CLEVELAND, Ohio – We head metaphorically to Europe, tasting seven beers from four European countries.
It still feels more like summer than fall, so we tried all lagers this month. They top out at 6% alcohol.
As usual, all should be available on local store shelves. Our photos show what the beers look like, and we note our favorites at the end.
Cheers!
PrimatorMarc Bona, cleveland.comCZECH REPUBLIC: Primator
Primator, 5%
Clean tasting, very quaffable with a hoppy kick. It’s usually American pilsners that get hopped up a bit, so this was a pleasant surprise.
Berliner GeschichteMarc Bona, cleveland.comGERMANY: Berliner Geschichte
Privatbrauerei Eibau, 4.8%
Definite hoppiness – a bit of a surprise for a German Pilsner – with pleasing tea notes that dry it out. Smooth and drinkable, perfect for sitting around a campfire. The beer’s name translates to “Berlin’s history.”
Erdinger BrauhausMarc Bona, cleveland.comGERMANY: Erdinger
Erdinger Brauhaus, 5.1%
A bit of lime (fresh, not tart) is immediate, and there’s some yeastiness to the taste. But the finish drops off a cliff. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.
RadebergerMarc Bona, cleveland.comGERMANY: Radeberger Pilsner
Radeberger Exportbierbrauerei, 4.8%
Smooth, with lemon notes and a nice hoppiness.
Perla ChmielowaMarc Bona, cleveland.comPOLAND: Perla Chmielowa
Perla Browary Lubelskie, 6%
Balanced hops and malts, slight yeastiness, extremely drinkable. Very dry, pleasing finish, though it’s slightly alcoholic tasting – rare among lagers.
Zatecky Svetly LezakMarc Bona, cleveland.comPOLAND: Žatecký Světlý Ležák
Okocim, 5%
The beer uses traditional Saaz hops from the region. Slightly hoppy, some yeastiness. Quenching after cutting the lawn or raking some leaves.
KoryfeiMarc Bona, cleveland.comUKRAINE: Koryfei Dryfei
Opillia Brewery, 4.2%
Drinkable, though this was the only one in the bunch with a slight sweet tinge that you sometimes get from lagers. Nice, though nothing too outstanding.
This month’s favorites: The Czech beer Primator and a pair of the Germans – Berliner Geschichte and Radeberger Pilsner.
Six-pack of beer and brewery news
• Market Garden Brewery is out with its Fall Fest variety pack – three cans each of Camper Pale Ale, Buckeye Peanut Butter Stout, Ohio City Oktoberfest and the popular Franklin Castle Pumpkin Spice Ale.
• Mentor Brewing Co. announced Jan. 1 will be its last day.
• Rozi’s Wine House will hold a tap takeover Saturday, Oct. 11, featuring Tired Hands Brewing Co. Eight beers from the Ardmore, Pennsylvania, brewery will be poured, including a keg of Trendler Oktoberfest, a German-Style Festbier at 5.1% alcohol, on side pull. List: Alien Church New England-Style IPA, 7%; DDH Alien Church Citra+Galaxy New England-Style IPA, 7%; Ourison Belgian-style Saison, 4.8%; Death Tripper New England-Style IPA, 6.66%; DDH Refreshing (Motueka) New England-Style Double IPA, 8%; Only Void (Tiramisu) Imperial Stout, 9%; Crushable Church New England-Style Session IPA, 4.8%. It’s a pay-by-the-glass event. Rozi’s is at 14900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood.
• Yard House’s annual Oktoberfest celebration includes refillable souvenir steins (32 ounces), purchased for $15 plus the price of a half-yard pour, which unlocks daily $5 stein refills of any beer offered in a half yard. Through Sunday, Oct. 26, cicerone-trained bartenders will pour a variety of German and other fest beers, which include Athletic Oktoberfest non-alcoholic beer. Yard House also is featuring German-inspired dishes. It’s in Crocker Park, at 160 Union St., Westlake.
• Tröegs Independent Brewing is back with its Master of Pumpkins. The brewery sources 3,000 pounds of Pennsylvania-grown longneck pumpkins to brew the beer. After harvest, brewery staff clean, slice, roast and purée the pumpkins before adding them at the start of the brewing process. It’s billed as being subtly spiced with cinnamon, clove, ginger and nutmeg. It’s available on draft and in 16-ounce cans.
• Von Ebert Brewing has hand-painted its 20,000-gallon silo as a Volatile Substance NW IPA can in Portland. It is believed to be the biggest and only beer-can silo in Oregon. The silo measures 12 feet by 26 feet. If it were filled with beer, it would hold nearly 158,000 pints.
Our reviews: Most of the beers we buy come from Northeast Ohio retail shops and stores. We choose from Heinen’s, Red, Wine & Brew; Acme, Giant Eagle, Mustard Seed Market, Whole Foods and others.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.