Why haven't any American brewers been able to make a solid lager? I typically get Spaten or Becks, but pretty much every American lager I try is terrible

[–] pimeys@lemmy.nauk.io 5 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

It is very hard to brew a good lager, like the good Helles style famously brewed in Bavaria. I've been on a mission every time I come to the US to find good Helles, and I found two places that get very close:

This place in Seattle: https://maps.app.goo.gl/czPMtm4xkunkopEc8

And this in Weaverville: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wuNS33EcQ1qC9zfb9

But quite often even if they advertise the beer as German style Helles, it has some quality that makes it very different. Usually it's sweet or even hoppy. I think for an american a special beer should have a special taste, but a good Helles is just very fresh and crisp beer.

Edit: and Becks is one of the worst beers in Germany in my opinion... At least nobody tries to sell overpriced Sternburg here.

[–] veroxii@aussie.zone 1 points 5 months ago

Yes "sweet or hoppy" sums it up so well. I've been traveling a lot to the USA the last few years and whenever I bring this up at the inevitable craft brewery we end up at the Americans think I have no sense of taste in beer.

But they're all the same and horrible. They've been brain washed.