Brooklyn Lager - Brooklyn Brewery

omokoro

New York

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This review is from memory of my most recent experiences with Brooklyn Lager.

I last enjoyed this beer directly from the bottle. But if I recall correctly from previous experiences, it was of a light amber color with a decent head. The most dominant aroma is malt. This beer is nice and clean tasting, as a lager should be, but then, going against the grain, it has flavor. You can taste malt and there is a decent amount of hop bitterness. If I had to have a (somewhat) widely available lager beer, this would be my choice.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 22:46:36 | More by omokoro

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a vasse, the beer is an orange-copper coloring with a sparse, uneven filmy covering. Aromas of roasted grains and floral highlights. Flavors are rich, roasted, and slightly tangy, with a biscuit and toast backbone and some juniper highlights. Roasty and tangy aftertaste, with a sharp, light, and crisp finish. Easy to drink with full body and flavors. Good.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 23:00:51 | More by GarthDanielson

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quick review tonight: lots to do. But what better way to liven up a long, dull night than with some BEER?!

Bottom of the can says “OCT 2011,” so I’m hoping that means when it was canned (which would put this at just six months old).

A: Looking good: yellow-orange/light amber body with a superb white head. The foam on this sticks up to a full two fingers, leaving lacing in sheets as it slowly settles; looks pretty spirited, with a moderate amount of bubble floating up through the body.

S: The aroma was instant as soon as I cracked the can: bright, citrus hops. Lemon, grapefruit, raspberry, and a wet-hopped-style pine scent cover the majority of the nose. Some great lager grains are there in equal numbers, too, throwing down pie crust, cinnamon apple, lemongrass, and a big gust of barnyard/straw. Finishes with a short-lived mineral and metal character.

T: Bright and tart – hops are there in force – with grapefruit and lemon. It’s clean, not sugary or thick in its fruitiness. It is a little astringent, though it still shows it in a light way: sweet yet puckering, it reminds me of some sort of slightly sour orange candy (those sour gummy worms comes to mind). Malt is toasty and amber in its profile, grounding the palate with buttered rolls, toasted bread crust, and straw influences. Aftertaste is dry and piney, thick enough to render the end of the drink heavier than the start.

M: Fizzy and powerful out of the can, but much more smooth and drinkable from the glass (which I prefer). It works well with the mouthcoating effects of the palate’s finish, coaxing you to take drink after drink.

O: I have to say, I do love lagers. And this one was definitely enjoyable…I’ll have to check out Brooklyn more often from now on. Tasty beer, for sure.

Serving type: can

04-25-2012 23:30:41 | More by BarryMFBurton

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from 6-pack

A- Translucent reddish golden, very little head, about average carbonation.

S- Very little aroma, smells mainly of caramel malts.

T- Caramel malts, a little bit tangy, slightly sweet, tiny bit yeasty.

M- Smooth, average carbonation, goes down easy.

O- This was is a decent go to lager if you don't have too many options. I prefer Boston Lager, but this is definitely close. Not bad, but could definitely use a little bit more flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 01:01:36 | More by jaasen64

jtierney89

New Jersey

2.3/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Brilliantly clear deep straw color with a big bright white head. Good lacing. Sweet pils malt on the nose with a touch of caramel and floral hops.

Very interesting beer, not sure if im into yet or not. Slick mouthfeel with good carbonation. There's a strange sliced pickle taste to this beer, no lie. The bottle still has another 2 months before being out of code so it isn't old. Sweet and faint grainy malt bill up front. Some floral hop flavors kick in along with vigorous carbonation. Pickle flavor comes in around mid palate and finishes off the beer leaving a tinny and pickle aftertaste.

Unique but not sure if im down with this pickle taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 23:02:27 | More by jtierney89

tonyf55

Alberta (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the bottle into a Sam Adams "perfect" pint glass.

Visual (4.5): A very good looking lager with a foggy amber hue, it has a slight opacity that gives it a rusty orange color. A nice, tight, and lasting single finger head that left a perfect lacing on the glass as it slowly receded. Lots of carbonation bubbles floating sporadically throughout the body of the beer. Just fantastic.

Aroma (4.0): The scent really hits you with a sweet, nutty malt balanced by an apple aroma (aroma hop?). Nice fragrance that brings out the balanced malt body in the taste.

Taste (4.0): a real grainy malt base that hits with toasty, nutty flavours and ends with a slight molasses sweetness that is odd in a lager, but reminds you of its "amber" name. Hop flavours are a nice balance, with a mild, fruit bitterness that lets the malt take centre stage.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Brooklyn gives their lager a real smooth, creamy feeling by mellowing out the carbonation on the pallet. Carbonated enough to give it a nice texture, but calm enough to tickle the tounge rather than stampede across it. Medium body with a nice finish that is lightly chalky on the back of the mouth.

Overall (4.5): Overall, Brooklyn lager is my favorite amber lager out there, and may even be my favorite lager. I love the sweet malt backbone that contributes to both a lovely aroma and nice balanced taste. Warm, creamy, and malty enough to compete with an amber or brown ale and it looks great in a glass.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 23:46:21 | More by tonyf55

fitzy84

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer poured with a hazy gold color with noticeable carbonation, an uneven bubbly frothy head, and good lacing on the sides. The aromas are a mix of sugars, orange, and grains. Flavoring of the drink had a relative bitter-sweetness and bread or yeast taste. The drink was light and a bit watery, but still refreshing. A better refreshing drink for the evening.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 03:56:16 | More by fitzy84

BucannonXC5

California

4.23/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a can into a pint glass. Color was caramel paleish. About two fingers of head. Healthy amount of white lacing on the top. Lots of film on the sides, which I enjoy. White and wet.

Smelled sweet caramel malts up front. Seemed to be some citrus lemon hops, but that could just be me wanting it to be.

Tasted pretty close to the smell, maybe a more watered down version. Really liked this beer. Seemed to be more like a pale ale. Still got those lemon citrus notes. Very smooth.

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average-to-lively (above average) carbonation. Abrupt, but smooth finish.

Just a really good beer. And I say that surprisingly. Nothing like I thought it was going to be. Loved it.

Serving type: can

03-23-2012 07:28:15 | More by BucannonXC5

blindpiglet

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark amber colour with a very dense off-white head and nice lacing. Aroma of malt, corn flakes, hops, and slight fruit and honey. Slightly sweet on the tongue, malty, and bready. Medium body and mouthfeel. Finishes with a bit more of a soft hop background.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 22:24:33 | More by blindpiglet

Etan

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pilsner glass.

A: Translucent brass with a small white head. Decent lacing.

S: Big nose of sweet caramel and molasses, with a bit of citrus hops.

T: Nice and fruity with a strong backbone of caramel malt and pleasing grain. Pineapple, pine, caramel, a nice dose of balancing bitterness. Some sweetness and grain in the finish.

M: Lively carbonation. Medium-bodied.

O: Great flavor profile. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 16:55:59 | More by Etan

Fcip78

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Back in 1998 I had my first Brooklyn Lager and I knew then that some 14 years later I would still be enjoying it. Nice amber in a pint glass with plenty of balance. PLenty of hops and malt backbone, but the malt stays with you each sip. Nice finish and plenty of complexity for a session beer. Brooklyn Lager is classic.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 02:20:57 | More by Fcip78

Labeerfinder

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber color with medium of-white head with decent lacing. The aroma is sweet, floral, some bready. Taste is medium sweet, floral, some tart. Finish is light grassy and floral. Mild bitterness that doesn't linger. Has a medium body -- readily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 21:56:51 | More by Labeerfinder

fatmusic14

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - if amber is the definition of Gold and Red, then this is absolutely amber. pours beautifully, very little head, and no lacing because of it

S - Smells like Summer. Sweet, light, slight hints of raisin and honey

T - delicious, light, flavors all work VERY well together, and the refreshing factor is through the roof - immediately brings you to a 75 and sunny kind of day

M - Terrific. Drinks very very well, leaves no after taste but great drinkability and flavors while you're consuming it. Makes you crave more.

O - Worth a 6 pack, at most prices.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 23:06:02 | More by fatmusic14

acevenom

Louisiana

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours amber with a white head. Plenty of lacing is left on the glass. The aroma is of roasted malt and of hops and some sweetness. The flavor of malt hits you up front and the bitterness hops come in to balance it very well. The hop flavor is not overpowering, but it is definitely present. The body is light, but the flavors really help this stand out. The carbonation is just right. This is a solid and very drinkable lager.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 00:27:25 | More by acevenom

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a crystal clear amber color with no visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall foamy off white head which has good retention properties. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Aromas are of caramel sweetness, toasted and pale malts, and quite a bit of hops (which is surprising considering other examples in the style).

T: The flavor is dominated by a nice malt sweetness with lots of caramel notes. The beer finishes with a very pleasant hop bitterness.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Very full flavored and a great example for the style. Quite easy to drink and very much a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 02:46:44 | More by dbrauneis

DeltaGolfSierra

Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color is a reddish amber, with a moderate white head. Citrus hops are noticeable in the scent, with some bread and caramel as well - very nice. The taste is bready and nutty, with a touch of floral hops. Quite flavorful and complex compared to most lagers I've had. Very drinkable and enjoyable. Has to be one of the top of its style.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 21:55:54 | More by DeltaGolfSierra

somestranger

Sweden

4.48/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Testing this beer poured from a bottle into a tulip glass.

A: When poured into the glass a nice foamy head is created. The color is a pretty deep amberish one, especially regarding this is a lager.

S: A very pleasent smell with sweet hints of caramel going on, the hops are doing a good job too giving you that fresh bitter notes. I'm still very surprised that this is still a lager i'm having.

T: Starts of with those malty caramel notes that with some help from the carbonation turns into a fresh hoppy bitterness hitting you.

M: There are a lots of good carbonation going on that together with the hops creates that bubbeling feel in your mouth, leaving you with the bitter tones on your tongue craving for more.

O: A truly astonishing lager. I've had this beer so many times i'm taking it for granted. When sitting down reviewing this beer I realize how great it is and why i'm so comfortable having a couple of these from time to time.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 14:27:41 | More by somestranger

TwinButte

South Dakota

3.33/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at City Tavern in Dallas TX. Awesome bar that definitely has that old west tavern feel. Cozy booths, wood floors and rustic ceiling. Waiting for a shoot out to happen!

Oh yes, the beer. I am not much for the standard fizzy lager these days but really wanted to try something from this brewery so I gave it a shot. First thing I noticed was the hop profile. Can lagers have that much hop aroma? It lingers too and it's not the usual bitter flavor either. Really nicely done in that regard. It had a malty enough backbone to support it and the color was a nice anberish red.

Glad I tried it but won't seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 02:53:49 | More by TwinButte

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very worthwhile Lager!!

It is a highly carbonated beer, and is a nice bronzy-gold color. It is a full bodied beer that has a choppy, bubbly head that doesn't last too long.

It smells sweet, and is a malty, well balanced lager that tastes very bold of either Saaz or Hellertau hops with a wonderful lagering malt that keeps everything in check. It has a caramely sweetness to it, and as it goes down produces a sweet, dry, yet malty bready flavor. This lager is definitely a step above most others, and can be easily enjoyed any day of the week with any meal!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 02:41:31 | More by AMiz602

BillH200174

California

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish amber color, and leaves a thin white head that disappates quickly. The smell is very malty with caramel aspects that give hints of honey and lemon. The taste of this lager is crisp and refreshing the sticky sweet malt weighs on your palate in a good way and there is a lemon wheat flavor on the palate that makes this a balanced refreshing brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 00:28:37 | More by BillH200174

scootny

New York

4.35/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Still a favorite of mine after all these years. This was a staple in my apartment when it first came out. Still like to have it on hand. Huge head that towers over my glass, four fingers plus. Clear reddish amber with mild carbonation. Lots of lace clinging in clumps and rings. Smell has lots of yeasty bread with toasted malt graininess. A nice bit of floral hops and light citrus. A hint of earth sneaking in. Taste is solid with a good balance of malt and hops right up front. Caramel sweetness is couched in malt. A bit of biscuit and a touch of sourdough. Firm hop bitterness balances beautifully. Finish is long and dry with an earthy/citrus hoppiness. Just a touch of citrus and hop oil lingering. Feel is smooth and crisp with a mildly effervescent carbonation that is spot on. Just a great overall beer. Super drinkable with an ability to be a gateway beer while at the same time offer all a sophisticated palate could want. Proud to make this one review number 500.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 00:53:33 | More by scootny

Dave1999

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber with a thin white head.

Smells of sweet malts.

There's a bit of fruitiness to this which was surprising some really tasty malt flavours.

Has just the right level of carbonation. Very refreshing.

This was a really good lager could easily session these. Probably the best lager I've had to date.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2012 22:31:47 | More by Dave1999

thepeter

United Kingdom (England)

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours heavy and amber with a 2 finger head that lasted a while into a thickish film
S - pale and caramel malt, biscuity and hoppy nicely done
T - A malty lager with a very decent hop profile. Biscuity and even a bit of tang at the end. Refreshing and satisfying.
MF - light bodied but full for the style, carbonation was decent large bubbles that are typical for lagers
O - Better than the sum of its parts, a very good lager

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2012 21:18:26 | More by thepeter

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can served in a pilsner glass.

L - amber color with a white head that has good retention and leaves lots of lacing.

S - toasted malt and caramel aroma.

T - sweet roasted malt/caramel up front with light bitter hops on the finish.

M - medium bodied and smooth going down.

O - a good example of the style.

Serving type: can

02-12-2012 01:02:42 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

brureview

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is my first tasting of a Brooklyn Brewery beer, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a style similar to a SA Boston Lager, but the two are noticeably different.

I poured the lager into a pint glass, and got a sizable head.
This is an excellent looking copper-tone beer. It's fun to look at, especially at eye-level with bubbles from the bottom surfacing to the head.

The smell is spicy fruit. There is just enough carbonation in this beer, and the finish could be a little less bitter.

Overall, a good American lager. I want to drink it on tap.

Update( May 9): It's been a several months since I sampled this beer. I put a bottle in the freezer for about 20 minutes, and the temperature was quite good. I noticed more orange rind in the smell and taste. In general, more fruity with a strong orange accent. Quite a good beer at a moderately cold temp.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 14:39:09 | More by brureview