Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Lagers

Bottoms Up!

Pale Lagers

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

93 Ekstra Pale Lager, Alivaria (Belarus). 4.5% ABV (11/07)
Rich old gold color. Wet bread dough and light honeyed lemon peel aromas follow through to a crisp frothy and dryish medium body with a nice honeyed nut, grain and marmalade fade. Tasty.

91 Singha Beer, Boon Rawd Brewery Co. (Thailand). 6% ABV (11/07)
Bright golden color. Fresh sourdough bread and dried lemon and faint coconut milk aromas. A frothy, zippy entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of honeyed lemon, rye toast and straw flavors. Finishes in a long, very refreshing citrus zest and praline fade with balanced bittering hops. A super quaffer.

91 McHenry Premium Lager, Clipper City Brewing Co. (MD). 4.6% ABV (10/07)
Golden amber color. Honey, orange marmalade, lemon poppy seed muffin aromas follow through to a round, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a fruity sweet, tangy golden raisin and honey fade with slight dough and nuts notes. Very tasty.

91 Lager, Brewery Warka (Poland). 7% ABV (10/07)
Pale amber color. Charred nut, butter toffee and tree bark aromas follow through to a round dry-yet-fruity medium body with date and powdered sugar and cocoa dusted fig accents. Finishes with a milk chocolate-covered raisin and nut fade with a hint of mocha. Not a pale lager, but very nice.

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 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 Island Lager, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (11/06)
Old gold color. Honeyed golden raisin toast aromas. A round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of golden raisin, honeyed wheat bread, gravel and orange marmalade flavors. Finishes with a lovely fade of dried fruit, nuts and delicate spice.

89 Guera, Tijuana TJ (Mexico). (11/07)
Rich golden color. Buttered nut toast, cheddar popcorn, with apricot jam aromas follow through to a very frothy and soft, dryish medium body with delicate lemon rind and talc notes and a very crisp, mildly astringent snappy hop fade. Subtle, refreshing and elegant.

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.

88 Timisoreana Lager, Ursus Breweries (Romania). 5% ABV (10/08)
Pure golden color with a foamy white head. Honey drizzled nut, melon rind and toasted Hawaiian bread aromas follow through on soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with clay and almond skin accents. Finishes with a light bread dough and lemon soufflé fade. A pleasant, light-styled quaffer.

88 Pure Brewed Lager, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (10/08)
Deep golden color. Cocoa dusted nuts, toasted raisin bread and custard aromas follow through on a soft, smooth entry to a dryish medium body with nice soft, biscuit and citrus rind accents. Finishes with a mild earthy hop and pepper fade.

88 Original Draught, Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (11/06)
Golden amber color. Dark rye toast and orange marmalade aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of caramel, rye and candied orange peel flavors. Finishes with a marmalade, toast and mineral fade.

88 Moretti Lager, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.6% ABV (11/08)
Pale golden yellow color. Mild aromas of light rye toast and cracker and egg white soufflé follow through on soft, but crisp entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with excellent grainy bread and earth hop flavors with a touch of butter and dried fruit on the finish. An excellent food beer.

88 Michelob Lager, Michelob Brewing Co. (MO). 5% ABV (10/08)
Deep golden color. Mild peach custard pastry aromas have a toasty edge and follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with toasted nut bread and savory grilled citrus and root vegetable notes. Finishes with a very clean, honeyed nut and candied citrus peel fade. A refreshing and balanced quaffer or food beer.

88 Longboard Island Lager, Kona Brewing Co. (HI). 5.6% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. Baked citrus, buttered toast, straw aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium body nice integration toast, raisin, citrus and earth flavors. Finishes with a long refreshing wave of flavor. A nice, summer chill-out beer.

88 Lager, Tusker (Kenya). 4.2% ABV (11/07)
Golden yellow color. Wet straw, river bed, toast and mace aromas. A round, silky entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of honeyed cornbread, hay and lemon cream flavors with a quick, sweet candy corn fade. Interesting.

88 Koshihikari Jikomi, Swan Lake Beer (Japan). 5% ABV (2/07)
Pale golden color. Bread and faint dried banana aromas. A crisp entry leads to a dry light-to-medium body of toast, citrus zest and delicate grain flavors. Finishes with a refreshing and mildly astringent wave of bittering hops.

88 Esser’s Best, Cross Plains Brewery (WI). 5% ABV (11/06)
Brilliant amber color. Brioche, light caramel and fig aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium body of rye toast, caramel apple and figs and dried tangerine peel flavors. Finishes with a toasty, raisin and citrus peel fade. Nicely balanced.

88 Ekstra Draught, Svyturys (Lithuania). 5.2% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden color with a lacy head. Honeyed nut and lemon pastry aromas follow through on a rich entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with tropical fruit custard tart note. Finishes with a long, velvety yet crisp fruit. Nice weight and poise.

88 Berghoff Original Lager, Joseph Huber Brewing Co. (WI). (10/07)
Old gold color. Lemon soufflé and caramelized grain aromas follow a soft, frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with a hints of banana cream, nuts and wet stones. A refreshing, fruity and well balanced lager.

88 Baffo D’Oro, Birra Moretti (Italy). 4.8% ABV (11/07)
Old gold color. Fresh toasted bread and chocolate milkshake aromas. A soft, sound entry leads to a dryish medium body of honeyed nut toast and citrus marmalade flavors with a crisp, zippy, white clay and nut-accented fade. A great beer for Napoli-style pizza.

88 Ambar Especial Lager, La Zaragozana S.A. (Spain). 5.2% ABV (11/08)
Old gold color. Toasted brioche, honey cream and faint roasted root vegetable aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish medium body with a touch of toasted buttered nuts and apple and pear skins on the crisp, light fade. Nice style and balance.

87 Zolotoye Pale Lager, Alivaria (Belarus). 5% ABV (11/07)
Old burnish gold color. Toasted-roasted grain, bread dough and paper mâché aromas follow through to a round and dry medium body with nutshell and lemon custard accents and a chewy sweet wheat dough fade.

87 Stegmaier Gold Medal Beer, The Lion Brewery (PA). 4.6% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. Toasted herb bread, nut and faint roasted vegetable aromas follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dryish medium body nice balance and depth. Finishes with a touch of pear skin, rind and earth. Nice.

87 Session Premium Lager, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 5.1% ABV (10/08)
Deep old gold color with a fine mousse. Nutshell, dried clementine and toast aromas follow through on a supple, soft entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with lemon and melon rind accents. Finishes dryly with nice toastiness and a touch of lemon-peach yogurt.

87 Lager, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 4.7% ABV (10/08)
Slightly hazy golden amber color. Roasted unshelled nuts, grapefruit and mild melted cheese aromas follow through on a soft, round entry to a dryish medium body with a touch of stewed okra. Finishes with a zesty lemon rind, toasted bread and metal ore fade.

87 Kell’s Irish Style Lager, Rogue Ales (OR). 4.8% ABV (10/08)
Bright pure golden color with a frothy head. Mild buttered nut toast and creamed corn aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with baked lemon and pepper accents on the crisp finish.

87 Ekstra Lager Beer, Svyturys (Lithuania). 5.2% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color with a pillowy blanket. Reserved aromas of egg custard and brioche follow through on a supple, smooth entry to a creamy, dry-yet-fruity medium body with a caramelized nut and loamy earth notes. Finishes crisply with lemon-peach yogurt and a touch of pepper and alfalfa. A fine food beer to pair with goat cheese pizza.

87 Carlsberg Lager, Carlsberg Breweries (Denmark). 5% ABV (11/07)
Bright golden color. Spicy fruit cake and herb aromas. A round, crisp entry leads to a dry medium body of toast, lemon curd and delicate spices with a crisp, bittering hop fade. A nice quaffer.

87 Beck’s Lager, Brauerei Beck & Co. (Germany). 5% ABV (11/07)
Bright golden color. Mild bread dough, citrus rind and lightly herbal hop aromas. A crisp, zippy entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of bread, sour lemon marmalade and delicate earthy and herbal flavors. Finishes with a very quenching, crisp bittering hop fade. A nicely styled German lager.

87 Baltika Cooler, Baltika Brewery (Russia). 4.7% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Dried honey, Asian pear and toasted apple bread aromas follow through on a round, zesty entry to a dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body with apple sauce, honeyed green tea and praline accents. Finishes with a touch of woody roasted nuts, honey and very mild earthy hops. A refreshing backyard party beer.

87 1846 Birra Blonda, Menabrea SPA (Italy). 4.8% ABV (10/08)
Golden yellow color. Yeasty cheese pastry and lemon yogurt aromas follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with great integration of flavor and a crisp lingering nut, toasted bread and wet earth accented fade. An excellent lighter styled food or session beer.

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 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 Tiger Lager, Asia Pacific Breweries (Thailand). 5% ABV (11/07)
Yellow straw color. Buttered baguette and lemon custard aromas. A round, soft entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of honeyed nut and lemon pie flavors with a smooth creamy lemony fade. A great choice for lemongrass chicken dishes.

86 Tennent’s Lager, Wellspark Brewery (Scotland). 3.9% ABV (11/07)

Bright deep golden color. Fresh baked crusty bread aromas. A soft, frothy entry leads to a smooth dryish medium body of salt buttered baguette and light dried citrus flavors with a crisp, rounded, mildly earthy hop fade. Very supple and balance. A very nice, easy drinking beer.

86 St. Pauli Girl Lager, St. Pauli Brauerei (Germany). 4.9% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden yellow color. Savory toasted multigrain bread crust and buttered nut aromas have a grassy, straw-like hop edge and follow through on a supple entry to a frothy, dry medium body with good depth and persistent, almost tangy citrus and earth hop notes on the fade. A solid quaffer or food beer.

86 Silver Creek Lager, Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (11/06)
Pale golden color. Cannabis-like hop and toasty malt aromas. A brisk entry leads to a mercurial and dry light-to-medium body of spicy rye toast, dried citrus, pine resin and white ash flavors. Finishes with a quick lightly fruity, spicy and herbal hop fade. Interesting.

86 Organically Produced Lager Beer, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (10/08)
Old gold color. Honeyed toast with a hint of caramelized citrus and dried poultry. A soft, round entry leads to a dryish creamy medium body with salty toasted nut and caramelized roasted squash accents. Finishes with a chewy toast and praline fade. A layered, culinary beer to enjoy with a hearty turkey leg.

85 Tyskie Gronie, Kompania Piwowarska (Poland). 5.6% ABV (11/08)
Gold color. Honey nut, toast crust and creamed corn aromas and flavors with a sharp citrus rind and pepper snap and a grainy, hay and mud accented finish. Nice crispness and earthiness.

85 Lager, Karlovacko (Croatia). 5.4% ABV (11/07)
Pale golden amber color. Bread flour, dried orange peel and light praline aromas follow through to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of with nice toasted grains and nuts accents and a lemon pie-like fade. Tasty.

85 Lager, Golden Brau (Romania). 4.8% ABV (10/07)
Golden yellow color. Fresh bread and earthy hop aromas. A crisp, frothy entry leads to a dry light-to-medium body of rye toast and citrus peel flavors. Finishes with a pleasant bittering hop and honeyed grainy toast fade. An easy-going quaffer.

85 Eco Beer, Bio Grande (Holland). 5% ABV (11/07)
Rich golden color. Bamboo sprout, water chestnut, whole wheat flour and clay aromas are interesting and follow through to a dry light-to-medium body with citrus rind and nut accents and a crisp, zesty toasty fade. Curious and fun.

84 Wild Hop Organic Lager, Anheuser Busch (MO). 5% ABV (11/06)
Rich amber color. Brown sugar, candied lemon and citrus powder aromas have a detergent-like edge. Thin, watery apple sauce, lemon peel and raisin toast flavors that finish with a quick, somewhat metallic mineral and grain flour fade.

84 Premium Lager, Alberta’s Best (Canada). 4.9% ABV (11/07)
Pale golden amber color. Honeyed corn bread and golden raisin aromas follow through to a smooth, soft and dryish light-to-medium body with a gentle apple mineral water-like fade.

84 Original Lager, Bowes (Canada). 4.9% ABV (11/07)
Bright golden. Nice aromas of crusty bread and light dried citrus and apple skins. A soft, silky entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of apple bread, tangy citrus and pewter flavors. Finishes with a quick canned apple sauce fade.

84 Nothern 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 Millstone Lager, Niagara Brewing Company (Canada). 5% ABV (11/06)
Golden amber color. Citrus marmalade, gym socks and sour bread aromas. A quick entry leads to a dry light-to-medium body of citrus spray, minerals and raisin toast flavors. Finishes with a quick, honey and reedy riverbed fade.

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.

84 Lager, Bavaria N.V. Lieshout (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/08)
Buttered roasted corn and toast aromas follow through on a lively entry to a dryish, tangy light-to-medium body with dried citrus and light pepper on the slightly prickly finish.

84 Beerlao Lager, Lao Brewery (Laos). 5% ABV (10/07)
Pale golden yellow color. Dried fruit, salted nuts and candy corn aromas. Brisk entry leads to an off-dry light body of creamed and candied corn and sugared lemon flavors with a quick custardy finish.

84 Alpine Summit Lager, Moosehead Breweries (Canada). 5% ABV (10/07)
Golden yellow color. Golden raisin and date bread aromas. A crisp, frothy entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of lemon custard on raisin toast and flavors with a lightly toffeed fade.

84 Alpine Lager, Moosehead Breweries Ltd. (Canada). 5% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. pepper and egg bread aromas follow through to dryish light-to-medium body with corn flake notes and mild citrus, apple and earth on the piquant finish. Pleasantly zesty.

83 Premium Lager, San Miguel Brewery (Philippines). 5% ABV (11/07)
Pale golden color. Toasted corn bread, citrus powder drink and honeyed nut aromas. A soft, lightly frothy entry leads to a dryish light-to-medium body of toasted grain, roasted corn and lemon spritz flavors. Finishes with a quick, sweet corn meal fade.

83 Premium Lager, CusqueÒa (Peru). 5% ABV (11/07)
Golden color. Sour cream frosting, dried oregano and toast aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dry light-to-medium body of nut toast, pumpkin seeds and lemon curd. Finishes with a quick diet lemon-lime water fade.

83 Point Special Lager, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 4.6% ABV (10/08)
Bright golden yellow color with a lacy head. Mild toasted corn bread aromas have a creamy lemon pudding edge and follow through on a crisp entry to a dry light-to-medium body with effervescent lemon spritz and talc notes. Finishes with a lemon sorbet and metal ore fade.

83 Pacifico Clara, Cerveceria Modelo (Mexico). 4.4% ABV (11/08)
Egg bread aromas and flavors with a dry light body with hints of apple skin and nuts. Finishes with a quick, metal ore and buttered corn bread fade.

83 Moosehead Lager, Moosehead Breweries Ltd. (Canada). 5% ABV (11/08)
Bright golden color. Pepper muffin and buttery corn niblet aromas follow through on a crisp entry to a dry light-to-medium body with a mild apple skin and buttered toast fade. A decent quaffer.

83 Hollandia Premium Lager, H-West B.V. (Holland). 4.8% ABV (11/08)
Gold color. French toast aromas have a faint, savory vegetal edge and follow through on a round entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with a touch of creamed corn. Finishes with a dash of pepper, dried citrus and foil.

82 Premium Lager, J. Boag & Son (Australia). 5% ABV (11/07)
Pale golden color. Sour cream, buttered rye toast and herb aromas. A sharp, spiky entry leads to a dry medium body of candied lemon zest, wet mineral and toast flavors with a quick pastry dough fade.

81 Lager Beer, Tsingtao Brewing Co. (China). 4.8% ABV (11/08)
Sourdough, old tinny creamed corn and muddy reed aromas follow through on a brisk entry to a sour and dry light body with unformed bread dough, dead yeast and riverbed notes. Finishes with a thin, acrid buttered nutshell, old butter and canned corn fade.

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