Löwenbräu Original - Löwenbräu AG

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Picked up a few cans of this to enjoy over the weekend - the weather is improving and I felt like a lager on the patio.

Poured into a Czechvar fluted pilsner glass. Bright golden in colour, some visible carbonation, big frothy head that has some pretty sturdy retention. Not bad indeed.

Nose is some mild hops, floral notes, honey and grain.

Surprisingly decent lager that has some hops and other notes to go with it that I picked up in the nose. Easy to drink, though the carbonation is a bit sharp. Not too bad for a macro, I have to say.

Cheap, tasty lager. Nothing special, but when I'm hoping for a few cans of something I can enjoy without really worrying too much about it.

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 21:20:59 | More by JohnnyBarman

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked this up at Top Hops over the weekend, having never tried this before. I expected this to be a lot like a Euro Pale Lager and for the most part, it was. This wasn't terribly "bright" and even though there wasn't any filler to be detected in this, this had all of the characteristics of a mass-market beer that would go down easily and feel like grain from start to finish.

The pour to this was light - nearly clear with a mildly frothy head that quickly dissipated. Of course, the hue was golden with hardly any accompanying head and a moderate amount of carbonation and bubbles that were present from start to finish. Lots of grain and bread to be found here, with a moderate amount of cereal, straw, and sourness in the back. This was not a quick quaff as the brightness of the up-front notes was drowned out by the lemon-like tartness and astringency in the back. Thankfully, there were just enough bubbles here to scrub most of the harshness clean for the next sip, which is all I took at a time.

Sure, this could qualify as a session beer, but I can't see anyone downing more than one or two in a sitting. While this wasn't a drain pour, it certainly wasn't anything worth remembering either. There could have been more of a bread/biscuit/potato chip starchy fullness to this to give the beer more body but alas, this was pretty watered-down and somewhat generic. While not as bad as other European beers in green bottles, not much stood out about this either. This is only worth giving it a go if you've never tried it, as previously was the case with yours truly.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 13:07:30 | More by JerzDevl2000

SonOfABrewer

Maryland

2.58/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Not impressed with this beer. Smells like straight apple juice. Virtually no sweetness, though, and a sort of flat tasting bite. Thin bronze hue, slightly pleasant crisp mouthfeel, but not as crisp as my old standby, budweiser. Tastes pretty cheap, but I can sort of dig that kind of metallic flavor in that it personally brings back memories of getting drunk in college. Overall didn't like it, but it wasn't anything nasty, and beer is beer. Lowenbrau is ok.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 04:33:15 | More by SonOfABrewer

ktblue22

Vermont

2.99/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Not feeling this beer at all- I like my Helles(es)? To be super crisp, this lowenbrau fell flat for me . Not as clear as I like either - the appearance is like pale tinged yellow. Smell is a little off for me but its hard for me to pinpoint it exactly. Overall I would pass on this beer again, glad I tried it before getting the six pack

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:33:33 | More by ktblue22

Theheroguy

Maryland

3.33/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

First whiff after that bottle cap comes off is very disappointing smells strikingly similar to cheap lagers. For a beer that claims to adhere to the Bavarian Purity Law you wouldn't expect to nose to be so cereal laden.

Its a fine looking helles lager not exceptional a little above average. The taste is what redeems this beer because while it may smell cheap it certainly doesn't taste as such. This is a good mid range helles lager not too sweet, notable hop presence and bitterness to balance out that malt. Once again not exceptional but well done.

A good beer for its price, highly drinkable and pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 20:30:08 | More by Theheroguy

TwilightTavern

Ontario (Canada)

3.29/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Upon pouring a very small small head formed, which dissipated almost immediately. It pours a medium clear bright gold.

It has a light malt aroma, and almost grassy. Though I've heard that some people are stricken with a smell immediately upon opening, it was barely noticeable to me and the smell seemed fairly weak. I actually had to hold my nose directly to my cup to notice anything of a smell.

The golden lager is hoppy upon taste, grainy and stale, with a mild to bitter finish with an after taste of harsh hops.

It is light bodied, with a medium carbonation on the palate with a bitter kick from the hops.

Löwenbräu Original is a satisfying beer that has a good balance of malty-ness and hoppy flavour. It is refreshing and a good representation of the style they are trying to convey. Above average Munich Helles Lager and a good german macro brew.

Serving type: can

02-26-2013 16:34:28 | More by TwilightTavern

metter98

New York

3.44/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear light yellow in color and has a moderate amount of carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that took a long time to fade into a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and also left lots of lacy rings of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: The smell has lots of aromas of bready malts along with some hints of grassy and spicy hops.
T: Like the smell, the overall taste is rather malty but there are just enough hops to cut through and add a very slight amount of bitterness. While this came in a green bottle, no skunkiness is detectable.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is a good representation of the style while also being very drinkable. I could see this as a good choice for someone who is first getting into beer and wanted to try a Munich Helles Lager for the first time.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:31:14 | More by metter98

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.05/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A 330ml green glass bottle with a BB of May 2013. Picked up from Sainsbury's a while back as part of a 6-pack.

Poured into a tulip pint glass. A clear golden colour with medium carbonation. Forms a decent head of white foam that lasts for a minute or two before subsiding. Aroma of light malt with hints of grass and stewed hops. Somewhat harsh, with a faint sulphurous staleness in the background.

Tastes of light malt with a dry, bitter finish. Notes of stewed hops, mild grass and faint wet grain. The background flavour is dry and harsh, with a stale quality. A restrained hop bitterness upon swallowing. Mouthfeel is light and attenuated, with spritzy carbonation and a thin, watery body. Rather astringent, followed by an aftertaste of harsh stewed hops.

Meh - a pretty average lager. This is a shade above many macro products; at least the malt doesn't taste like it's been cut with adjuncts. However it lacks depth and hoppy notes, while the rather harsh finish makes for a sub-par experience. Quenches your thirst, but leaves you unsatisfied. No need to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 22:02:15 | More by jazzyjeff13

doktorhops

Australia

3.48/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ok Lowenbrau is named after the lion, my name means lion in an older version of a modern language, so really this beer and I are already connected in some sixth degree kind of way... plus I drank a fair bit of this when I was in Munich, which means I am familiar with the brew, this is however the first time I've taken a look at it with the objective eye of a beer reviewer.

Poured from a 330ml bottle in to a Pokal.

A: Presents with a clear golden (bordering on straw) body with a fluffy white head that fizzles down to a thin lacing. Appears lighter in carbonation than other Lagers.

S: Aromas of bread yeast hit upfront, followed by cut grass and an almost peach-like hint at play in the middle, finishes with typical Lager grains. The yeast is fairly prominent in the aroma.

T: This Lager has the aforementioned cut grass and grain base, the yeast is less obtrusive and gives it a sour note in mid palate, and there is a minor hop bitterness and an ethanol flavour at the end like a dry vermouth.

M: Watery body with a lightish carbonation... it is a Helles Lager though, and this is a characteristic of the style rather than a flaw.

D: Long, dry and not very eventful. It's a better Lager than many Lager's out there, however it is nothing to write home about.

Food match: Veal schnitzel with a side of bratkartoffeln mit senf and spargel.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 09:06:56 | More by doktorhops

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.4/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pete's Place at Manas Airfield, Kyrgyzstan. Poured into a plastic cup (the only cup available). A bright yellow color with the thinnest head.

A dry and bright grain smell.

It has a nice mild bitter taste, a little bready, not heavy though.

Crisp and lighter feeling. Moderate carbonation.

A good beer for the style. Enough flavor to bring me back to it once in awhile.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 10:04:38 | More by Fatehunter

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

a minor upgrade over the other lousy euro beers. pours golden and clear with a decent white foam head an inch or so high. smells like there might be a little hops in this one, behind the light pale malt aroma is a crisp bitterness that really stands out after drinking hopless stuff all summer. the flavor indicates that its no ipa or anything, but there is a slight hop presence in the finish that is a very welcomed feature. its crisp and clean in the finish, quite enjoyable. mouthfeel is consistent with the style, a little more body and a little less carbonation. overall a trusty go to brew in a market saturated with awful beer.

Serving type: can

08-20-2012 11:44:17 | More by StonedTrippin

Samljer

2.25/5  rDev -32.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Serving can, poured into budweiser lager glass.

Pale gold, like straw, best way to describe it would actually be "urine in water".

Thin 3/4 finger head, dicipated fast, no lacing.

No detectable odor other then a light "carbonation" on your nose.

mouthfeel is like carbonated water, actually it feels exactly like Perrier water.

Taste is very light, almost non-existant, but whats there is straw like and a touch of lemon.

Carbonation is very heavy, hits the back of the throat like chugging soda. Which drowns out what little flavor it had.
People with sensitive asohpagus may get hiccups after they swallow, but they dont stay. "as happened to my mate".

Overall, not a good beer, but to each their own.

After all that being said, slamming one back in the hot sun
is going to feel so so good, its so much like water.

Serving type: can

07-09-2012 06:45:42 | More by Samljer

Cozzatoad

Italy

3/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

330ml bottle

A- Transparent, pale golden body with quite a lot of carbonation showing up. 1 finger, white, fizzy head that quickly recedes to near nothing at all. No lacing

S- A clean, grassy, slighlty bitter note takes the main stage, supported by a crisp, slightly toasted grainy feel.

T- Sweeter than the smell suggested. Grainy malts with a good dose of crackery crispness. Mild fruitiness showing up (lemon, honey). Slight, delicate herbal finish

M- Light body with decent grainy crispness and carbonation to bring a bit of life

O- Decently refreshing, not interesting at all. Totally average, score fits perfectly

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 09:23:20 | More by Cozzatoad

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.13/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lowenbrau Original has a thick, stark-white head and a clear, bubbly yellow-golden appearance, with a decent amount of lacing left behind. The aroma is sweet, lightly-toasted barley malt, and the flavor is of sweet, light malt, biscuit, and a pleasant hop bitterness in the middle and end of the sip. The mouthfeel is light and watery, and Lowenbrau finishes crisp, clean, refreshing, mostly dry, and highly drinkable. This is a very good beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 16:25:31 | More by RonaldTheriot

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Golden body with a finger of head that didn't lace but did manage to stick around. Low but steady carbonation.

Smell: Smells like roasted barley with some sweet honey notes in the background and the barest touch of dry grass. Nothing offensive, nothing exceptional though. It certainly could be stronger.

Taste: Starts with a sweet grainy malt that draws in a bit more sweetness as more barley texture comes out. It builds up to a light grassy crescendo with a slight peppery note that cleanses the palate well.

Mouthfeel: There is a slight sweet malt aftertaste that is nice, and it's subtle enough to build up well. The transitioning of the beer is well done as well but the carbonation falls flat a bit too quickly.

Drinkability: It's medium bodied, so it's a little bit harder on the system then most lagers, but it's refreshing and the aftertaste keeps you sold on it. I could happily drink this all night.

Final Thoughts: All in all, just a very simple and well done beer. This is what the generic lager should be instead of what big brewing has made it into. It could use more complexity, but I'm not that inclined to hold that against this beer too much.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 04:10:29 | More by TheHammer

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 Oz bottle poured into a 1/3 liter mug

A - Bright Yellow color, little head with some lacing, decent activity

S - Buttery biscuits

T - Rich, buttery malt, bitter spicy hop bight to round everything out

M - Nice level of carbonation leaves the palate clean, easily drinkable

O - A great lager and example of the variety.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 23:54:24 | More by DrewSnyc667

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a half finger head with little retention or lace, yellow body, pretty ho hum
scent is bready malt with grassy hops, some light fruit

taste follows the nose with some sweet malt and a little pepper

Light to medium bodied with plenty of carbonation, slight bitterness, easy drinking with a little more comlexity and drinkability than the typical euro trash

Would drink it again in a pinch

Serving type: can

05-03-2012 04:02:40 | More by Stocean1

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.1/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500 can poured into a 22.3oz weizen glass.

A - Pours an effervescent golden color with a steady stream of bubbles feeding a soapy white white about two-finger high off the pour. Minimal head retention, hardly any lacing.

S - Barley malt, toasty grains, and light grassy notes upfront. Some honey sweetness in the background, with a touch of mustiness to it as well.

T - Mostly just clean and unoffensive. Watery graininess permeates the palate here. Light barley malt and subtle honey sweetness. Finishes with gentle grassy hops that just give the finish here the faintest touch of flavor. No real aftertaste. Overall it's alright, but does little more than any other lager.

M - Fizzy carbonation with the body remaining very light. Undeniably watery, but I suppose most macro-lagers are. It's at the very least a refreshing brew, however.

D - Overall, this beer seriously lacks in the flavor department and delivers a rather 'clean & crisp' lager feel, minus the adjuncts and skunk. A simple summer afternoon beer and nothing more.

Serving type: can

04-01-2012 06:07:10 | More by Converge

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

3.93/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Third of a litre serving, in a Löwenbräu glass. Pale colour, two finger head, clear. Crisp noble hop aroma, almost a bit like a north german pils smell. Tasted a hint of orange, was malty with balanced sweetness and a slightly wheaty finish. Fair amount of gas. Easy drinker, thirst quencher. Good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 15:23:30 | More by jonb5

CowsCanBark

Pennsylvania

2.6/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 11.2 oz. bottle into Samuel Adams pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear golden with a one-finger head that dissipates almost instantaneously. Spots of lacing are left behind.

Smell: Skunked. Green bottles suck, brewers. A moderate smell of hops and light smell of malts is behind the skunk.

Taste: Moderate skunkiness, moderate hops and biscuit malts, mild bitterness throughout. End is watery and grassy.

Mouthfeel: Light to moderate body, high carbonation, smooth.

Overall: Not a very good beer, just below par. They need to not use green bottles and need more flavor!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 00:34:50 | More by CowsCanBark

soju6

Missouri

3.35/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nice light golden color with a decent head that fades to some lacing.

S: Has a clean aroma of grain and bit of citrus.

T: Taste starts with a mix of citrus and some sweetness that turns to a nice bitterness and a clean finish.

F: Light body, crisp and refreshing.

O: Decent beer, not a bad as some would like you to believe. Good for a few.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 22:34:10 | More by soju6

PolarBear3

Australia

3.1/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Drank from my Duvel Tulip

A - Poured a nice golden colour with two fingered with frothy white head that disappears to a thin head.

S - Wheaty aroma with citrus and light malts.

T - Sweet malts up front with a slightly bitter and citrus taste to finish

M - Medium Carbonation and light to medium body

O - A well balanced beer that lacks a little flavour depth but is crisp and refreshing and one that I actually enjoy on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 11:42:44 | More by PolarBear3

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-served cold , poured into a stein yellowish/ gold , minimal head that quickly dissappeared
S-wheat with hints of citrus nothing over powering
T-smooth , mellow munich malts , nicely balanced brew
MF-light to medium in body , good carbonation , easy on the palate , no bitter aftertaste
Ov-very easy to drink beer , that has it's time and place

Cheers LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 23:34:02 | More by LampertLand

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bright and light straw coloured lager. Very predictable aroma and taste of the stereotypical "Euro-lager" ilk...

Aroma is of pure golden barley, while the taste also has mild hop bittering elements in the finish. Certainly not "dry & clean", but not an offensive lingering corn-sweetness.

Serving type: can

01-28-2012 01:22:22 | More by hopsolutely

bogus564

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 fl oz, poured into a tall Pilsner glass.

I have my Steak-Umm sandwich at the ready, and I'm feeling good. I learned recently that if you add salt, pepper and garlic powder, it's awesome. Time to have another beer, and away we go...

A: It's more of a yellow gold than a golden gold, if that makes any sense at all. With a careful pour, it produces a minimal wheat-colored head. It's slight on the bubbles as well.

S: Hops, grass, wheat and citrus are on the menu, just as I'd have expected. At this point, the sandwich smells just a little bit better.

T: It's a nice beer, kind of like the polite friend you send to pick up your girlfriend while you wait down the street in your car. It tastes like it smells, and it's not overpowering. In combination with the savoriness of the sandwich, it's even better, though.

M: Good, again bordering on very good. It's carbonated nicely, light in body, the palate likes it, and it leaves a slightly dry finish. It's what you can ask from this stlye of beer.

O: Good beer, it doesn't disappoint. It's ideal with this Steak-Umm sandwich. I wish I'd cooked another, but that would be gluttony; besides, now I can have another beer. Cheers for now.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 01:31:09 | More by bogus564