About This Beer
Wide Street Neubau Vienna Lager 44cl 4.6% is an Irish interpretation of one of continental Europe's classic amber lager styles, brewed by Wide Street Brewing Company in Ballymahon, County Longford.
Vienna Lager occupies an interesting space between the light refreshment of pale lager and the richer malt character found in darker beers. Traditionally amber to copper in colour, the style puts toasted malt flavours at the centre while maintaining the clean fermentation, balance and drinkability expected from lager.
Neubau follows that malt-forward approach. At 4.6% ABV, it offers plenty of flavour without becoming heavy, making it a particularly appealing beer for anyone who enjoys traditional European lager styles or wants something richer than a conventional Pilsner.
Expect toasted bread and biscuit character, gentle caramel sweetness and subtle nuttiness, complemented by restrained bitterness and delicate floral and spicy hop notes. The result is balanced rather than intensely sweet or bitter, allowing the malt to remain the star of the beer.
For more traditional and modern lager styles, browse our Lager, Pilsner & Helles collection.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Amber to copper in colour with an off-white head.
- Aroma: Toasted malt and biscuit lead, accompanied by light caramel and delicate floral and spicy hop notes.
- Flavour: Malt-forward with toasted bread, biscuit and gentle caramel sweetness, balanced by restrained hop bitterness.
- Mouthfeel: Smooth and medium-bodied while remaining clean and refreshing.
- Finish: Crisp and balanced, with lingering toasted malt and a subtle hop character.
Neubau's appeal lies in that balance. It has noticeably more malt flavour than a standard pale lager but retains the drinkability that makes lager such a versatile style.
What Is a Vienna Lager?
Vienna Lager is a traditional amber lager style with origins in 19th-century Austria. Its distinctive character comes from the use of malt that provides more toasted depth and colour than the very pale malts commonly associated with Pilsner.
That gives the style its characteristic amber appearance and flavours reminiscent of toasted bread, biscuit and light caramel.
Despite that richer malt profile, Vienna Lager should still be balanced and refreshing. It is not intended to have the heavy sweetness of a strong dark beer. Clean lager fermentation and measured hop bitterness keep the malt in check and provide a crisp finish.
This makes the style particularly useful for drinkers interested in exploring beyond familiar pale lager without immediately moving towards intensely hopped IPA or heavier stout.
Neubau brings that classic lager tradition into the modern Irish craft beer scene at an approachable 4.6% ABV.
A Malt-Forward Craft Lager
While contemporary craft beer is often associated with heavily hopped Pale Ales and IPAs, lager offers brewers a very different way to showcase ingredients and technique.
With Neubau, the focus is firmly on malt.
The toasted, biscuity and gently caramelised characteristics give the beer depth while remaining subtle enough for repeat drinking. Restrained hop bitterness prevents the malt sweetness from dominating, while light floral and spicy notes complement rather than compete with it.
The result is a beer that can appeal both to established craft beer drinkers and to lager drinkers interested in trying something a little different.
Its moderate 4.6% ABV also makes Neubau considerably more sessionable than many stronger craft beer styles.
Food Pairings
Vienna Lager is particularly versatile with food because its toasted malt flavours complement browned, roasted and grilled dishes without introducing excessive bitterness.
Try Neubau with grilled sausages or roast pork, where the malt character works naturally alongside caramelised meat flavours. Burgers are another excellent match, particularly with mature cheese and grilled onions.
Pizza works equally well, with the beer's clean finish helping refresh the palate between bites.
For something closer to the style's Central European heritage, pair it with schnitzel, sausages, roast chicken or pretzels with mustard.
Cheese lovers can try Neubau with Gouda, Gruyère or other nutty semi-hard cheeses. The beer's toasted and lightly caramelised malt profile complements these flavours particularly well.
About Wide Street Brewing Company
Wide Street Brewing Company is an independent Irish craft brewery based in Ballymahon, County Longford.
The brewery began producing beer in 2019 and has developed a particularly distinctive identity within Irish craft beer. Wide Street has a strong interest in alternative fermentation methods, including mixed fermentation and Brettanomyces, alongside more familiar beer styles.
Its brewing philosophy places an emphasis on traditional processes and quality ingredients. Wide Street uses open-top fermenters, and its beers are unfiltered and unpasteurised.
That willingness to explore different brewing traditions has resulted in a varied range encompassing everything from saisons and mixed-fermentation beers to more familiar styles such as lager and Altbier.
Neubau demonstrates another side of that approach. Rather than relying on unusual fermentation or extreme flavours, the beer looks towards a traditional European lager style and the careful balance between malt, hops and fermentation that defines it.
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Who Is Wide Street Neubau For?
Neubau is an excellent option for lager drinkers who want more malt flavour without sacrificing refreshment.
If you enjoy Pilsner or Helles but would like to explore something toastier and richer, Vienna Lager provides a natural next step. Equally, drinkers who enjoy Red Ale or other malt-led beer styles may appreciate its combination of caramelised malt character and clean lager finish.
At 4.6% ABV, it remains approachable enough for a relaxed pint while offering considerably more character than a conventional pale lager.
Serve Neubau chilled, ideally in a clean lager glass, and allow it to warm slightly as you drink. The malt aromas and flavours should become more noticeable as it moves away from refrigerator temperature.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Neubau's combination of toasted malt and refreshing lager character, explore our Lager, Pilsner & Helles range for more Irish and international lagers.
You can also browse our complete Craft Beer & Craft Cider collection or discover more Irish craft beer from independent breweries around Ireland.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15.