BeerGuessrPlay →Beer style
Vienna & amber lager
Also called Vienna lager, Wiener Lager, Amber lager, Mexican amber lager
Vienna lager is a reddish-amber lager of 4.7 to 5.5% ABV, created by Anton Dreher near Vienna in 1841, with toasty malt from Vienna malt and a dry, balanced finish. Amber lagers such as Negra Modelo and Samuel Adams Boston Lager follow the same pattern.
| Origin | Schwechat, near Vienna, Austria, 1841 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (ABV) | 4.5–6% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 18–30 |
| Color | Light reddish amber to copper |
| Glass | Willibecher, mug or pint glass |
| Serving temperature | 7–10 °C |
| Classic examples | Negra Modelo, Dos Equis Ambar, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Brooklyn Lager, Ottakringer Wiener Original, Yuengling Traditional Lager |
History
Anton Dreher, who had studied brewing in Britain with Gabriel Sedlmayr of Spaten, brewed the first Vienna lager at his family brewery in Schwechat in 1841. He used a lightly kilned amber malt that came to be called Vienna malt. The style was widely exported but faded in Austria after the First World War. It survived in Mexico, where Austrian and German immigrant brewers such as Santiago Graf introduced it in the late 19th century; Dos Equis Amber and Negra Modelo descend from that line. American craft brewers revived it from the 1980s, notably with Samuel Adams Boston Lager in 1984.
Appearance, aroma and taste
Vienna lager pours light reddish amber to copper, clear, with an off-white head. The aroma is moderately malty, with light toast and bread crust from Vienna malt and a low floral or spicy hop note. On the palate it is malty but finishes fairly dry, with bitterness of 18 to 30 IBU keeping it balanced. Body is medium-light to medium, carbonation moderate. Mexican versions are often softer and slightly sweeter, sometimes with corn in the grist, while American amber lagers may show more hop character.
How it is brewed
Vienna malt makes up most or all of the grist, often with some pilsner malt for lightness and a small amount of Munich or caramel malt for color. A decoction or step mash builds malt depth without much sweetness. German or Czech noble hops supply bitterness and a little aroma. The beer is fermented with clean lager yeast at 8 to 12 °C, then lagered cold for several weeks. Mexican brewers commonly add corn or other adjuncts and filter for a very clear, lighter-bodied beer.
Food pairing
The toasty malt of Vienna lager matches caramelized and grilled flavors. It pairs with carne asada, mole, enchiladas and tacos al pastor, which is why the style remains popular in Mexico. It also suits roast pork, bratwurst, burgers, pizza and barbecue chicken. The balanced bitterness keeps it refreshing with spicy food, and its body stands up to nutty cheeses such as Gruyère and aged Gouda.
Vienna & amber lager beers on the map (10)
BeerGuessr lists 10 brands whose flagship is a vienna & amber lager, from 4 countries. Most come from the United States (5). Their strength ranges from 4% to 5.4% ABV.
- AbitaAbita Brewing · Abita Springs, United States
- Anchor SteamAnchor Brewing · San Francisco, United States4.8%
- Brooklyn LagerBrooklyn Brewery · New York City, United States5.2%
- CoedoCoedo · Kawagoe, Japan
- IndioCervecería Cuauhtémoc · Monterrey, Mexico
- Negra ModeloGrupo Modelo · Mexico City, Mexico5.4%
- PatagoniaCervecería Patagonia · San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
- Samuel AdamsBoston Beer Company · Boston, United States5%
- VictoriaCervecería Toluca y México · Toluca, Mexico4%
- YuenglingD.G. Yuengling & Son · Pottsville, United States4.5%
Vienna & amber lager: questions and answers
What is the difference between a Vienna lager and a Märzen?
Both are amber German-speaking lagers developed around 1841. Märzen is stronger (5.6 to 6.3% ABV) and richer, built on Munich malt. Vienna lager is lighter (4.7 to 5.5% ABV), drier and built on Vienna malt with a more toasty, less bready character.
Is Negra Modelo a Vienna lager?
Yes, Negra Modelo is generally described as a Mexican dark Vienna-style lager. It was introduced by Grupo Modelo in Mexico City in 1925, and reflects the Vienna lager tradition brought to Mexico by Austrian and German brewers in the late 1800s.
Is Samuel Adams Boston Lager a Vienna lager?
Samuel Adams Boston Lager, launched by Jim Koch in 1984, is commonly classed as a Vienna or amber lager. It has a similar amber color and toasty malt, but more noble hop aroma from dry-hopping with Hallertau Mittelfrüh.
Related styles: amber and dark lagers
All beer styles →Sources: styles.bjcp.org, styles.bjcp.org, en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.