All About Beer Magazine

Pale lagers are the standard international beer style, as personified by products from Miller to Heineken. This style is the generic spin-off of the pilsner style. Pale lagers are generally light- to medium-bodied with a light-to-medium hop impression and a clean, crisp malt character. Quality, from a flavor point of view, is very variable within this style and many examples use a proportion of non-malt additives such as rice or corn. Alcohol content is typically between 3.5-5 percent ABV, with the upper end of the range being preferable if one is to get a true lager mouthfeel.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range	Quality Band
96-100 points	Platinum
90-95 points	Gold
85-90 points	Silver
80-84 points	Bronze
Less than 80	Not Recommended

Legend

= Brewpub
ABV = Alcohol by volume
Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

92 Primator Premium Lager, Pivovar Nachod (Czech Republic). 5% ABV (11/09)
Gold amber color. Aromas of peach marmalade on nut bread toast and potter’s clay follow through on a soft, supple entry to a creamy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with hints of dried citrus and nice depth and balance. Finishes superbly in a dried fruit and nut accented fade with lush astringency and earthy clay-like hops.

92 Captain Fred Pale Lager, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 4.5% ABV (10/10)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of fig jam, lemon and apricot butter on chewy baguette with a supple, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and zippy almond cookie, lemon curd, and grassy hop finish. A very nice, very flavorful session lager.

91 Imperial Lager, Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC (Sri Lanka). 8.8% ABV (11/08)
Pale golden amber color. Grilled mango, orange blossom honey, and Hawaiian bread toast aromas follow through on a very supple and round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with honey yogurt, apple, and pepper notes. Finishes with a long, warming honey granola fade. Big and tasty; pair with mighty curries.

90 Lager, Cable Car (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed biscuit have a hint of cashew butter and micro greens and follow through on a soft, brisk entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with nice light balance and a gentle, mild hop and mineral finish. A very nice, carefree quaffer that should cover most bases at the casual dining table.

90 Chang Beer, Cosmos Brewery Co., Ltd. (Thailand). 5% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. Honeyed raisin toast aromas with a hint of lychee follow through on a crisp, smooth entry to a dryish medium body with a hint of apple, nut, and a solid roasted grain character. Finishes with a crisp, balanced earthy hop and pizza dough fade. A very nice food beer.

89 Organically Produced Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (10/10)
Pure golden color. Bright lemon sorbet and grainy pastry dough aromas with a crisp, round dryish medium body and a smooth, baked corn, tart apple and citrus custard finish. A refreshing food beer.

89 Golden Pheasant Lager, Heineken Slovensko (Slovakia). 5% ABV (11/08)
Old gold color. Buttered raisin toast and delicate citrus and spice aromas follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with mild creamed corn notes. Finishes with a crisp, savory butter toasted nut and orange spice tea fade. Refreshing.