Hop Horizons
Beer Style Information
Vienna lager
There are 102 different Vienna lager listed on Hop Horizons, with a weighted average score of 48.3%.
What is Vienna Lager?
Vienna lager is a smooth, amber-coloured lager known for its elegant combination of toasted malt, gentle breadiness and restrained hop bitterness.
It sits between pale lager and the richer amber lagers associated with autumn. Typical flavours include toasted bread, light nuttiness and a subtle malt sweetness, followed by a clean, relatively dry finish.
Although malt-led, it shouldn't taste heavily caramelised, sugary or roasted. Its character comes primarily from high-quality Vienna malt and careful brewing rather than piles of dark speciality malt.
The result is balanced and highly drinkable: richer than a Pilsner, but lighter and drier than many Märzen or dunkel-style beers.
How It's Brewed
Vienna lager is traditionally brewed with Vienna malt - a lightly kilned barley malt that provides the characteristic amber colour and toasted, bread-like flavour.
Some brewers use Vienna malt for almost the entire grain bill, while others blend it with Pilsner or Munich malt. Small amounts of darker malt may fine-tune the colour, but strong caramel or roasted flavours don't belong here.
Traditional noble hops - Hallertau, Tettnang, Spalt or Saaz - provide clean bitterness and subtle floral, herbal or spicy notes. Hop aroma generally stays low, leaving the malt centre stage.
Fermentation uses a clean lager yeast at low temperatures, followed by extended cold conditioning. The lagering softens the beer, improves clarity and strips out unwanted fruity or buttery fermentation flavours.
Decoction mashing can deepen the malt character, though it's not essential. The finished beer should be clear, smooth and moderately carbonated.
Famous Examples
- Ottakringer Wiener Original (Austria) – A traditional Austrian example with toasted malt and balanced bitterness.
- Negra Modelo (Mexico) – A widely available amber lager inspired by the Vienna tradition, though slightly darker and sweeter than most classic examples.
- Great Lakes Eliot Ness (USA) – A fuller American interpretation with rich toasted malt and firm balancing bitterness.
- Schell's Firebrick (USA) – A smooth, approachable Vienna-style lager with bread and light caramel notes.
- Chuckanut Vienna Lager (USA) – A highly regarded modern example emphasising clean fermentation and elegant toasted malt.
How Vienna Lager Differs from Similar Styles
Vienna lager is often confused with Märzen, since both are amber lagers with smooth malt character. Märzen is generally stronger, fuller and richer, with more pronounced bread-crust and toasted flavours; Vienna lager is lighter, softer and a touch more drinkable, with a drier finish.
Munich dunkel is darker, with a heavier emphasis on deep bread crust, toast and Munich malt. Vienna lager is lighter in both colour and flavour, without dunkel's richer dark-bread qualities.
Czech amber lager can look and taste similar, but often carries more noticeable hop flavour, greater bitterness and a broader range of caramel or toasted notes. American amber lager, meanwhile, can be hoppier, sweeter or more caramel-led - Vienna lager should stay clean, restrained and centred on elegant base malt.
It's also distinct from amber ale, which uses top-fermenting yeast and may feature prominent caramel malt and American hops. Vienna lager has a cleaner fermentation profile and smoother malt flavour.
Food Pairings
Vienna lager is exceptionally versatile with food. The toasted malt complements roasted and caramelised flavours, while the clean finish means it never overwhelms lighter dishes.
Good vegetarian pairings include mushroom burgers, vegetable sausages, roasted peppers, lentil loaf and grilled halloumi. It's particularly good with pizza, pretzels, macaroni cheese, roasted potatoes and anything involving caramelised onions.
For cheese, try mature Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental or other nutty, semi-firm varieties. The moderate bitterness and clean fermentation also make it a fine match for gently spiced Mexican food - bean tacos, quesadillas and vegetable enchiladas.
Style Stats (Typical Ranges)
- ABV: 4.7% – 5.5%
- IBU (Bitterness): 18 – 30
- Colour (SRM): 9 – 15 (reddish amber to copper)
- Carbonation: Moderate
- Body: Medium-light to medium
- Appearance: Clear, with a persistent off-white head
FAQs About Vienna Lager
Where did Vienna lager originate?
The style was developed in Vienna by Austrian brewer Anton Dreher in 1841. It spread across Europe before finding particular success in Mexico and the United States.
What does Vienna lager taste like?
Toasted bread, light nuts and smooth malt, backed by restrained herbal or floral hops. The finish should be clean and relatively dry.
Is Vienna lager sweet?
There can be a gentle malt sweetness, but it shouldn't taste sugary or heavily caramelised. Bitterness and a dry finish keep it balanced.
Is Vienna lager dark beer?
It's an amber lager rather than a truly dark beer - normally somewhere between reddish amber and copper.
Is Vienna lager the same as Märzen?
No, though they're closely related. Märzen is generally stronger, richer and more deeply toasted; Vienna lager is lighter and more restrained.
Is Negra Modelo a Vienna lager?
It's commonly regarded as a Mexican interpretation of the style. It's somewhat darker and sweeter than the classic description, but reflects the style's historical influence on Mexican brewing.
Is Vienna lager bitter?
Moderately - enough to balance the malt but never enough to dominate. Hop aroma and flavour normally stay low.
Does Vienna lager contain caramel malt?
Some modern versions use small amounts, but prominent caramel isn't ideal. Traditional Vienna lager gets most of its colour and toasted character from the Vienna malt itself.
Is Vienna lager a good session beer?
Yes. The moderate strength, clean fermentation and balanced flavour make it well suited to drinking by the pint.
What temperature should Vienna lager be served at?
Around 5–8°C works well. Slightly warmer than an ordinary pale lager lets the toasted malt come through more clearly.
Beers of This Style
Click or tap on the brewery, ABV or score headers to sort by that column.
| Beer | Brewery | ABV | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robertus | Sint Christoffel | 6.0% | 68.65% |
| Running with Sceptres | Lost and Grounded | 5.2% | 68.30% |
| Rotbier | Ratsherrn | 5.2% | 67.18% |
| Westfalia | Fort Point Beer Company | 5.6% | 67.17% |
| Vienna Lager | Mlinarica | 4.7% | 65.91% |
| Eliot Ness | Great Lakes | 6.2% | 65.19% |
| Munich Red | West Brewing Company | 4.9% | 64.72% |
| Zolotaya Bochka Vyderzhannoe (Seasoned) (6.5% version) | Kaluzhskaya | 6.5% | 64.50% |
| Miękkie Lądowanie | Browar Nook | 4.5% | 64.19% |
| Tumšais Alus | Lāčplēsis | 5.8% | 63.75% |
| Pils | Gröninger | 5.1% | 63.65% |
| Martina Tumšais Alus | Latgales Alus | 7.0% | 63.18% |
| PRL Piwo Pełne | Staropolski | 5.8% | 63.13% |
| Međimursko Premium Svijetlo Lager | Lepi Dečki | 4.8% | 61.97% |
| Tai Boh Amber Lager | Purtse | 6.5% | 61.49% |
| Union | Meantime | 4.9% | 61.11% |
| Danish Style Red Lager | Figueroa Mountain | 5.5% | 60.43% |
| VIPL | Salt Beer Factory | 6.3% | 60.28% |
| Red Stallion | Crescent City Brewhouse | 5.8% | 59.95% |
| Too Soo Brew | Hong Kong Brewing Company | 4.5% | 59.92% |
| Münchner / Munich (5.5% draught version) | Ticketybrew | 5.5% | 59.37% |
| Zolotaya Bochka Vyderzhannoe (Seasoned) (6.8% version) | Kaluzhskaya | 6.8% | 58.59% |
| Hausbier | Schäffler Bräu | 5.4% | 58.48% |
| Vienna Lager (Autumn 2016) | Cloudwater | 6.0% | 58.46% |
| Khamovniki Kegovoye | Moskovskaya Pivovarennaya Kompaniya | 5.5% | 58.37% |
| Anno 1050 | Weltenburger | 5.5% | 57.98% |
| Island Lager | Lion Co. | 4.7% | 57.61% |
| Staropolskie Chmielne | Staropolski | 5.5% | 57.50% |
| Australian Strong Lager | Byron Bay Brewery | 5.5% | 57.25% |
| Dynamo Copper Lager | Metropolitan Brewing | 5.6% | 57.23% |
| Akosombo | Strubbe | 5.5% | 56.70% |
| La Sans-Gêne | Sancerroise | 6.2% | 56.26% |
| VIPL 2.0 | Salt Beer Factory | 5.3% | 56.20% |
| Beerito | Oskar Blues | 4.0% | 55.14% |
| Hejtman 12° Polotmavý Lezák | Hlinsko | 5.0% | 55.12% |
| Cusqueña Roja | Backus y Johnston | 5.0% | 54.21% |
| Kill Your Darlings | Thornbridge | 5.0% | 54.21% |
| Master's Brew | 7° Brauhaus | 5.3% | 52.19% |
| Viennese Style Amber Lager (for Sainsbury's) | Meantime | 5.0% | 51.81% |
| Ash Brook Red Lager (for Marks & Spencer) | Freedom (formerly Brothers) | 4.7% | 51.42% |
| Diekirch Christmas (Bière de Noël) | Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch | 5.1% | 51.37% |
| Super Bock Abadia | União Cervejeira (Unicer) | 6.4% | 51.32% |
| Premium Rubin | Ochakovo | 4.1% | 50.98% |
| Beware of Pity | Black Lodge | 5.0% | 50.87% |
| The World, Just As It Is | Cloudwater | 5.0% | 50.39% |
| Vienna Nights | Glen Affric | 4.9% | 50.05% |
| Rooftop Red Lager | Matilda Bay | 4.5% | 49.39% |
| Khamovniki Venskoye | Moskovskaya Pivovarennaya Kompaniya | 4.5% | 48.62% |
| Special Amber | Sprecher | 5.0% | 48.57% |
| Stile Vienna | Antoniana | 5.4% | 48.55% |
| Rosengasse-Bier Dinkel | Rosengarten | 4.5% | 48.50% |
| Dzintara | Lāčplēsis | 4.8% | 47.94% |
| Toasted Lager | Blue Point | 5.4% | 47.60% |
| Venskoye - Kollecktsiya Pivovara | Baltika | 4.6% | 47.49% |
| Cantata | Colbier | 4.6% | 47.48% |
| Moravia Amber Beer | Golden Mug | 4.8% | 47.28% |
| New Hat Day | Farmyard Ales | 4.9% | 47.22% |
| Vienna Pale | Pilot | 4.6% | 46.99% |
| Bernstein Perle | Scheuerer | 5.4% | 46.98% |
| Talking Straight | Deya | 5.0% | 46.93% |
| Emelya Yachtarnoye | Lakinskiy | 5.6% | 46.73% |
| Vienna Mûre | T3G Brewing | 6.8% | 46.24% |
| Samuel Adams Boston Lager | Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) | 4.8% | 46.18% |
| Vienna | Arbor | 4.5% | 46.11% |
| Książęce Czerwony Lager | Kompanie Piwowarska | 4.9% | 46.08% |
| Cerveza Artesanal | Baldus | 5.0% | 46.00% |
| Oldgott Barique Ležak 13° | U Medvídku | 5.2% | 45.63% |
| Out of Season Romance | Polly's Brew Co. (formerly Loka Polly) | 5.1% | 45.57% |
| Negra Modelo | Modelo | 6.0% | 45.45% |
| Dos Equis Amber | Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma | 4.7% | 45.38% |
| Pistonhead Full Amber | Spendrups | 6.0% | 45.22% |
| Red | Leinenkugel | 4.9% | 43.80% |
| Dark | Hops 'n Brew | 5.5% | 43.35% |
| A Long Walk with a Dear Friend Mountain Lager | Cloudwater | 6.0% | 42.40% |
| Bernstein | Grönwohlder | 5.0% | 41.03% |
| Dark Beer | Downtown Beer Café | 5.5% | 40.55% |
| Baadog | Ulan Bator | 4.8% | 38.98% |
| Diekirch Grand Cru Ambrée | Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch | 5.1% | 38.70% |
| Amber | Abita | 4.5% | 38.02% |
| Arsenalnoye Taopin | Baltika | 5.4% | 37.20% |
| Zhigulyoskoye Svetloye Pivo | Khmelyoff | 4.0% | 36.85% |
| Robert Doms Videnskiy | Lvivska Pivovarnya | 4.7% | 36.40% |
| Münchner / Munich (4.5% bottled version) | Ticketybrew | 4.5% | 36.28% |
| Hive Colour | Polly's Brew Co. (formerly Loka Polly) | 5.1% | 35.64% |
| Kopper (Est. 33) | Boon Rawd | 4.5% | 34.54% |
| Victoria | Modelo | 4.0% | 34.07% |
| Zwei Meister Venskoye Pivo | Kaluzhskaya | 4.4% | 34.07% |
| Metamorphosed (w/ Fuerst Wiacek and Pilot) | Carnival | 4.5% | 33.18% |
| Wolpertinger | Joule's | 5.0% | 32.84% |
| Carls Special | Carlsberg | 4.4% | 32.50% |
| Vienna Session Lager | Gyle 59 | 4.2% | 29.54% |
| Renegade Vienna Lager | West Berkshire Brewery | 4.8% | 29.47% |
| Tivoli Vienna Note Pils | Royal Unibrew | 5.0% | 29.20% |
| Waikato Draught | Lion Beer | 4.0% | 27.93% |
| Rustic Lager | BrewDog OverWorks | 4.5% | 27.02% |
| Vienas Golden Lager | Ragutis | 5.0% | 26.74% |
| Påskebryg | Tuborg | 5.4% | 26.50% |
| Red Vienna | The Mobberley Brewhouse | 4.2% | 25.67% |
| Holle (for Beer52) | Büro Brauerei | 3.4% | 23.26% |
| Rotbier | Schanzenbräu | 4.9% | on deck |
| Tostada | El Bravero | 5.7% | on deck |
| Winter Gold | Jacob | 5.3% | on deck |