DRINKING RED: Leinenkugel’s Red Lager is Back
not seen in its own pack since 2016, Red Lager is revamped and better than ever
Leinenkugel’s teased news it would be bringing back an old favorite from its retired brews in mid-September, and just days later, it announced what that brew is: Red Lager.
The last time folks were able to indulge in Red Lager in its own pack was in 2016, though it has made appearances in seasonal variety packs since then, Leinenkugel’s President Tony Bugher said.
Not only is Leinenkugel’s re-releasing its Red Lager, the first-ever nationally commercialized recipe from the Chippewa Falls Pilot Brewery, but it has also been “remastered,” improving on the old favorite by using locally sourced Wisconsin hops.
“We were fortunate to come across some locally grown fresh hops, and our head brewmaster had always wanted to dry hop with Red (Lager). It was perfect timing.”
TONY BUGHER
LEINENKUGEL'S PRESIDENT
“Having this pilot system allows us the opportunity to tweak any of our old recipes,” Bugher explained. “We were fortunate to come across some locally grown fresh hops, and our head brewmaster had always wanted to dry hop with Red (Lager). It was perfect timing.”
Red Lager is a seasonal Vienna-style lager with an ABV of 4.9% and an IBU, or bitterness, of 20 (comparatively, the popular Summer Shandy has an IBU of 11). As described on Leinenkugel’s website, the old favorite has a “smooth caramel flavor and bright hop finish.” Bugher said the company is proud of Red Lager’s smooth flavor and malt character, and now, that cherry-on-top bright hop finish.
As Leinenkugel’s has demonstrated time and time again over the years, retired favorites are brought back to life when public demand is demonstrated. “We always look to our drinkers to tell us what they want to see from Leinie’s, and this time is no different,” Bugher said.
“Of course, we’ve had some fans and drinkers requesting we bring (Red Lager) back. When we installed our pilot system at the Chippewa Falls brewery last year, we knew it would give us the capacity to bring back some fan favorites,” Bugher continued. “And given all the love for Leinie’s Red, it just feels like the right time to bring it back!”
Get your hands on the revitalized favorite locally, at the Fall Beer Release Party at Leinie Lodge on Friday, Oct. 6. The seasonal beer will be available October-December.
Learn more about Red Lager on Leinenkugel’s website.
