WHAT IS IT?

A standard strength, amber-coloured lager that contains rich, toasty malt character without being heavy, and reassuring hop bitterness without being assertive.

DANGER LEVEL

May provoke waltzing at Quinceaneras.

GLASS

Willi Becher/Dimpled Mug

STYLE STATS

ABV: 4.7%-5.5%
IBU: 18-30
Colour: Copper to light red
Body: Medium
Bubbles: Firm white head

ORIGIN STORY

It’s 1841! Anton Dreher has returned from England having learned new tricks and created Vienna Malt. It’s lighter than the malts being used previously and creates a clear beer with a reddish colour. Instead of a brown, opaque beer, suddenly the good people of the Austro-Hungarian empire enjoy the refined taste of caramel and sweetened cereal grains that is reminiscent of their beloved strudel!

DRINK WITH

• Wiener schnitzel
• Sausage in a bun
• Lengua tacos

WAIT, TACOS AREN’T VIENNESE! THAT’S MORE OF A MEXICO THING!

Well, Mexico was Austrian for about three years in the 1860s. I don’t think they were happy about it, given the short stay. The emperor Maximilian brought brewers with him from Vienna and they sort of stayed on afterwards. It’s amazing what people will put up with if you make a good beer. In Europe, Pilsner sort of replaced Vienna Lager by 1900, but in Mexico they made Dos Equis and Modelo Especial because of its influence.

SIX MUST-TRY ONTARIO VIENNA LAGER

1. Great Lakes Brewery, Vienna Lager

2. Kichesippi, Sasquatch Schnitzel Vienna Lager

3. Old Flame, Red Vienna Lager

4. Clifford Brewing, Chain Link Vienna Lager

5. Shillow, Vienna Lager

6. Matron, Dapper Vienna Lager