Good (but not expensive) Beer Wanted

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Silverstroke, Oct 31, 2014.

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  1. Silverstroke

    Silverstroke Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2014 New Jersey

    Hello BeerAdvocates,

    I have entered on a beer quest a few years ago and I wanted to ask your help. I generally prefer well balanced lagers and pilsners from Germany and the Czech Republic (my favorites are Chechvar, Hoffbrau Lager, BittBurger, Radeberger, and Pilsner Urquell). I have been looking for a decent American brew that has a similar flavor profile to the German beers, but no luck so far. I have 3 simple criteria:
    1. The Beer should not be expensive. I can buy quality German/Czech beers in a range of 7-8 dollars for a six pack and even for less if I buy it by the case. While there are lots of good craft beers, these tend to be more expensive.
    2. The Beer should be widely available in the Northeast.
    3. Last but not least, the Beer should be flavorful.

    I have tried several American beers but none so far fit all three criteria. There are many reasonably priced widely available beers, but they all failed on the taste. I have tried Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Banquet, Shaffer, Narrangassett, Bud, Yuengling, Session Lager, Ballantines among many others. Yuengling came close. It is widely available, great price, but I wish it would have a little more character. Then there is Sam Adams, Brooklyn Lager, which taste great (although slightly different from the German counterparts), widely available, but they run over 9 bucks. I can afford the extra 1 dollar, and sometimes I do buy more expensive beers, but it would be nice to find a good American beer that I can fall back on.
    Any suggestions???
     
    #1 Silverstroke, Oct 31, 2014
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  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    If you're looking exclusively for American lagers that mimic German ones, I think you'll find that the pickings are slim. There are breweries that make good ones, but I don't think that most of them are distributed. Hopefully someone will come up with a recommendation or two for you, but I'm guessing that you won't find any that are inexpensive.
     
    #2 PapaGoose03, Nov 1, 2014
  3. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You're going to have to pony up the extra buck or so, I'm afraid. If you do, then check out Sam Adams Noble Pilsner- you might enjoy it even more than the Boston Lager, and SA is usually cheaper than the rest.
     
    #3 TongoRad, Nov 1, 2014
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  4. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    Are there Trader Joe's in your area? If so Gordon Biersch contract brews some nice German style beers for them, which are priced around $6 a six pack here in Ohio.
     
    #4 scottakelly, Nov 1, 2014
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  5. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Victory also makes some great lagers that are well worth trying

    Available in the northeast, about $9-10 per sixer... But I honestly don't see hofsbrau cheaper than that and you mentioned that amongst beers you approve of
     
    #5 tkdchampxi, Nov 1, 2014
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  6. RochefortChris

    RochefortChris Grand Pooh-Bah (3,271) Oct 2, 2012 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Victory Prima Pils.
    Oskar Blues Mama's Little Yella Pils.
     
    #6 RochefortChris, Nov 1, 2014
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  7. qchic

    qchic Maven (1,303) Jul 6, 2004 Maryland

    I third Victory. What about Slyfox Pikeland Pils?

    Unfortunately, flavor costs money.
     
    #7 qchic, Nov 1, 2014
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  8. msween21

    msween21 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2013 Massachusetts

    I'm thinking that $7-8 criteria isn't gonna leave much. Not gonna find a lot of good beer cheaper than Sam. That being said my favorite American Pilsner is probably Sixpoint The Crisp.
     
    #8 msween21, Nov 1, 2014
  9. choicegrinds

    choicegrinds Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2014 New York

    My gf wouldn't hate my beer drinking if my sixers (oh if only they were all sixers) were 7-8$. She might even have one if i drank pilsners. Welcome to BA sir, have a free like
     
    #9 choicegrinds, Nov 1, 2014
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  10. choicegrinds

    choicegrinds Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2014 New York

    Ohh...and my vote for bang for your buck goes to lagunitas or victory although you're still looking at $10+ for a sixer
     
    #10 choicegrinds, Nov 1, 2014
  11. ONovoMexicano

    ONovoMexicano Initiate (0) Jun 14, 2012 New Mexico

    OP, it would help to know what part of the country you are in. SF Brewing in New Mexico makes a great pilsner and that makes its way to Texas, Kansas and other places. Usually around $7 a sixer.
     
    #11 ONovoMexicano, Nov 1, 2014
  12. Billet

    Billet Pundit (794) Dec 17, 2013 Michigan

    If you can find Twisted Helles from Frankenmuth Brewery in our area, it would seem to meet your requirements. It may be a summer seasonal though. It is very good and reasonably priced.
     
    #12 Billet, Nov 1, 2014
  13. philbe311

    philbe311 Pooh-Bah (2,516) Jan 21, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Stoudt's Gold & Victory Prima Pils are my initial thoughts...
     
    #13 philbe311, Nov 1, 2014
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  14. 302BeerGuy

    302BeerGuy Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2014 Delaware

    Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold. It's not "World Class" like the ratings claim it to be. But a plain, simple, good lager for $7.99 - $8.99 a six pack. That might suite your fancy if available in your area.
     
    #14 302BeerGuy, Nov 1, 2014
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  15. 302BeerGuy

    302BeerGuy Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2014 Delaware

    Look up @RoyalT. That guys seems like he's had everything top to bottom.
     
    #15 302BeerGuy, Nov 1, 2014
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  16. kpacedo

    kpacedo Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 California

    I think you can find staropramen here in the states. I thought it was better than pilsner urquel both here and in Czech republic.
     
    #16 kpacedo, Nov 1, 2014
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  17. WeaponTheyFear

    WeaponTheyFear Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2008 Connecticut

    Trader Joe's beers depend on where you are. In the Northeast, Shipyard brews their beers.
     
    #17 WeaponTheyFear, Nov 1, 2014
  18. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The private label Trader Joe's beers using the dba of "Josephsbrau Brewing Co. sold in the northeast (at least the NJ stores) are brewed by Gordon Biersch - the labels note "San Jose, CA" as the brewery location. Just as the "Mission St." beers using the dba of "Steinhaus Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA" are/were from Firestone-Walker.

    Shipyard brews their "Kennebunkport" labeled brands.
     
    #18 jesskidden, Nov 1, 2014
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  19. Chaz

    Chaz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,668) Feb 3, 2002 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Is the F.X. Matt Saranac line still around? They used to have some good beers for a budget - even a couple of decent, all-malt pale lagers (including a Pils) as I recall. Edit: I just looked and see that they have a pale lager which features Noble hops, along with a Schwarzbier.
    . . . and hopefully nobody finds any inexpensive Steinhaus Brewing Co. beer out of New Ulm on the shelves. :sunglasses:
     
    #19 Chaz, Nov 1, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2014
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  20. 302BeerGuy

    302BeerGuy Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2014 Delaware

    Saranac Lager was my staple when I lived in Vermont 10 years ago:slight_smile:
     
    #20 302BeerGuy, Nov 1, 2014
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