Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Lagers Get Some Love

Pale Lager

Pale lagers are the standard international beer style, as personified by products from Miller to Heineken. This style is the generic spinoff 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

94 LTD 04, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 7% ABV (3/11)
Bright golden color. Rich aromas and flavors of salty toasty baguette with a slight hint of date and peach. Crisp and vibrant with a light chewy dryish medium-to-full body and a long, refreshing, a and astringent leafy green hop finish. A superb session or food beer.

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 (11/10)
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 Speciale Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 5.6% ABV (5/11)
Yellow color. Aromas of brazil nuts, bread dough and circus peanuts with a crisp, frothy medium body and a tangy peppery, honeyed citrus, apple and grassy earth finish. A nice zesty food beer.

90 Lager, Cable Car (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/09)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed biscuit have a hint 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 Coney Island Sword Swallower Lager, Shmaltz Brewing Company (NY). 7.2% ABV (12/11)
Bright golden amber color with a rich white head. Rich aromas of spicy fruit pastry, grilled root vegetable and kale with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a hint of golden molasses and buttercream on the peppery, grassy hops finish. A rich and racy, hopped up lager.

89 Boxer Lager, Minhas Craft Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (11/11)
Old gold color. Fruit aromas of pineapple sorbet, macaroon, and banana cream pie with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a breezy, tangy citrus and watermelon-accented finish. A breezy, fruity pale lager.

89 Organic Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (11/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of lemon marmalade on brioche with a supple, dryish medium body and tangy citrus, roasted corn, starfruit and straw-accented finish. Very tasty.

88 Warka Red Label Lager, Grupa Zywiec S.A. (Poland). 5.7% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Very mild toasted bread aromas follow through on a round entry to a dry medium body with honeyed nuts, wheat cracker, and golden raisin notes. Finishes with a crisp, astringent earth hop fade. A very nice quaffer.

88 Duke Mid Strength Pale Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 3.5% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Light, toasted raisin bread crust and herbal hop aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish light body with good depth and balance. Finishes with a crisp, toasty, lightly astringent fade. A nice lighter styled session beer.

88 Esser’s Best German Style Lager, Esserís Cross Plains Beer Company (WI). 5.2% ABV (11/10)
Dried peach and honeyed nut aromas and flavors with a round dryish medium body and a raisin, lemon zest and grassy hop finish. Chili and cheddar bread    .

88 Baffo D’Oro, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.8% ABV (5/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of honeyed wafer cookies and nut butter on toasted baguette with a soft, finely carbonated dryish medium body and a ripe melon, citrus and golden beet finish. Very tasty.

88 Estrella Damm Lager, Damm Brewery (Spain). 5.4% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden color. Aromas of frittata and toasted nut pastry with a crisp, dryish medium body and a red apple, lemon, and earth-accented finish. A lively, flavorful lager.

88 Chang Beer, Cosmos Brewery Co., Ltd. (Thailand). 5% ABV (12/11)
Bright yellow color. Very mild aromas of bread dough, white nut, and sweet corn with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a starfruit, apple chip and water chestnut-accented finish. A pleasant quaffer.

87 Islander Pale Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (Canada). 5% ABV (11/09)
Golden color. Aromas of honeyed muffin follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with toasted grain and sweet, lettuce-like notes. Finishes with a crisp, mild citrus and cream-accented fade. A solid session beer that will shine at the table.

87 Ensign Fred Pale Lager, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 9.2% ABV (11/09)
Interesting sour yeast, roasted chestnut, herbal hop, and turmeric aromas follow through on a soft, gentle entry to a dryish and slightly sour light-to-medium body with roasted corn and plantain notes. Finishes with a toasty, grassy, mineral-accented fade.

87 Lager Beer, Narragansett Brewing Company (RI). 5.1% ABV (11/11)
Golden amber color. Attractive buttered orange bread toast aromas with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a grainy, white nut, starfruit and orange blossom honey-accented finish.

86 Moretti Lager, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.6% ABV (5/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of nougat and honeyed toast with a crisp, frothy medium body and a refreshing pear, jicama, and mesclun green-like finish. Solid.

86 “Menabrea 1846″ Birra Bionda, Menabrea (Italy). 4.8% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Aromas of frosted peach danish and praline with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a buttered toast, arugula and straw-accented finish. A nice food friendly beer.

86 Rogue Irish Style Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 4.8% ABV (11/11)
Rich golden color. Aromas of buttered date nut bread and praline with a soft, dryish medium body and a smooth, even roasted grain and water chestnut-accented finish.

86 Pure Brewed Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (11/11)
Deep old gold color. Sourdough, lemon and apple core aromas with a crisp, frothy, dry medium body and root vegetable, kiwi, and grassy earth-accented finish. A rustic, food lager.

85 St. Pauli Girl Lager, St. Pauli Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/10)
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 (11/10)
Bright yellow color. Buttery roasted corn and frittata aromas with a round dryish medium body and a frothy citrus granite-accented finish. A clean, light quaffer.

85 Lager, Birra Ichnusa (Italy). 4.7% ABV (5/11)
Aromas of stone fruits, figs, and banana bread with a crisp, supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a mellow apple sauce, bib lettuce and wafer finish. A clean, refreshing quaffer.

85 Lager, Copper Bell (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of scrambled eggs and raisin toast with a crisp, dryish light body and a refreshing citrus custard and bibb lettuce finish.

85 Point Special Lager, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.66% ABV (11/11)
Light golden yellow color. Aromas of buttered nut toast and polenta with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a tart lemon and orange-accented finish. A nice easy-going quaffer.

85 Duke Premium Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.8% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Aromas of omelet and fruit pastry with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, tangy, toasty finish.

85 BIGHEAD No Carb Lager, Burleigh Brewing Co. (Australia). 4.2% ABV (12/11)
Golden amber color. Aromas of Belgian waffle, delicate herb and spice aromas with a soft, dryish light body and a pear, roasted root vegetable and sprout finish.

85 Anchor Smooth Beer, Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore). 4.5% ABV (11/11)
Pale golden color. Aromas and flavors of pear tart and powdered Belgian waffle with a supple, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a toasty, snappy roasted golden beet and spout finish. Tasty.

85 Kenan Lager, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 4.1% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Bright roasted corn and lemon curd on buttered toast aromas with a soft, dryish light-to-medium body and a crisp, nut toast and earthy hop finish.

84 541 Lager, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 4.9% ABV (11/09)
Deep golden color. Tilled earth aromas have hints of peach marmalade, banana bread, and buttered nuts. Frothy and medium bodied with chewy pastry dough-like malt a note of canned vegetables. Finishes with a zippy citrus and grassy hop finish.

84 Gold Crown Beer, Cambodia Brewery Limited (Cambodia). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Yellow color. Mild aromas of bread pudding and poached egg with a soft, silky, dry light-to-medium body and a tart apple core, radish and apple phosphate finish.

84 Cinco Pale Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 4.4% ABV (11/10)
Bright aromas apple vinaigrette, lavender talc, and buttered cornbread toast with a crisp, soft light-to-medium body and a polenta, roasted squash, lemon yogurt and light peppery spice finish.

84 Session Premium Lager, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (11/11)
Bright golden color. Curious aromas of toffee and caramelized sweet potato with a supple, dryish medium body and a soft grain and watercress-accented finish.

84 Tiger Crystal Beer, Asia Pacific Breweries (China). 4.3% ABV (12/11)
Bright yellow color. Aromas of roasted corn and honeyed graham cracker with a supple, dryish light body and a crisp, apple skin, melon rind and sprouts finish.

83 Lager, Kodiak Ridge (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Pale yellow color. Aromas of roasted turnip and cinnamon rice pudding with a soft, light body and crisp citrus and grassy hop finish.

82 Lager, Wingwalker (USA). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Buttered popcorn aromas with a frothy light body and a crisp, sweet potato and lemon curd-accented finish.

82 All Malt Lager, Those Guys Beer (MI). 4.7% ABV (3/11)
Golden amber color with a slight haze. Lightly yeasty sour dough and corn pudding aromas with a crisp, dryish light-to-medium body and a nice wet grain, starfruit, poached egg and mineral tang on the finish. A decent lawn mower beer.

82 Light Beer, Port Republic (USA). 4.5% ABV (12/11)
Golden yellow color. Starfruit, roasted sweet potato, and cinnamon roll with a soft, light body and a jicama, apple and chalk-accented finish.

80 Órale Mexican Style Lager, Del Norte Brewing Co. (CO). 4.5% ABV (11/10)
Bright golden yellow color. Slightly skunky dried grass and toasted herb corn bread aromas with a round dry light body and a funky lemon yogurt, turnip, and musty rag-accented finish.

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