To say that the craft beer world in the U.S. has exploded in the last few decades is a bit of an understatement. Back in 1995, there were only around two hundred craft breweries in the entire country. Today, we’re nearing 10,000 breweries in the U.S. These breweries are producing hazy IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and a surprising number of classic, crisp lagers.
The latter just might be the perfect style to bridge the gap between summer and fall. This is because the styles range from crushable, crispy boys perfect for unseasonably hot days to dark, malty lagers well-suited for unseasonably cool autumn evenings.
What is a lager?
While you can still find myriad mass-produced lagers like your grandpa drank, there are many well-balanced, flavorful craft lagers just wanting to be discovered. But, before we delve into those, it’s important to start at the beginning. What exactly is a lager?
You probably have an image in your head of what a lager is. While there are different types, at its essence, most of us think of a lager as a crisp, refreshing, easy-drinking beer. You know, beer that tastes like beer.
In my alcohol career, I’ve sampled countless lagers, and I’ve learned a little about the style. In the simplest terms, a lager is a bottom-fermented beer made at cooler temperatures than its ale counterpart. Traditionally, the style is also “lagered” or stored underground until it’s ready for consumption. While there’s a lager type many of us envision, the lager umbrella also includes pale lagers, pilsners, Vienna lagers, Märzens, bocks, dunkels, and more.
Craft lagers worth adding to your fall must-try list
Now that you’ve learned a little bit about the lager, it’s time to find some to add to your fall must-try list. Instead of writing about Budweiser or Miller High Life, today we’re all about craft lagers.
Zero Gravity Green State
When it comes to classic, refreshing end-of-summer and early fall lagers, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of Zero Gravity Green State. This year-round, 4.9% ABV Vermont-made pilsner is brewed with German Pilsner malts, house lager yeast, Hallertau Mittelfruh, and Saaz hops. This creates an American craft beer that could easily have been brewed in Germany.
It features notes of grass, cereal grains, bready malts, honey, citrus peels, and floral Noble hops at the finish. It’s as well-balanced and memorable as American pilsners get.
Notch Salem Lager
This year-round 4.5% ABV Bavarian-style Helles lager is brewed with Bamberger Pils malt, lager yeast, and Spalt hops. Well suited for fall sipping, it’s loaded with flavors like toasted bread, orchard fruits, honey, lemon peels, fresh cut grass, and a floral, earthy, lightly hoppy, crisp finish. This might be the perfect session beer to drink all autumn long.
Weihenstephaner Festbier
No fall lager list is complete without a traditional German beer. Although not technically a “craft” lager, a great choice is Weihenstephaner Festbier from the oldest brewery in the world (founded in 1040).
Brewed with Munich and Pilsner malts as well as Hallertauer hops, this 5.8% ABV Festbier is known for its complex palate featuring notes of cereal grains, grass, gentle spices, caramel malts, and floral, noble hops. The finish is crisp, memorable, and leaves you craving another.
Jack’s Abby Shipping Out of Boston
There aren’t many breweries crafting lagers better than Jack’s Abby. One of its best fall lagers is Shipping Out of Boston, a 5.3% ABV amber lager. Brewed with malted grains from Massachusetts-based Stone Path Malt and Valley Malt, it also features house lager yeast and selected hops.
This created an epic fall lager centered on flavors like dark caramel, toasted malts, and herbal, floral, lightly spicy hops. The finish is crisp, dry, and gently bitter.
Troegs Oktoberfest Lager
This 6.1% ABV fall seasonal is only available once per year. Brewed with proprietary house lager yeast and Pilsner and Munich malts, it gets its hop aroma and flavor from the liberal use of Hallertau Tradition hops. This results in a balanced, multi-layered autumn beer loaded with flavors like toasted malts, caramel, clover honey, and spicy, floral hops.
von Trapp Vienna Lager
This award-winning, 5.2% ABV Vienna-style lager is brewed with Vienna, Pilsner, and Munich malts as well as lager yeast and German hops. It’s malty, sweet, and perfectly balanced.
Well-suited for fall drinking, it features a memorable palate that includes hints of bready malts, sticky toffee, toast, fresh cut grass, and floral, earthy, gently spicy Noble hops. Pleasantly bitter and crisp at the finish, it tastes like autumn in a pint glass.
Bottom line
If you’re already reaching for darker, maltier beers when the calendar turns to fall, you’re missing out. There are myriad, noteworthy, full-flavored lagers just waiting to be discovered. We implore you to grab one or more of the above beers. Bring them to a football tailgate, an autumn campfire, or a get-together with friends and family.
