Tasty Lager From the Big Apple
Written: Jan 20 '01 (Updated Jan 20 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good Hop Taste; Not too Bitter; Has Won Several Awards
Cons: A Little More Body Could Make this Beer a Classic
The Bottom Line: This is a very good lager, with characteristics similar to an ale. Hops dominate the flavor
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Brooklyn Lager 2404b |
Brooklyn Brewery was founded in 1987 and brews about a dozen different styles of beer. This beer, Brooklyn Lager, is considered the flagship brand of the company. Brooklyn Brewery first started brewing this award- winning beer in 1988.
Basic Characteristics:
This beer is brewed in the tradition of a Vienna Lager. This type of lager got its name from the city that the style originated in, Vienna, Austria. These type of beers usually have a copper or amber color. Brooklyn Lager fits this description, except that the color is a little lighter than an amber. It's golden, with a touch of brownness, almost like what you would expect from a honey beer. The color is richer than other lagers.
When you pour a glass of Brooklyn Lager, you will notice right away that this is a beer that emphasizes the hops. The aroma is dry, flowery, and hoppy, with a touch of caramel. The foaminess is very good, and it takes its sweet time before it dissipates, leaving clumps of foam on the sides of the glass. This is definitely a beer to drink from a glass, not out of the bottle, so that you can appreciate the handsome appearance.
When I first tasted this beer, I got what I expected: a robust taste of hops, with a little citrus and spiciness. This beer is brewed using only the basic ingredients: barley malt, yeast, hops, and water. Brooklyn lager uses Hallertau and Cascade hops, giving the beer a flavor that's similar to Samuel Adams Boston Lager. In fact, you could probably substitute this beer in place of Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and few would know the difference. It tastes more like an ale than a lager, with the emphasis on the hops. Overall, the flavor profile is bitter, but not overdone. There's just enough sweet malt to keep the flavor from becoming too bitter. The aftertaste is, of course, one of hops and it's quite pleasant. The alcohol level of this product is 5.0 percent by volume.
Food Compatibility:
With its spicy, hop flavored body, this beer is best drank with an equally spicy, assertive food. I recommend serving it with Indian or Thai food. It's also good with a bowl of spicy chili.
Awards/Recognition:
Brooklyn Lager has won several awards for its excellence. In 1989 and 1992, it was awarded the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival. In 1994, it was awarded a championship medal in the amber lager category, by the Beverage Tasting Institute, in Chicago. And, in 1996, it was named the best craft lager in America, by a panel of expert brewers and beer industry personnel.
Final Thoughts:
This beer is very good, especially for a lager. My tastes generally favor ales over lagers, and part of the reason for my approval of this beer is because it tastes very similar to an ale. It has proven itself, by winning several important awards, but I don't think I would go so far as to proclaim this beer the best lager in America. It's definitely better than average, but not number 1. But I still recommend giving it a try, just to taste that good, hop- flavored body. Cheers!
Recommended:
Yes
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