After all, there is a vast array of beer available in the world that will match virtually any palate, enjoyability, and food pairing, and it’s not too weighty. A lot of people have grabbed a can of beer along with a football game or a movie marathon before, haven’t they? It’s a perfect beverage for many occasions. Of all of these, Lager is a very light, smooth, and delicate beer that can be quite refreshing. But there are as many lagers as there are countries on the map and more; so why not try them all? This is a top 5 list of lagers to travel for!
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen
No one should be surprised that a German lager is first on the list. Created in Bavaria, in the legendary tavern of Schlenkerla, in Bamberg, this beer is more than iconic; it’s a part of history. It can be traced back to 1405 when the art of brewing was first recorded. The Trums, who have been tending the tavern ever since, still do today, and brew the now legendary Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen is a dark lager, and you can certainly tell because it will add a little bit more body. It’s smoky and deep with 5.1% alcohol, and I think it’s only after consuming at least three sips that you can appreciate the taste.
Trzech Kumpli Lager
With a trip to Tarnów, Poland, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a beer that’s the result of friendship. Trzech Kumpli Lager means “Three Friends’ Lager” in Polish and is named after the craft brewery, Trzech Kumpli. In fact, Piotrek Sosin, Michał Chmiel, and Andrzej Sienkiewicz are the three beer lovers who established the brewery. Nowadays, it focuses on pale ales, IPAs, lagers, and stouts, and their most popular lager is definitely worth traveling for.
Bernard Dark Lager
On the way to Europe to try the lagers above? Be sure to visit the Czech Republic. One of the most famous breweries in the Humpolec area is the Humpolec brewery “Bernard”, whose dark lager is available in almost every supermarket and grocery store in the Czech Republic. The tradition of brewing has been established since the 16th century, but the company itself was established in 1991 when Stanislav Bernard and his partners took over the state-owned brewery and turned it into a family business. You can try the lager and explore the brewery itself in the local visitor center.
Dude Pils!
We’re leaving Europe behind and heading to sunny Brazil, where you can find Dude Brewing. To be honest, it’s one of the coolest brand names that I have ever heard. Wherever you turn, at Beco do Dude, you’ll encounter something as distinctive as the name: a fusion of craft beer and specialty coffee, and modern art. Today, the brewery is at the very center of the culture that supports small businesses and makes good beers. Dude Pils! is a pilsner, which makes it easier to drink than a traditional (bier)-lager, and for that reason, it is popular with visitors and the social scene of Beco do Dude.
Hand of Josh
If you live in sunny LA, you can find breweries that have a “slow beer” philosophy, where each beer is made in a small batch with particular attention to aging without additives or forced carbonation, such as Highland Park Brewery. It’s a team that tries different ingredients and thus makes the Hand of Josh Lager pretty unique! The aroma of the lager is rather minty, flowery, and piny. Beer fans have reported it as being rather bitter with a strong pine aroma, and just a bit closer to IPA than lager.
Going to the USA for Lager?
In case Hand of Josh really caught your attention, here are some tips and tricks for your USA travel:
- Residents of more than 40 countries are eligible to travel to the United States without a visa by using the Visa Waiver Program. Then, you will have to register and pay a fee in advance;
- Some hikes in national parks, exhibits in museums, and restaurants require a reservation;
- Many restaurants, museums, and other attractions in smaller towns may be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays;
- Roaming and the local mobile connection plans might be costly, especially when traveling to the States, so it’s best to get a USA eSIM for the best deal. It can be turned on as soon as you land and offers a smooth connection;
- Public restrooms might be hard to find, and you will probably have to pay for a snack in a coffee shop to get in;
- For emergencies, call 911.
Lagers are Calling, Don’t Keep Them Waiting!
If there is one dream of every beer enthusiast, it is to try as many beers as they can. We hope you’re a bit closer to making it a reality today, thanks to our list. So, no waiting for lagers this time! It’s that same spirit of exploration that extends to the brewing process. Homebrewers tweak their formulas, adjusting the malt bills, hop timing, and yeast types to pay attention to the details.
Even if in a professional brewery or a crafty brewery, there will be a degree of attention paid to fermentation control and conditioning time that will lead to the character of each pour experimentation into consistency. It’s an ongoing tasting, learning, and evolution process that helps preserve the culture and encourages it to continue for the beer community in the USA and worldwide, including brewers, suppliers, and beer enthusiasts, with styles such as rice lager gaining recognition for their crisp, highly drinkable profiles that reflect precision in ingredient selection and fermentation management.
