Ep 159 - Lager Reality Check

Most lagers promise the same thing: crisp, clean, crushable. So we decided to test that promise the only way that matters, by lining up six different craft lagers in one sitting and tasting them side by side. We build our own six-pack haul from Total Wine and More and go can to can, calling out what we can actually smell and taste, and admitting when the flavor is so subtle it turns into a guessing game.The lineup runs from Drecker’s Super Mega Lager and a certified gluten-free lager from Holidaily to a style we honestly did not expect to like as much as we did: Modist’s Supra Black, a premium Japanese-style black lager with rice, black malt, and Sorachi Ace hops. When the color gets darker, the conversation gets easier, because the flavor finally shows up. We also dig into what’s happening in beer trends for 2025: overall beer sales sliding, craft and seltzer softening, and non-alcoholic beer exploding upward, including the top-selling NA brands like Heineken 0.0 and Athletic’s Run Wild IPA.We wrap with HeadFlyer’s two lagers that taste surprisingly close, then finish strong with Schell’s Bock Dark Lager, a smooth, bready, malt-forward dark lager that reminds us why certain lager styles stand out. If you’re searching for craft lager reviews, gluten-free beer options, Japanese black lager notes, or a real-world take on non-alcoholic beer market growth, this one is a fun listen with practical takeaways for your next six-pack.Subscribe for more style-by-style tastings, share this with your favorite lager drinker, and leave a review if you like these comparison episodes. What lager should we hunt down next for a side-by-side test?Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram and Tik Tok.If you are on Untappd, look up NorthwoodsBeerGuy and send a friend request.Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can click on our RSS feed as well.