Overview for the Vienna Lager

The Vienna Lager was first crafted by Anton Dreher in the city for which its named back in 1841. The style became popular in Mexico in the latter half of that century and its tradition has carried on through the modern craft beer era. Its color ranges from copper to amber with excellent clarity. Its feel is medium-light to medium, slightly creamy with moderate carbonation. Its alcohol strength is moderate. Its aroma and palate are predominantly malty with toasted bread and perhaps a light floral or spicy hopping. The Vienna Lager is lighter in feel and strength than the Märzen but is more bitter. Has less malt and is less hoppy than the Czech Amber Lager.

Style Expectations

A moderate-strength amber lager with a soft, smooth maltiness and moderate bitterness, yet finishing relatively dry. The malt flavor is clean, bready-rich, and somewhat toasty, with an elegant impression derived from quality base malts and process, not specialty malts and adjuncts.

Appearance

Light reddish amber to copper color. Bright clarity. Large, off-white, persistent head.

Aroma

Moderately-intense malt aroma, with toasty and malty-rich aromatics. Clean lager character. Floral, spicy hop aroma may be low to none. A significant caramel or roasted aroma is inappropriate.

Flavor

Soft, elegant malt complexity is in the forefront, with a firm enough hop bitterness to provide a balanced finish. The malt flavor tends towards a rich, toasty character, without significant caramel or roast flavors. Fairly dry, crisp finish, with both rich malt and hop bitterness present in the aftertaste. Floral, spicy hop flavor may be low to none. Clean lager fermentation character.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light to medium body, with a gentle creaminess. Moderate carbonation. Smooth.

Reviews

La Yuma

Vienna Lager  •  Veza Sur Brewing Co

La Yuma is a Vienna Lager produced by Veza Sur Brewing Co that balances toasty malt with floral hops and a hint of caramel. Read More

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Vienna Lager  •  Boston Beer Company

Samuel Adams Boston Lager is a Vienna-style Lager brewed by the Boston Beer Company that blends floral hops, citrus, caramel, and biscuit. Read More

Gran Riserva Rossa

Vienna Lager  •  Birra Peroni Industriale S.p.A.

Gran Riserva Rossa, a Vienna Lager by Birra Peroni Industriale S.p.A. blends toasty bread and floral hops with notes of caramel and citrus. Read More

Eliot Ness Amber Lager

Vienna Lager  •  Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Eliot Ness Amber Lager is a Vienna Lager by Great Lakes Brewing Co. that perfectly balances noble hops, toasty bread and caramel flavors. Read More

Havana Lager

Vienna Lager  •  Concrete Beach Brewery

Havana Lager is a Vienna Lager by Concrete Beach Brewery that has a clean palate of toasty, caramel malt with citrus and noble hops. Read More

Beerito

Vienna Lager  •  Oskar Blues Brewery

Beerito is a Vienna Lager brewed by Oskar Blues Brewery that blends traditional noble hops, caramel with Mexican chocolate. Read More

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