great Lakes dortmunder gold is terrific and the wright pils is very nice too. As OP mentioned weihenstephener original is top notch.
     
    #39 tobelerone, Jun 9, 2013
  40. bubseymour

    bubseymour Poo-Bah (3,399) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Society Trader

    I'm right there with you on both of those. Samuel Smith with their organic chocolate stout and now this wonderful lager really made quite an impact to the beer world in 2013. As if their normal tried and true lineup (RIS, Taddy Porter, Nut Brown Ale, Oatmeal Stout etc) wasn't already setting a high bar for excellence.
     
    #40 bubseymour, Jun 9, 2013
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