German Lagers Take Top Honors

by Marc Dornan, dornan@tastings.com

This round of the World Beer Championships reviewed 70 lagers.

Given the classic lager categories visited in this round of tasting it is not surprising that Germany provided most of the highlights with some familiar names and a new regional brewery. Starting at the top, the highest rated beer of this session was a monumental Eisbock, or maybe that should be The Eisbock, from Kulmbacher Brauerei of Bamberg in northern Bavaria, or more properly the region of Franconia. Having been absent from the market for a while it heartening to see such a classic beer back in the United States. Dark, malty and sweet with a kick in the tail (9.2% abv) that will neutralize any desire top shovel snow or undertake outdoor winter rigors, it is as fine a winter warmer as exists.