*Minnesota Made Lagers* (2021)

Tried the Heritage Lager today, it was tasty, definitely better than the can of Schmidt's I had last year! Also had the Franconian Landbier at Waldmann since I was in the neighborhood, it was also good stuff.

 

Nothing over the top.. Steel Toe Split-Point, and Falling Knife Of A Feather.

 

Just had Stranger In the Alps.. tasty.

 

You may already know this but just in case:

There are two old time 'heritage' breweries with Schmidt in the name. There is the Schmidt beer of Minnesota and there is the Schmidt's beer of Philadelphia.

You might be interested in knowing that folks who have family ties to the Schmidt's brewery very recently opened a new brewery in Norristown, PA. It is Von C Brewing:

https://voncbrewing.com/

They do not have ownership of the brand name "Schmidt's" but there is tons of Schmidt's paraphernalia in the tasting room.

They also brewed a reconstruction of the old time Schmidt's beer they brand as:

"O.G Pils Legendary Philly Lager American Lager
4.9% ABV
Norristown, PA


This is our take on a family recipe dating back 6 generations. Our very pale American Lager has been built on a base of pale 2-row barley, 6-row barley, and flaked maize to create the most thirst quenching and neutral flavor profile possible. Very light body and drinkable."

Cheers!

 

Have had the Northbound pilsner a couple times this summer. Dry and crisp just how I like them. But I have to say that I keep coming back to Summit Keller Pils, just the perfect beer IMHO.

 

I saw via Bad Weather's Instagram that their Pils is going to be a tap only, non-taproom available beer. Which is good, if a little confusing.

 

Summit Keller Pils is only $1 more per 12-pack than a 12-pack of Leinenkugel’s Original.

Bet you can figure out which one I buy the most of.

 

Picked up a couple crowlers of Callista Pils from Fair State, the collab with Heater Allen. Definitely worth the trip over to the taproom!

 

Wild Mind has a new lager (available on their site to go now). They have been doing good work with lagers, their Ideal pilsner is solid (pairs well with the Vikes managing to not blow it in the second half). The new one is called Lonesome Hillside.

Lonesome Hillside - Lagerbier (4.9%)
Brewed in the tradition of the earliest American brewers with extremely unique and beautiful old world malts from Sugar Creek Malt. One of the most exciting components in this lager is the Bloody Butcher Corn; it is an heirloom corn variety that's been in use since 1845. 100% naturally carbonated and lagered in oak for many weeks. Expect a lovely, rustic country lager. Drinkable enough to have a few and complex enough to talk about.

 

Minnesota lagers suck.



Because I just can't get them anymore.

 

I recently picked up Blackstack Meat Sweats and Junkyard Grandpa Bills Pils. I'm not sure how I feel about them being labeled Pilsners. I enjoyed both but not as Pilsners. Seems they are more well made India Pale Lagers. I even say if I were drinking them blind without the knowledge they were lagers I'd think they were West Coast IPAs. Thoughts?

 

Now I want to crush some Grain Belt Premiums...

 

I'd just like to see Summit and Schell's again.

 

Meat Sweats was good for a stronger “Pils” with new school (post-NEIPA) hops.

Considering the fact that it was co-branded with some ghost kitchen smash burger upstart (and meant more as an accompaniment to same) I’d say it’s right on target. I have yet to try the Junkyard.

 

Meat Sweats doesn't compare well to other examples (say Fair State Pils) and it has the typical Blackstack hop slant to it as @Chaz mentioned. I don't know that I'd identify it as a WC IPA if I had it in a blind tasting, but who knows? I actually finished my last Meat Sweats yesterday, but I'll bring some SNPA to a tasting if anyone still has some!

 

I'll confess my sin: I referenced west coast IPA and then said Sierra Nevada pale ale. Please don't send hate mail.