Crisp, clean, and often underestimated, lagers have quietly reclaimed their place in the craft beer spotlight. For a long time, they were overshadowed by louder, hop-driven styles, but that shift has been steadily reversing. Breweries across the world are revisiting traditional techniques while adding subtle twists that elevate the style without stripping away its identity. Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring what’s out there, focusing on lagers that go beyond the ordinary and deliver something worth remembering.
What stood out most during this journey was how much precision goes into making a great lager. There’s no room to hide flaws behind heavy hops or bold adjuncts, which makes the best examples feel almost effortless. The beers that made this list didn’t just taste good in the moment, they held up across multiple pours, revealing depth and balance that kept me coming back. These are the ones that define the best craft lagers you need to taste this year, not because they shout the loudest, but because they get the fundamentals right.
A Fresh Look At Modern Craft Lagers
The renewed interest in lagers isn’t just nostalgia at work. Brewers are treating the style with the same creativity and care that once fueled the IPA boom, but with a more restrained approach. Instead of piling on ingredients, the focus shifts to technique, ingredient quality, and patience, which are all essential in lager brewing.
Spending time with different examples made it clear how wide the spectrum really is. From bright and snappy pilsners to richer, malt-forward dunkel lagers, each variation brings its own personality to the table. That diversity makes exploring lagers far more exciting than many people expect, especially if their only reference point has been mass-produced versions.
Pilsner Urquell
Few beers carry as much historical weight as Pilsner Urquell, and revisiting it in a craft-focused lineup was a reminder of why it still matters. The clarity and golden color immediately set expectations, and the aroma follows through with soft floral hops and a touch of fresh bread.
Drinking it feels like experiencing a blueprint for the entire pilsner style. The bitterness is firm but balanced, and the finish is clean enough to invite another sip without hesitation. It may not be new, but it remains essential, especially for anyone looking to appreciate how the style began.
Augustiner Helles
Augustiner Helles represents a softer side of lagers, leaning into malt sweetness without losing its refreshing character. The aroma carries gentle notes of grain and a hint of honey, creating a warm and inviting first impression.
The flavor follows through with a smooth, rounded body that feels comforting rather than heavy. There’s a subtle sweetness that lingers just long enough before giving way to a clean finish. It’s the kind of beer that proves complexity doesn’t always need to be loud to be effective.
Rothaus Tannenzäpfle Pils
This German pilsner brings a sharper edge compared to some of the softer lagers on the list. The aroma is bright and slightly herbal, setting the tone for a more assertive drinking experience. It feels crisp from the very first sip, with a bitterness that stands out without becoming overwhelming.
What impressed me most was how precise it felt. Each element, from the carbonation to the hop profile, seemed dialed in with intention. It’s a beer that rewards attention but remains easy enough to enjoy casually.
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils
Pivo Pils takes a traditional style and gives it a subtle modern twist. The use of dry hopping adds a layer of aromatic complexity that lifts it above more classic interpretations. The result is a beer that feels both familiar and slightly unexpected.
The flavor balances citrusy hop notes with a clean malt base, creating a refreshing yet layered experience. It’s a great example of how innovation can enhance a classic style without overshadowing it. This is one of those lagers that bridges the gap between traditionalists and those who prefer more contemporary profiles.
Brooklyn Lager
Brooklyn Lager has been around for decades, but it still holds its place among the best. Its amber hue hints at a richer malt presence, and the aroma delivers on that promise with notes of caramel and toasted bread.
The flavor brings together malt sweetness and a firm hop bitterness in a way that feels balanced and satisfying. It’s not trying to be the lightest or the boldest lager, but it succeeds by offering a well-rounded experience. This is the kind of beer that feels just as relevant now as it did when it first appeared.
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
For those moments when a lighter lager doesn’t quite hit the mark, Ayinger Celebrator steps in with depth and intensity. The aroma is rich with dark fruit, caramel, and a touch of chocolate, setting expectations for something more indulgent.
Despite its richness, it avoids becoming overly heavy. The flavors unfold gradually, revealing layers that keep the experience engaging from start to finish. It’s a reminder that lagers can be just as complex and satisfying as any other beer style.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
Seasonal lagers often fly under the radar, but Summerfest proves they deserve more attention. It leans toward a lighter profile, making it ideal for warm weather, but still delivers enough flavor to stand out.
The aroma is bright and slightly citrusy, while the flavor remains crisp and refreshing. It’s easy to drink without feeling thin, which is a balance that not all lighter lagers achieve. This is the kind of beer that works equally well on its own or alongside a meal.
Bitburger Premium Pils
Bitburger Premium Pils offers a straightforward take on the style, but that simplicity is part of its appeal. The aroma carries a mix of floral hops and light malt, setting up a clean and classic profile.
The taste follows through with a crisp bitterness and a refreshing finish. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it executes the fundamentals with precision. That reliability makes it a standout in a crowded field.
The Role Of Ingredients And Technique
Exploring these beers made it clear how much detail goes into crafting a great lager. The choice of malt, hops, yeast, and water all play a role, but it’s the process that ties everything together. Fermentation at lower temperatures and extended conditioning times require patience, which ultimately shapes the final product.
I found myself paying closer attention to subtle differences, like how one lager might emphasize a slightly sweeter malt profile while another leans into a sharper bitterness. Those nuances are what make the style so rewarding to explore. It’s not about big, immediate impact, but about balance and refinement.
Why Lagers Are Gaining Momentum Again
The craft beer scene has always moved in cycles, and the return of lagers feels like a natural progression. After years dominated by intense, hop-heavy beers, many drinkers are looking for something more approachable without sacrificing quality.
Lagers offer that balance, providing clean, refreshing flavors while still allowing for depth and variation. They also appeal to a wider audience, making them a great entry point for those new to craft beer. That combination of accessibility and complexity is driving their resurgence.
Pairing Lagers With Food
One of the most enjoyable parts of exploring lagers has been discovering how well they pair with food. Their clean profiles make them versatile, capable of complementing a wide range of dishes without overwhelming them.
Lighter lagers work beautifully with salads, seafood, and grilled vegetables, enhancing the freshness of the ingredients. Richer styles, like doppelbocks, pair well with roasted meats and hearty dishes, adding depth to the overall experience. These combinations highlight how adaptable lagers can be.
Final Thoughts
Spending time with the best craft lagers you need to taste this year has completely reshaped how I think about the style. They’re no longer just a refreshing option but a category filled with nuance, craftsmanship, and genuine character. Each beer on this list brought something unique, whether it was historical significance, technical precision, or a fresh take on tradition.
Revisiting these lagers feels like returning to something dependable yet endlessly interesting. They don’t rely on trends to stay relevant, which is part of their enduring appeal. For anyone willing to explore beyond the surface, lagers offer a depth of experience that’s easy to overlook but impossible to forget once discovered.
