I am a huge fan of macrobrew German style lagers (eg, Krombacher, Spaten) but want to support American brewers. What is a good Made in the USA alternative? Ive found that a lot of domestic craft beers that try and imitate the German lagers do too much and there’s always some overly hoppy or ale type of taste. I like to keep it simple like the Krombacher Pils or Hell. Any suggestions?
Trending Content
| +81 | GF doesn’t care about her looks | 49 | 8h | |
| +52 | Affair with my Associate… In Desperate Need for Advice | 23 | 1h | |
| +39 | Insurance as High Finance? | 10 | 1d | |
| +38 | How to sound more eloquent? | 15 | 47m | |
| +38 | 400k/year in HVAC sales? | 26 | 20h | |
| +33 | Would you rather live alone in an outer borough or with roommates in Manhattan? | 23 | 1d | |
| +27 | Why do people listen to Jim Cramer Investing Advice? | 10 | 4h | |
| +26 | Is my boss gaslighting me? | 3 | 4h | |
| +25 | Carnivore Diet | 9 | 4h | |
| +25 | WSO Ranking On Resume??? | 6 | 1h |
Career Resources
Captain Lawrence has a very good Kolsch beer.
Budweiser is also the most german of american beers.
North Coast - Scrimshaw
P Freems in Hood River, OR has some good beers too
Thanks. Big fan of Kolsch too so I’ll check that one out. I’m in Chicago and those are coastal breweries so I’ll check to see if the beer cave near me has any of em. You know any Midwest craft varieties? I’ve been getting Dortmunder from Great Lakes which is good up front but at the end has sort of a strange viscous finish (in bottles, I’ve noticed it’s much smoother on tap). Like to support Great Lakes in general bc they’re employee owned and have resisted the temptation to sell out at some of these absurd craft brewery multiples over the past few years. Metropolitan brewing in Chicago has a great Kolsch variety I pick up here and there I’d recommend.
Is/wasn't Goose Island craft? I remember liking their IPA which wasn't really hoppy at all. Not what you're asking though
Not a big drinker of German lagers, but I have found the Ol’ Factory Pilsner by Two Roads to be very good. Brewed in CT and can be found on the east coast pretty easily
Lone Star Peach Kolsch, super under the radar but 10/10 beer.
Suarez in NY does some interesting beers in that style. Also a bunch of farmhouse ales and things along those lines.
They're entire MO is pretty much to not do the IPA/Imperial IPA trend which is so prevalent in most other US craft brewers
+1 on Suarez, highly recommend the monkeys based in NYC seek it out. Would also add Hill Farmstead (VT) and Tired Hands (PA) to the list for anybody wanting an alternative to the millions of IPA variations.
Dan Suarez actually worked at Hill Farmstead for a number of years before opening his own brewery
Good to hear, I think IPAs are overrated. But the Brewers Association data suggests it’s pretty much the largest craft segment so people really like em I guess. New Glarus in Wisconsin has a pretty legendary farmhouse ale style (Spotted Cow) which is sort of a cult status beer in the area. I don’t think they retail outside of Wisconsin though.
Schilling Beer Company (Littleton, NH) is the best brewer of Euro-style beers in the United States. They specialize in European beers: Belgian ales, Czech and German lagers and ales, Hefeweizens, Imperial stouts and Baltic porters, etc. It's a growing segment of the microbrew market in the U.S., but for my money there are none better than Schilling.
https://schillingbeer.com/schilling-beer/
that's a pretty niche type so interesting to see they have that.
Another great rec, especially based on OP's preferences. Schilling is also my favorite brewery I've visited. Really cool building with a deck overlooking the river and easy to visit while hiking or skiing the White Mountains.
Anything Belgian from Duvel-La Chouffe is solid
Craft brewery space has blown up last couple years. I suggest exploring some of the local breweries who are trying to find their own "voice" so to speak.
If you like German tasting beers, look into breweries in the Midwest. Some of my favorites are 4 Hands and Urban Chestnut in St. Louis. Haven't been to much Wisconsin or Minnesota craft breweries but they most certainly have some great breweries.
Also look into some Austin breweries. I forget what it's called but had one of the best pilsner of my life there from a local brewery.
Von Trapp in Stowe, VT
Big Wave if you’re feeling tropical
Corporis quisquam architecto natus accusamus officia laboriosam est. Consequatur est iste saepe sed aperiam et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...