Brooklyn Lager was one of the first beers Brooklyn Brewery released after its 1988 founding, and it remains the brewery’s flagship today. Brewmaster Garrett Oliver based the recipe on the amber lagers brewed across Brooklyn before Prohibition shut most of the borough’s breweries down.
At a Glance
| Style | Vienna-Style Lager |
| ABV | 5.2% |
| IBU | 33 |
| Origin | Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, New York (launched 1988) |
| Hops | Cascade, Vanguard, Cluster |
| Typical price | Around $10 to $13 for a six-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Brooklyn Lager pours a deep copper-amber with a persistent white head. Dry-hopping (uncommon for a lager) gives it a floral, slightly resinous aroma layered over a firm malt backbone.
The full review
On the palate, Brooklyn Lager sits firmly between a crisp pilsner and a fuller amber ale, more body and hop character than a mainstream American lager, but still clean and sessionable at 5.2% ABV. The dry-hopping is unusual for the style and gives it a slightly more assertive finish than most Vienna lagers; if you want the wider lager field for comparison, see our best lager beers guide.
Garrett Oliver has been one of the most influential brewers in the American craft beer movement, and Brooklyn Lager helped establish the idea that a lager could be both approachable and genuinely flavorful, not just a category ceded to the macro brewers.
It has become closely associated with New York City itself, showing up on tap lists across the five boroughs and serving as an easy recommendation for drinkers who want something more characterful than a standard adjunct lager without stepping into IPA territory.
“Brooklyn Lager is dry-hopped, a technique rarely used in lager brewing, giving it a fresh hop aroma that is unique for the style.”, Brooklyn Brewery
- Distinctive dry-hopped aroma for a lager
- Well-balanced between malt and hops
- Sessionable at 5.2% ABV
- Widely available on tap and in bottles/cans
- Less crisp than a classic pilsner if that is what you want
- Hop character may be unexpected for lager purists
- Not as widely distributed outside the Northeast US
Who it is for
Drinkers who want more character than a mainstream lager without going full IPA. It is a reliable pick with pizza, burgers or deli sandwiches, see our best beers to pair with pizza guide for more matches.
How to serve Brooklyn Lager
Serve at 45-50°F in a standard pint or pilsner glass to let the dry-hop aroma come through without overchilling the malt character.
FAQs
What style of beer is Brooklyn Lager?
It is a Vienna-style lager, modeled after the amber lagers brewed across Brooklyn before Prohibition.
How strong is Brooklyn Lager?
It is 5.2% ABV, a sessionable strength typical of the style.
Why is Brooklyn Lager dry-hopped?
Brooklyn Brewery dry-hops the beer to add a fresh hop aroma, a technique uncommon in lager brewing and one of the things that sets it apart from typical amber lagers.
