Augustiner Lager Hell
Cristal Peck, brewmaster and malt specialist, Boortmalt in Antwerp, Belgium
“The ease with which I can down an Augustiner Helles any day of the week, regardless of my mood, is a true testament to its crisp, soft, and balanced drinkability. That ultimate lager freshness, embodied by beautiful sulfur notes derived from iconic Bavarian yeast strains, balanced by masses of Old World German floral hops—all this against a clean and soft malt backbone."
Enegren Rotating Hop Pilsner: Willamette
Cameron Owen, cofounder and head brewer at The Eighth State Brewing in Greenville, South Carolina
“Snappy, aromatic, moderate bitterness with profiles of fresh-cut grass—a beer perfect for nearly any occasion. I had the opportunity to try this early last year when we visited Southern California. John, Chris, and the team at Enegren welcomed us with open arms (and this fresh-off-the-canning-line release). Maybe it was the combination of sleep deprivation, the warm California air, and a fresh, crispy, welcoming lager that swept me off my feet. But it sure did! Whether you have the opportunity to try this release or not, dont fret—Enegren makes some of the best lagers in the nation, so you are sure to get a winner with any of their offerings.”
BKS Pivo Project New Zealand–Style Pilsner
Elizabeth Belden, brewer and quality manager, KC Bier in Kansas City, Missouri
“It's dry and crisp with just enough malty sweetness to balance out the floral/spicy/tropical character of the New Zealand hop varieties. Just a really lovely beer. The BKS team is so careful and deliberate in their approach to recipe development that I'm really excited to see what else they come up with in their Pivo Project series.”
Mönchsambacher Lagerbier
Justin Hawke, owner and head brewer, Moor Beer in Bristol, England
“I love Mönchsambacher because it embodies the soul of proper lager in a way no other beer does. It is liquid bread, with fabulous malt and yeast highlights, exquisitely balanced with just the right amount of bitterness to provide infinite drinkability, particularly when served straight from the barrel. It doesn’t hurt that Stephan [Zehendner] is a wonderful person and also hosts the annual Monchsambach Hardcore music festival. I am home whenever I am there, or when I drink it at Arrogant Pub in Reggio Emilia, Italy.”
Helles Schlenkerla Lager
Sean White, cofounder, Little Fish Brewing in Athens, Ohio
“When you see any American craft brewery with a smoked helles in their repertoire, this is the beer that inspired them. Pale and hammy, with a clean bitterness to back it, this beer can make a smoked-beer drinker out of the non-converted. Rumor is, all the smoke character is from the yeast pitch and the smoked beer that comes with it, not the malt.”