of 6.1 % Lowenbrau Lager Review

Lowenbrau Lager Review and Guide: Is It Any Good?

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Lowenbrau Lager is a traditional and authentic German beer with a rich brewing heritage dating back to the 1300s. Born and bred in Munich, Germany, Lowenbrau Lager was first introduced in 1383 and is still produced in Munich today.

Not only has this recipe stood the test of time, but it has also evolved into one of the finest, most adored, and most respected beers in the world. Lowenbrau Lager is full-flavored and medium-bodied, with delectable aromas of sweet fruit, natural honey, and creamy malt. These aromas are followed by tastes of creamy malt and freshly baked goods. The finish is dry, mildly bitter, and satisfying.       

Pros and Cons of Lowenbrau Premium Lager

Pros

  • 800 years of rich brewing heritage and tradition
  • World Class Beer
  • Made with premium and all-natural ingredients
  • Sweet fruity aromas and with delectable tastes of creamy Malt and freshly baked goodness
  • Crisp, dry, and refreshing finish
  • Well packaged
  • Reasonably priced
  • Easily accessible

Cons

  • Lowenbrau Lager that is available in the US is born of an American recipe and offers characteristics that are softer and weaker than Lowenbrau Premium lager that is produced in Munich, Germany

lager

What does Lowenbrau Lager taste like?

This outstanding Helles style Lager is medium-bodied and full-flavored. Upfront you get sweet fruity aromas of pure honey and fresh apple, combined with tastes of creamy Malt and freshly baked biscuits. Typical of Helles-style beer, the flavors are bold but the bitterness is mild.

The finish is dry, slightly bitter, thirst-quenching, and refreshing. Initially, it appears to be a complex beer but within no time you realize that it is quite a simple beer. Each simple ingredient is perfectly utilized and executed, and the result is beer perfection. It is no surprise that Lowenbrau is one of only six breweries welcome at the Oktoberfest, and widely considered to be the most popular choice amongst beer lovers and festival-goers. 

The Color

Lowenbrau Lager is an enticing rich golden amber color with a medium-sized white and frothy head. The lingering head is complimented by medium-high carbonation. Once poured into a glass, this beer looks really good.

The Ingredients

lager ingredients

Lowenbrau Lager is strictly brewed under the German Purity Law of 1516 (Reinheitsgebot) and every beer is made using only water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. Directly translated, Reinheitsgebot means “Purity Law”.

  • Hops: Lowenbrau Brewery uses Hallertau hops that are naturally grown in Bavaria, Germany. Hallertau hops have a low alpha acid content and offer subtle notes of spice and light bitterness, with earthy, fruity, and natural aromas. Low alpha acid hops like Hallertau, are generally utilized for the flavor and aromas and not particularly for their bittering properties. Hallertau forms part of the noble hops group, noble hops are regarded as the finest available and grow naturally in the wild as opposed to hops that have been commercially farmed.
  • Barley Malt: Lowenbrau Brewery uses a special combination of various barley and malts when brewing their beer. These vital ingredients are all-natural, locally grown, and sourced.
  • Yeast: Lowenbrau lager is brewed using a specific type of bottom-fermenting Lager yeast strain called Munich Helles Lager Yeast. This strain is commonly used for brewing traditional German and authentic Helles-style beer.   
  • Water: Lowenbrau Brewery uses water from their deepwater well, which is located within close proximity to the brewery. This natural water source produces pristine water with high levels of purity. Additionally, it contains high levels of minerals and natural goodness, which is required to brew a world-class beer.

The Brewing and Fermentation process

brewing beer

Lowenbrau Lager is brewed using a bottom-fermentation process. This fermentation allows bottom-fermenting yeast strains to operate at the bottom of the wort. Ale and Pale Ale-style beer is fermented on top of the wort, and this allows for bold fruity flavors and aromas that you don’t typically get from Pilsners and lagers.

All Lagers, Pilsners, and Helles style beers are brewed using the bottom-fermentation technique, the bottom-fermenting yeast strains operate less vigorously resulting in less carbon dioxide being created, and ultimately less carbonation in the beer once opened or poured into a glass.

The Packaging

Lowenbrau Lager is well-packaged and presented in brown 12oz and 20oz glass bottles and 440ml cans. The glass bottles are available in 6 and 12 pack options while the cans are available in 15 pack options. Each 6, 12, and 15 pack is conveniently packed in professional card box packs that are easy to carry, transport, and store.

Each Lowenbrau Lager bottle and can feature the iconic green, blue and gold Lowenbrau logo, Lowenbrau directly translates to “Lion’s Brew” which is proudly displayed by a lion against a blue backdrop on the logo.

Accessibility

There are no exports of Lowenbrau Lager from Munich, Germany into the United States, but the market is serviced by the Labatt Brewing Company who makes an Americanized version. Lowenbrau lager can be purchased from numerous reputable online companies that will deliver directly to your door.

If this is your preferred method of purchase, you can contact colonialspirits.com, Drizly, or Instacart. Major Distributors like US Liquor Supplies, Young’s Market Company, and Southern Wine and Spirits will ship Lowenbrau lager all over the United States and Canada. Additionally, Lowenbrau Lager can be purchased from Tesco and select liquor stores.

Lowenbrau Lager Nutritional Information

Lowenbrau Lager is brewed using all-natural ingredients and each 12oz serving offers the following nutritional benefits:

  • 145 x calories
  • 1g x protein
  • 0 x grams sugar
  • 1 x gram fat
  • 1x gram carbohydrates

Additional Lowenbrau Products

Lowenbrau are passionate about beer, this is evident in the quality and wide variety of beers that they produce. Below is a list of all the Lowenbrau products:

drinking beer

  • Lowenbrau Triumphator is a Doppelbock dark Lager with an impressive ABV of 7.5%. It is a fantastic beer with lovely aromas of caramel, toffee, and roasted malts, and lovely flavors of roasted nuts, roasted malt, and creamy caramel. Additional flavors of toffee and spice result in a world-class doppelbock, with a crisp, delicious, and satisfyingly smooth finish.
  • Lowenbrau Urtyp is a Dortmunder Lager that has been combined with a Helles Lager style beer that offers an ABV of 5.4%. Upfront you get delectable aromas of herbs, spice, and roasted malt, elegantly combined with tastes of rich malt, creamy toffee, and caramel. Additional flavors of floral hops, spice, and herbs are followed by a malty yet bitter and dry finish. There is so much going on in this beer, you may need two or three to wrap your head around the flavors and aromas. It is light amber with a solid and frothy white head.
  • Lowenbrau Radler Beer is a light and refreshing concoction of premium Helles Lager and natural lemonade. Not only is it the perfect drink for any occasion, but it is also a tribute beer, from the Lowenbrau Brewery to all German cyclists. Lowenbrau Radler is light in calories and is also low in ABV with just 2.5% per 12oz serving.
  • Lowenbrau Munchner Hell can be traced as far back as 1894, and still proves to be one of the most popular beers that Lowenbrau has to offer. Upfront you get lovely flavors of yeast, freshly-baked goodness, malt, and pure honey. The finish is crisp, dry, and full of hoppy bitterness. Lowenbrau Munchner Hell is lightly golden, medium-bodied, full-flavored, and offers an average ABV of 5.2% per 12oz serving.
  • Lowenbrau Munchner Dunkel is a premium dark Lager with a perfect balance between bitter and sweet. Upfront you get lovely aromas of creamy toffee and roasted malt, followed by elegant tastes of sultanas and rich caramel. The finish is crisp, dry, and refreshing with medium levels of hoppy bitterness. Lowenbrau Munchner Dunkel pours medium-brown with a small rapidly dissipating tan head. It has low to medium carbonation and offers an average ABV of 5.5%.
  • Lowenbrau Alkoholfrei is a 0.0% non-alcoholic version of the iconic Lowenbrau Original beer and allows you to enjoy the classic taste of Lowenbrau Lager without having to consume any alcohol. Lowenbrau Alkoholfrei is a Pale Lager that offers aromas of freshly baked goods, fresh herbs, and subtle citrusy hops. These aromas are followed by tastes of rich malt, lemon, and herbs. The finish is crisp, bitter, and refreshing.
  • Lowenbrau Premium Pils (formerly “der Lowenbrau”) is full-on flavor and full-on sharp hoppy bitterness and certainly lives up to its name as a Premium Pilsner. Upfront you get tastes of yeast and hops, followed by a long bitter, and satisfying finish. Lowenbrau Premium Pils is a great beer, with a soft white head, medium carbonation, and an ABV of 5.4%.
  • Lowenbrau Lowen Weisse is only one of two wheat beers in the Lowenbrau range and offers an ABV of 5.2%. Upfront you get lovely aromas of fruit, yeast, and wheat. These aromas are followed by tastes of banana, soft notes of malt, and wheat. The finish is sweet and dry with low levels of hoppy bitterness. This beer is medium-bodied with medium carbonation and is light golden with a solid medium white head. I was surprised the first time I tried the Lowenbrau Lowen Weisse. It is a satisfying and refreshing wheat beer, particularly when consumed ice-cold on a hot summers’ day.
  • Lowenbrau Dunkel Weisse is a specialty beer, and the second wheat beer in the Lowenbrau range. It is another fantastic creation from the head brewer and offers delectable flavors of nuts, caramel, wheat, and freshly baked biscuits. The finish is smooth, rich, well-balanced, and satisfying. This dark beer offers a luscious creamy head and medium carbonation. It goes well with good food and is the ideal way to finish off a meal. Lowenbrau Dunkel Weisse offers an ABV of 5.2%.
  • Lowenbrau Oktoberfestbier Is a fantastic beer that is full-bodied and full-flavored. Oktoberfestbier offers lovely aromas of fresh fruit, sweet caramel, and rich malt. Flavors of malt, fruit, and spice are followed by a crisp and refreshing finish that is long and lingering. This beer offers a generous ABV of 6.1% and keeps you wanting more. It is lightly golden, with low carbonation and a thin white head.

Lowenbrau Brewery Origins

Lowenbrau Brewery is alleged to have started brewing as far back as 1383, and by 1863 was responsible for a quarter of all beer produced in Munich. This made Lowenbrau the city’s largest brewery, and interest in Lowenbrau grew both locally and internationally.

Exports to North America ceased in 1975 when the Miller Brewing Company acquired the rights to the North American market. Miller began brewing an American version of Lowenbrau domestically to service the region.

Lowenbrau merged with Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau in 1997 to form the Spaten-Lowenbrau-Gruppe.

In 1999 the North American rights to the Lowenbrau brand were passed on to the Labatt Brewing Company; they continue to produce and distribute Lowenbrau to the North American market.

Lowenbrau Lager Alternatives

Below are five premium alternatives to Lowenbrau lager:

Hofbrau Dunkel

Hofbrau Dunkel is a dark Lager full of flavour and brewing tradition. It is an authentic Bavarian beer brewed in a Munich-style. Upfront you get delectable flavors of spice, caramel, toffee, and creamy malt, the finish is slightly bitter, dry, and refreshing. Hofbrau Dunkel is a great beer, made with premium ingredients and generations of brewing heritage.    

Hofbrau Dunkel

Wanderer

Wanderer Pale Ale is the company’s signature beer that is full of fruity flavors and offers an ABV of 4.1%.Proudly produced by the Wanderer Brewing Company in Bellingham, Washington US. Wanderer Pale Ale is brewed using only the finest ingredients from the United States and Britain.

It can be described as an elegant hybrid of traditional American Lager and authentic British Pale Ale. Upfront you get fresh fruity citrus aromas combined with lovely tastes of malt and honey. The finish is smooth, crisp, and dry with a trace of mild bitterness and earthy pine and fruity citrus aromas, common with Helles and Ale-style beer.

Mecklenburger

Mecklenburger is a Helles-style Lager that offers subtle fruity aromas with beautifully balanced flavors of creamy malt. The finish is dominated by mild hoppy bitterness and is smooth, crisp, and thirst-quenching. Mecklenburger is light golden blonde in color, offers medium carbonation and an ABV of 4.9%. It is a seasonal beer and is produced in the summer months. Mecklenburger is produced by the Old Mecklenburger brewery in Charlotte, United States.

Firestone Lager

Firestone Lager is proudly produced by the Firestone Walker Brewing Company in California, United States. From humble beginnings, Firestone Lager has quickly become a broad-market beer with a craft beer feel. Firestone lager offers flavors and aromas of yeast and malt, followed by gentle hoppy bitterness on the thirst-quenching finish.

Helles Creek Lager

Helles Creek Lager is a Helles-style beer produced by the Kros Strain Brewing Company in Helles Creek, La Vista, Nebraska, United States. Voted one of America’s Top 40 Beers by USA Today, it is an easy-drinking Lager with subtle flavors and aromas of malt upfront. The finish is refreshing, crisp, and dry with almost no bitterness. 

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Is Lowenbrau Lager a good beer?

Answer: Lowenbrau Lager is a fantastic German beer with a rich heritage and brewing tradition. Notorious for being exceptionally smooth, with fruity flavors and malty goodness. Indicative of a Helles-style beer, Lowenbrau Lager offers a mild bitterness on the crisp smooth finish. The Lowenbrau Brewery uses premium and local ingredients when producing its beloved brew.

Question: Is Lowenbrau beer fizzy?

Answer: Lowenbrau brew according to the German Purity Law of 1516 (Reinheitsgebot). This law stipulates that only water, malted barley, hops, and yeast can be used in the brewing process. These ingredients do cause fizziness, which is also known as carbonation. Carbonation is a natural process and is a result of the yeast breaking down the sugars and subsequently creating carbon dioxide. Lowenbrau beers offer medium to high carbonation, so yes they are fizzy. 

Question: Who owns Lowenbrau?

Answer: The Lowenbrau Brewery and brand are still owned by the Parent Organisation called Spaten-Lowenbrau-Gruppe. However, the right to the North American market was acquired by Miller Brewing in 1975. After servicing the market for decades, the rights were then handed over to the Labatt Brewing Company who continue to service the North American market.

Question: Is Lowenbrau a wheat beer?

Answer: Most Lowenbrau beers are produced using hops, water, malted barley, and yeast. They do however produce a wheat beer called Lowenbrau Oktoberfest Limited Edition Wheat beer. It offers an above-average ABV of 6.1 %

Lowenbrau Lager Review: Conclusion

Lowenbrau Premium Lager or Lowenbrau Original is an exceptional beer created from centuries of rich brewing heritage and tradition. First introduced in 1383, this recipe has evolved into one of the most loved and respected beers on the market.

Lowenbrau premium Lager is medium-bodied and full-flavored, with lovely aromas of sweet fruit, natural honey, and creamy malt. The delectable aromas are complemented by tastes of Malt and freshly baked biscuits. The finish is mildly bitter, dry, and thirst-quenching.

Lowenbrau Lager is expertly brewed, easily accessible, well priced, and well-packaged.

I seriously love this beer and can recommend it to anyone willing to listen. I enjoy the bold, sharp, and intense flavors that one gets from traditional Pilsners, and simultaneously I also enjoy the sweeter and smoother characteristics of Ales, Pale Ales, and American style Lagers.

But the Lowenbrau Premium Lager and most Helles-style beers offer the perfect balance between sweet and bitter. This is an “anytime” beer that can be enjoyed while watching sport, when you are out with friends at a lively bar, or even when you are just relaxing at home around a fire.

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