Best MN Lager?

I'd agree with a few other posts here - Schells has the lager segment on lockdown. Favs include Citra Blanc and especially Fort Road Helles. Those will probably be my go-to summer crusher. Also, I'd take a Deer Brand over other standard American lagers any day.

 

I headed up to Duluth to escape the heat Saturday. Hit some of the taprooms.
Earth Rider Royal Bohemian Pilsner was the winner. I bought a crowler home. I have been trying local craft Pilsners lately. This one it number 1 for now. Very floral, just slightly sweet, clean and crisp, It seemed like it was soft in a good way.
Earth Rider Precious Material was Ok but didn't stand out, seemed weak flavor wise. But I didn't notice any flaws or off flavors.

Schell's Pils and Beaver Island Check Pils round out the top three so far. I have tried Summit Dakota Soul yet. I don't think I am experienced enough in this style to be rating them number wise.

I think Venn Vienna Lager and the bock are solid, but not top notch.

 

I keep going back to Indeed Mexican Honey. I really like that beer.
Also Mankato Kato.

 

Not a traditional lager but wish Schell would bring back Emerald Rye. Only summer beer I miss more is Bitter Brewer.

 

Emerald Rye was nice.

 

Schell’s 1879 Kulmbacher Export made it down to Ames. (Hyvee put it out unrefrigerated, but turns out it was still cold when I got home.)

Definitely an interesting, kind of hard to define beer— which is a big win for me. Smells like a bock, but then finishes more dry like a schwarzbier but with hops that remind me more of an altbier. It’s good.

 

That beer never got any love in my area from beer distributors or beer buyers. Seen it one store in the SW metro. Passed because I knew nothing about it or its age. I will pick it up if I see it again.

 

JUST finished reading this! https://www.beeradvocate.com/articles/17331/kulmbacher-strong-dark-and-hoppy/

Seemed like something Schells or Summit should try.

 

Ha, thanks for sharing. I guess someone should tell Ron about Schell's Stag Series! Schell's version is definitely bitter, but like I said, more in the altbier 35IBU territory rather than the 80IBUs (!) that Ron cites.

 

No need to tell him. He's well aware.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...e-uss-beer-culture.572318/page-3#post-6016355

Edit: Looks like he even had a chance to drink it:

 

Nice! I'm guessing he wrote this line before the festival then, "Sadly, there doesn’t appear to be a single beer brewed today in the Kulmbacher Export style."