Lager-Only Craft Breweries

I enjoyed reading your review of the German Pilsner. I look forward to hearing what you think of the Dunkel. The Dunkel style is very common for US craft breweries. I enjoy drinking a Sly Fox Dunkel from time to time (I prefer it on draft).

Did you buy the six-pack at the brewery? Would you happen to know if Gunpowder Falls distributes to SEPA?

Cheers!

 

Gordon Biersch WAS lager only back in the 1990's and prior, or at least in their focus. I think they've been around for what, 25 years? Then in late 90's they had a Hefe-Weizen seasonal that violated their lagers only policy, and it was in such high demand that they made it a regular offering and eventually kicked the blonde bock. Sad about that. This is one of the few breweries I've supported that has gotten worse as the craft beer movement changed and grew, in my opinion. They also nixed the Dunkles from their regular lineup at most locations too.

 

In the UK, Camden Town Brewery (http://www.camdentownbrewery.com/) is definitely lager-centric, even though they have other beers in their lineup.

 

Capital Brewery (WI) and Olde Mecklenburg (NC) are both lager focused from what I understand.

 

Yeah, but it still ain't the same.

Damn good beers, though.

 

Focused, but not "only." And it sounds like Capital is going into a renaissance of sorts with their long-time brewmaster, Kirby Nelson, going off on his own -- lots of new top-fermented beers coming out of Middleton.

 

Wolverine State Brewing in Michigan is lager focused. They have made some small batch ales on occasion.

 

Edit: I forgot the "not"; The Dunkel style is not very common for US craft breweries

 

There really aren't many. Even most German-themed breweries tend to have a weissbier along with rotating alt/koelsch taps.

 

a la our friends at Prost Brewing in Denver...

 

Not exclusively lagers but lots of them at The Old Mecklenburg brewery.

Regardless of how many lager-only or lager-centric breweries there are, I wish there were more!

 

Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, CA. The only beer they make is Trumer Pils; a very tasty beer!

Cheers!

 

Gunpowder participated in the recent Lancaster Craft Brew Fest with the hope that more recognition in York and Lancaster Counties will spur growth in those areas. Their pub is right off of Rte 83 but only open a few days a week. They like to slow pour a nice meringue head so you can get antsy if you're thirsty. So far, most of Martin Virga's beers have been heading south. I've been getting the occasional Jack's Abbey beer from Jamie Magee and they are really good. Trapp still is my favorite so far; it would be nice to get some of the others mentioned above.

 

“So far, most of Martin Virga's beers have been heading south.” By south, you mean Baltimore, right?

Cheers!

 

Germany has innumerable lager only breweries which would be regarded as craft in the US.

Kolsch and Alt are lagers according to their countries of origin.
Lagerbier is defined as either;

1. - beer which has undergone lagering, i.e. a long period of cold storage where the temperature is gradually reduced to around 0º C.
2. - a bottom-fermenting beer of around 12º Plato

 

Olde Mecklenburg in Charlotte and Red Oak in Greensboro (Whitsett). Both are very popular, with Olde Meck being really outstanding.

 

Not a "craft" brewery according to the Brewers Association and, given the fact that they predate the craft era by a century and, like almost every brewery before that era, brewed their flagship beers with adjuncts, I think most would not consider their products "craft".

And they recently brewed a seasonal top-fermented alt, didn't they?

(Note - I've been a Straub fan since the late 70s, and it is the only US style adjunct lager I will buy consistently when I find it fresh, since that period. Granted, buying it has always meant a trip to PA for me, living in central NJ and the Southern tier of NYS.)

 

Backpocket Brewing out of Coralville, Iowa are a lager-focused brewery, though they do have a German Pale Ale on draft. They are only a year old, so their lineup is small, but their Wooden Nickel peated Scottish lager is amazing! They also adhere to Reinheitsgebot.

http://www.backpocketbrewing.com/

 

@Jackhorzempa
Martin was involved with Baltimore Brewing Co (DeGroen's) and Ellicott Mills Brewing Co and wanted to set Gunpowder Falls up in MD (the name is actually a park in northern Baltimore County). He could not find a suitable facility (or regulatory environment) so wound up just over the border in PA.

@jesskidden
During a visit there some time ago, GM Vince Assetta indicated that current generation moving into control is looking to get out the traditional styles. They did brew an IPA a year and a half ago which was served at the State College Brewfest but I don't think ever got to market. The Alt and then the IPL are probably harbingers of things to come. The brewery is very hands on and, excepting the ingredient quibble, certainly qualifies as "craft". One of the few commercial outfits still using a grant.