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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Not Your Grandfather’s Lager

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Pale Lager

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

86 True North Blonde Lager, Magnotta Brewery Ltd. (Canada). 5% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden amber color with a soft, thin blanket. Light caramel on nut bread toast aromas with a hint of mango follow through on a crisp round entry to a dryish medium body with notes of creamy polenta and green apple. Finishes with a tangy, citrus marmalade fade with a faint asparagus note.

86 Speciale Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 5.6% ABV (10/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Aromas of herb toast, lemon, and frittata with a soft, round dry medium body with a crisp, roasted corn, citrus, cream, and mineral accented finish.

86 Rogue Irish Style Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 4.8% ABV (10/10)
Bright yellow color. Bright orange blossom honey and Hawaiian bread aromas with a crisp, round fruity-yet-dry medium body and buttery cashew brittle, dried fruit, and citrusy hop finish. Nice character and style.

85 St. Pauli Girl Lager, St. Pauli Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (10/10)
Bright yellow color. Buttery roasted corn and baguette aromas with a soft, supple dry medium body and a crisp, root vegetable, lemon, and water chestnut-accented finish.

85 Shiner Blonde, Spoetzl Brewery (TX). 4.4% ABV (10/10)
Bright yellow color. Buttery roasted corn and frittata aromas with a round dryish medium body and a frothy citrus granita accented finish. A clean, light quaffer.

85 Point Special Lager, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.6% ABV (10/10)
Deep yellow color. Aromas of toasted golden raisin bread, caramel rice cake with a hint of cream and cocoa. Soft and supple with a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a lemon marmalade, wet grass, and grainy bread finish. A nice lawnmower beer.

85 Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 4.7% ABV (10/10)
Bright yellow color. Grain, succotash, and honeycomb aromas with a crisp dryish light-to-medium body and a smooth, poached egg, sweet citrus, and mineral-accented finish. A nice quaffer.

85 Big Head Pale Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.2% ABV (11/09)
Vibrant golden color. Lightly toasty, creamy aromas follow through on a soft entry to a dry light body with hints of roasted grains and root vegetables. Finishes with a crisp, toasty fade. A nice quaffer.

84 Northern Light Lager, Granite City Food & Brewery (IL). 4.2% ABV (10/08)
Golden yellow color. Muted aromas of peach jam, grainy dough, and roasted chestnuts follow through on a crisp, prickly entry to a dry light body with mineral and bread crust notes and a light breezy butter roasted nut and earth fade. A nice quaffer; serve very cold.

84 Lewis & Clark Light Gold Lager, High Noon Saloon & Brewery (KS). 5% ABV (10/08)
Golden amber color. Honey roasted nuts, toasted bread, and lemon custard aromas follow through on a creamy entry to a dryish medium body with melon rind and nutshell accents. Finishes with brisk, astringent muddy hay and lemon yogurt-like fade.

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