Vienna Red Lager - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A clear, deep amber body is capped by a short, off-white head that holds OK before dropping to a thin creamy collar and leaving some spotty lace. The nose is gently malty, and a touch toasty. There is a very minimal fruitiness to it but you have to look to find it. The body is medium and it's lightly crisp in the mouth. The flavor displays the 'juicy' malt that Vienna style lagers are known for. It's lightly fruity (red berries) and toasty. The bitterness is restrained as expected, but firm enough to balance, and it finishes dry with some lingering toasty malt and fruit. Very well done; very clean. A highly enjoyable lager that satisfies. It offers enough full flavor and complexity to maintain interest while still remaining quite drinkable. It's worth trying, and since the food and atmosphere are so good it's definitely worth making a trip.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2003 22:42:59 | More by NeroFiddled

Gavage

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: crystal clear amber color with some orange highlights. The head was 1/2" and broke apart quickly.

Smell: light bready malt sweetness is all you can pull from the glass.

Taste: definite bready malt profile with some fruit sweetness and a mellow bitterness.

Mouthfell: medium bodied. Lightly crisp to start, smooth at the finish.

Drinkability: another easy drinking beer from IH, but the style is usually lackluster in flavor overall. Not a bad beer, but not overwhelming.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2010 23:47:21 | More by Gavage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Iron Hill Lancaster.

A: The Vienna lager is a full amber color, brown and red hues swirling together. Translucent despite the darker color, the lager supports a thin head.

S: The nose is toasty, malt-driven. Chewy pale grains are interspersed with fuller caramel flavors. Hops aren't much of a factor.

T: Chewy. The combination of pale breads, biscuity, and darker caramel is nice, a change of pace. Hoppiness is a nonfactor, allowing the malts to do all of the work. The result is a bready base that brings both darker and lighter flavors to the forefront. A nice warm weather lager.

M: The mouthfeel is hard to dislike, both bready and light. Full caramel adds depth.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 19:56:50 | More by akorsak

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the brew pub.

A clear orange golden color, not very red, and light fizzy head.

Nose has light reddish malts, hint of toasty, fairly light overall nose.

Taste toasty reddish bready malts, light crisp lager flavors, no real caramel flavors which is good, touch of hop profile.

Mouth is lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall not bad, nothing really wrong, a bit on the light side.

Serving type: on-tap

09-23-2011 23:31:47 | More by jlindros

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

First had: on tap at Iron Hill, Media, PA

Poured a clear amber with a small white head that receded to a film. Light malts in the aroma and not much more. Starts off malty and nutty, but sort of gives over to a watered down taste. Grassy hops are just barely noticeable. Light body. It's not a bad beer, and good for casual drinking, but not something I'd go back for.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2011 13:44:35 | More by Rifugium

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at the Maple Shade location.

Pours a dark golden yellow color with some subtle burnt orange hues but it's not red at all. Kind of a misleading name for the beer. Half finger frothy white head that quickly fades into a lasting ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

Bland aroma with some toasty biscuit malt, subtle hops and earthy grass notes.

Fuller bodied than expected with some nice toasted malt, biscuit and subtle spiciness. Nice crisp hop presence balances things out pretty nicely. Slightly dry finish. Well balanced easy drinking session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2009 23:20:30 | More by corby112

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Once upon a time, I eschewed lagers, opting for what I felt were more flavorful ales. My FerMentor, TheRealBeerFly, told me that I was misguided, but it was not until one of the BA fests that centered around lagered (the word is German for "to store") beers that the scales fell from my eyes. Sure, I still tend toward the hoppier pilseners, but I have a greater appreciation for the style as a whole.

This came with a good, foamy finger of tawny head with good retention. The color was a deep reddish-amber with NE-quality clarity. The malt was much more evident on the nose than it had been with the Light Lager, sweetish with a bready accent. Mouthfeel was medium with a red raspberry flavor on the tongue. I was put in mind of Jell-O. I do not know if that is good or bad, but I liked it. I also liked the biscuity finish. This was head and shoulders over the Light Lager, but they were both very light for my taste.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

07-11-2009 13:41:05 | More by woodychandler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a salmon orange, a bit off color from the marzen I was expecting. Clarity was bright with a compact and creamy bright white head that was ultimately smooth, whispy and thin allowing for maximum beer allowance in the glass. Extremely tame visible carbonation while the lacing was once again thick and lustrious providing a full sheet coating on the way down giving props to either the brewing technique or very clean glassware, either way this is a good thing.

S: The nose was soft toasted caramel bread with a touch of dry apple fruitiness. Overall was moderate in strength for a lager.

T: The flavor opens up with sweet toasted caramel and some spicness, fresh cinnamon that was lightly accented coming off more as a tweener beer. The flavor was smooth, tough a little light and lacking in substance. A good intro beer, when I think of a Vienna lager I think of Sam Adams as the staple. The hopping and caramel sweetness as well the body fall a bit under here.

M: The mouthful was really light perhaps a low point here even for a lager. Was expecting much more body here and substance. The Vienna malt seemed sparingly used adding just enough to be noticed, but not enough to be appreciated for the more demanding craft drinker body wise perhaps due to over filtering.

D: Easy drinkabilty and average enjoyment gives this a push to just slightly above average status here. Once again a good lawnmower beer or tweener but nothing to rush out or enthuse the more demanding craft driker.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

08-17-2009 22:51:22 | More by beerthulhu

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served cool in a standard pint at the brewpub across from F&M.
A - A medium amber w/ a bone wihit head the size of a penny on its side. The lace is moderate and clings ok.

S - A slightly corny malt odor w/ sweet notes of light malt is all the aroma musters.

M - Med. body w/ moderately full carbonation, gentle sweetness and slightly slick almost soapy feeel w/ a dry finish.

T - The taste begins w/ subtle nutty, biscuity malt w/ subtle grassiness and floral notes in the hop profile. Nice malt smoothness and gentle dry flavors.

D - A fine Vienna, just not my favorite style and lacks some German malt character. I would try this one again, since it is quaffable and perfect for sessioning.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

12-02-2007 16:15:58 | More by Slatetank

kylehay2004

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed at the Wilimington, DE location brewpub.

A: thin head on a amber and brown clear body. decent lacing.

S: aroma is light with sweet caramel and toasted malts, even a slight burnt toast note. Minimal mostly earthy hop notes.

T: toasted caramel malts, fairly sweet with brown sugar, light toffee and bready notes.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: The malts in this one are very flavorful. I would like a little more out of the hops however.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

07-29-2012 14:22:21 | More by kylehay2004

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served as a medium amber colored with with moderate white puffy head.
Smell shows some bread-like malt and a light hop presence in the background.
Taste blends the malt and hops nicely, but the flavor is a bit thin.
Finish is also a bit this, with only modest taste retention.
An OK beer, but nothing great.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

01-21-2008 21:00:12 | More by tgbljb

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

An under appreciated lager style in my opinion... looks the part with a clear copper tinted amber body, minimal head. Scent is pale with notes of caramel, dried malt, light toast, faint earthy hops. Taste follows suit, maybe a bit too clean lacking a little bit of malt depth and sweetness preferred in the style. Lighter bodied, could use a tick more carbonation. Fresh and decent, but lacking something that even some of the Mexican macros offer in the style.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

04-22-2013 14:40:08 | More by rfgetz

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.18/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One of the IH staples, on draft in Lancaster in a Mug Club mug.

Pouring a sample out for the appearance, looks like a nice reddish amber with a thin off white head. Nose is slightly too sweet, carmel malt, toasty grain, and minimal hops. Biscuit malt in the flavor, with a grainy sweetness and bready finish. Medium light body with high carbonation. I'm indifferent to this beer most times, but when I want something for my mug for dinner, this usually works.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

12-31-2011 20:11:57 | More by yourefragile

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in Media.

Lovely appearance. Clear amber body with a small, slowly settling head and lace sticking in patches to the sides of the glass. The whole thing has a really attractive, shimmering quality that makes you want to drink it. I found this to be the best aspect of this beer.

Mild aroma, smells of toasted bread, caramel malt; faint honey; hints of floral hops. Nice enough. The flavor follows suit but is a bit blander than anticipated. Again there is a gentle maltiness; lightly toasted bread, caramel and honey lending sweetness; finish is thankfully fairly dry; floral, grassy hops, with restrained bitterness, emerging mostly in the finish and aftertaste.

Medium-light bodied, medium carbonation; the feel is smooth enough. Decent session choice, I suppose. This beer has a lot going for it in terms of feel, appearance, and even aroma, but ultimately winds up a little bland and muted for my tastes with just a smidge more sweetness than I'd like.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

11-01-2012 03:25:06 | More by tobelerone

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.44/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

At Lancaster location:

A: slightly clear yet red colored body, half finger white head, some light lacing

S: light malts, light caramel, subdued hops

T: mainly sweet through previously mentioned flavors

M: light to medium, sessionable, creamy, sweet aftertaste and finish

O: good for the style and good for me

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

03-08-2013 19:59:11 | More by kangarooAdam59

vfgccp

New York

3.65/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance- Golden amber in color, with off white head. Head retention and lacing are excellent. Great clarity to the beer as well.

Smell- Sweet and Malty, touch of ginger. Low in overall aroma. Notes of honey, as well as citrus notes on back end.

Taste- Touch of nuttiness, possibly hazelnut. Slight bitterness on front end, nutty on middle (nutmeg). Slight notes of green bell peppers in middle. Slight bittery / sour note to finish.

Mouthfeel- Smooth feel on palate, crisp carbonation on front end. Smooth and coating and finishes well. Very robust.

Overall- Excellent and interesting red considering it was a lager. The mix of flavors of a traditional red with the lager yeast notes was very interesting. Great warming property and excellent drinkability.

Serving type: growler
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

08-02-2011 23:46:52 | More by vfgccp

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear amber with some red hues, but not as red as I was expecting it to be, little head, but good lacing. Smells of biscuits and grassy hops. Taste is very similar, sweet biscuity malt up front followed by a dry grassy and floral hop finish. Medium in body with good carbonation. Good for a staple beer with nice hop flavors, very sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

01-09-2008 22:32:00 | More by HopDerek

mikeg67

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Iron Hill Phoenixville. Pours amber hue with a white head and light carbonation. Aroma is sweet caramel malt and hints of hops. Full, crisp body. Caramel malt is nicely balanced by herbal hops on the palate. Long, dry finish. Very fresh, excellent Vienna.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

06-06-2011 15:49:44 | More by mikeg67

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the brewery. Couldn't see the pour as it was served in a clay Pub Club mug. 24oz for $4.50! Nose was grainy, some off corn sweetness. Mouth was grain, lightly hopped, a residual corn-type sweetness that was disconcerting. Longer finish was a pleasant remembrance of German hops. But overall, this style should be dry, crisp, and snappy, and it was over sugary and cheap tasting.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

11-19-2011 01:50:37 | More by JAXSON

treehugger02010

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had a 10 oz glass of this at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Phoenixville, PA. It came in a fat tulip glass.
Appearance: The body is a clear amber color with tons of bubbles floating to the top. The head is a silky eggshell shard, two fingers tall, great retention, thin spiderweb like lacing, and the tiniest bubbles.
Smell: The aromas are yeast, earthy hops, and stale.
Taste: The flavors are nutty, strong undertones of roast, and a slight citrus note.
Mouthfeel: The body is thin, with a dirty finish.
Drinkability: This is a fair beer.
Don't drink and review.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

08-29-2010 21:11:09 | More by treehugger02010

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Iron Hill, Media.

A: Clear amber brown with red hues and nice bubbles. Small, white head. Nice lacing.

S: Toasty aroma. Bready and malty.

T: Moderate sweetness and bitterness. Toasted and nutty with caramel and fruity sweetness. Earthy hops. The finish was about average. Nice and nutty.

M: Light to medium body that was refreshing. The carbonation was lively.

O: Nice and drinkable Vienna lager. Always my default choice at Iron Hill if there's nothing seasonal that's interesting (which is rare).

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

08-14-2011 13:50:24 | More by SolipsismalCat

krisandajt

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this tasty brew while celebrating my 5 yr wedding anniversary with the wife.

Appearance: Had a nice reddish color to it. Some head that didn't linger around too much.

Smell: Could smell the malt, but nothing overwhelming.

Taste: A lighter beer, it had a nice sweet taste to it with a refreshing, clean finish.

Mouthfeel: Pretty standard for a lager. Slight carbonation, smooth texture.

Drinkability: A tasty brew, one of my favorite for the evening given the selection I sampled. It was drinkable, but average tor a lager.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

11-08-2008 04:26:07 | More by krisandajt

pburland23

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Iron Hill Media

The Vienna Lager is not a style I am overly familiar with, so I was eager to give Iron Hill's version a try. Beer is a pretty, dark red color accentuated by a one finger head.

The aroma is bready and very malty, but you can definitely pick out the crispness of the Saaz hops in the nose. The taste is similar to the aroma. This lager is crisp and very clean with a spiciness of the hops and the bready malts.

It's medium bodied, but all that malt makes the lager drink a little chewy at points. It was like to body of the beer was not consistent from start to finish. It's an eminently drinkable lager though with an ABV of 5%. It was a good introduction to a style that you do not often see.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 30 East State St., Media

11-07-2010 16:15:37 | More by pburland23

Biscuit033

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a dark golden-orange With ample head that recedes to a slim foamy coating. Some lacing is present.

S: Sweet malts and some earthy hops.

T: Sweet and malty with a strong (for the syle) hop bitterness. Notes of caramel, toffee, and metallic hops.

M: Both creamy and bubbly with a crisp dry finish.

D: This beer reminds me a lot of Yuengling Lager without the graininess. A little sweeter than I would like for a go to session.

Serving type: growler
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 30 East State St., Media

12-31-2007 23:13:24 | More by Biscuit033

kernalklink

Arizona

3.73/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very solid lager- slightly reddish tint, nice head- strong hop aromas. Taste was balanced but surprisingly dominated by a strong, crisp hop presence. Slightly bready malt,not too sweet, but it lends the brew a lot of weight. Slightly thick wih moderate carbonation. Very refreshing; great session brew with a moderate ABV.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 30 East State St., Media

02-10-2007 15:36:55 | More by kernalklink