Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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58 Beverage Dynamics • September/October 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com FOR THIS ROUND OF NATIONAL RETAILER BEER PANEL REVIEWS, WE ASKED PANELISTS TO TASTE LAGERS. These reviews include brief tasting notes and a rating. If you're a retail or off-premise professional who would like to learn more about participating in our panel, please contact Kyle Swartz at (203) 855-8499 ext. 225 or kswartz@epgmediallc.com. The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Beer Panel recommends a lineup of top quality/value Lagers. BEER SELECTIONS R E TA I L E R A LINEUP OF LAGERS FIVE STARS (98) Nooner Pilsner (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA) 5.2% ABV, 38 IBUs. A snow- white head from the bottle that has staying power, and a lovely golden straw color that is clear as can be. It has a clean, light, malty nose with a pronounced noble-hop aroma. A perfect balance of malt and corn-like sweetness, with a strong noble-hop fl avor and bitterness that lasts and lasts. This beer is a wonderful take on an old-country classic. (95) Hotter Than Helles Lager (Cigar City Brew- ing, Tampa, FL) 5% ABV, 20 IBUs. This beer pours from the can with a short-lived creamy white head with a crystal clear pale golden color that has a strong clean grainy aroma with very little hop in the nose. Has a wonderful carbonic bite that plays well with clean and crisp malty sweetness kissed slightly with noble hops. A quintessential lawnmower beer made for Flor- ida's long hot summer on the boat, beach or lounging by the pool. (94) Zywiec Porter (Zywiec Brewery, Zywiec, Poland) 9.3% ABV. Opaque black, with tall-and- creamy tan head. Toffee and dark chocolate fi ll the nose. The sweet malt is complemented by toffee, chocolate and cappuccino fl avors. Medi- um-bodied, viscous and creamy. Long, luxurious fi nish. Throat warming is pleasant, and the alco- hol is well concealed. Unlike American or British porters, which are typically ales, this porter is done in the Baltic style, which means it was cold fermented like a lager. (94) Brooklyn Lager (Brooklyn Brewery, NY, NY) 5.2% ABV, 33 IBUs. Amber-gold in color and displays a fi rm malt center supported by a refreshing bitterness and hoppy aroma. Dry-hop- ping with Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Vanguard and Cascade hops. This is the perfect lager for any food pairing — or just by itself. FOUR STARS (92) Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Smoked Beer) (Schlenkerla Brewery, Bavaria, Germany) 5.2% ABV. Burnished, bronze beer. Shor t, bone-colored head is a bit soapy looking (large bubbles). Pleasant campfi re-like smokiness. The base beer (marzen) is evident before the smoke fl avor makes an appearance. The smoky char- acter is subtle and well-integrated, and doesn't seem to be as intense as in previous years. This beer goes great with smoked sausage, or ham and sharp cheddar cheese. (92) Yokel Kellerbier (New Glarus Brewing, New Glarus, WI) 4.2% ABV, 18 IBUs. A Kellerbier is a style of unfi ltered lager dating back to the Middle Ages in Bavaria. This modern interpretation is slightly cloudy with aromas of poached pear and subtle spice. The mouthfeel is round and creamy with some malt sweetness, herbal hop character and a refreshing fi nish. (92) Craft American Lager (Due South Brewing, Boynton Beach, FL) 4.6% ABV, 20 IBUs. Pouring from the can, a clean white head that lingers, and a light golden color with the slightest of haze. Very little in the way of grain or hops in the nose of this beer. What it lacks in aroma it makes up for with a wonderfully hop-forward fl avor, and bitterness that stays with you. Pairs well with un- derstated malt fl avors that fi nish clean and crisp. (92) Eliot Ness Lager (Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland, OH) 6.2% ABV. This Vienna-style lager is one that IPA fans would enjoy. Poured from a 12-ounce bottle, the deep, rich, reddish-copper color had a ¼-inch head that was maintained throughout consumption. A strong hop taste with berry and pepper overtones, and a sneaky 6.2% ABV. ★★★★★ Five Stars (93-100) A top-flight beer. Superior in taste and char- acter, providing an outstanding price/value relationship. ★★★★ Four Stars (86-92) A very good beer at an excellent value. A beer for which customers will keep coming back. ★★★ Three Stars (80-85) An above-average beer at a reasonable price point, which many consumers will enjoy. RATING SYSTEM