4th of July – Lagers, Pilsners, and Kolsches
Happy 4th of July America
Happy 4th of July America, and everybody. Its time to blow some stuff up! ‘Merica! *Insert Screaming Eagle Sound* Its fourth of July 2021 and its time to celebrate better, its been an interesting year, and an even more interesting two years, here at The Beer Thrillers, in America, and across the globe. So if there’s a time to celebrate with dads in New Balances and jean shorts, with tall white socks, and grass stained shoes, barbecuing, with some nice ‘dad beers’, this is it.
So looking around the Hummelstown, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Middletown area, let’s see what are some of the best “dad beers” around. For that, I’m talking lagers, pilsners, kolsches. Think Bud Lite, Coors Lite, Miller Lite…. but a thousand times better. A helluva better. Craft beers, good craft beers, well, created craft beers, rather than that ‘water’ (to use the most generous term that I could).
So, let’s break it down by category, and see what all we got in the area!
Lagers
These are your ‘lite beers’, nice easy drinking beers, light, crisp, and tasty.
But interestingly enough, starting off our list we start at Rubber Soul Brewery in Hummelstown, with a Dark Lager.
Beer: Distorted Soul
Brewery: Rubber Soul Brewing Company
Style: Lager – Dark
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: Brewed with roasted barley and chocolate malt. Roasty, crisp and refreshing.
Untappd Rating: 3.94 (as of 7.4.21)
Next up we travel into Harrisburg for the Hellsbender Defender by ZeroDay Brewing Company. They’ve recently reopened their new taproom, and they have a larger expanded taproom listing now.
Beer: Hellsbender Defender
Brewery: ZeroDay Brewing Company
Style: Lager – Helles
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 15
Untappd Description: This golden lager is brewed to the traditional German style. It is pale in color while being a little fuller in body than other light lagers. The use of German noble hops gives a slight bitter flavor, which is rounded out by a touch of malty sweetness. This balanced lager is a favorite beer among our brewers who get really excited to share it with you each Spring.
Untappd Rating: 3.73
Moving on to Hershey, right next to the famous Hershey Park Amusement Park; which sadly is not doing their annual fireworks show this year (second year in a row) (either due to COVID-19 still, or due to cost cutting measures, or who knows what); is Troegs Independent Brewing Company. One of the largest breweries in the state, and one of their flagship beers happens to be one of the best lagers you can find.
Beer: When in Doubt
Brewery: Troegs Independent Craft Brewery
Style: Lager – Helles
ABV: 4.3%
IBU: 21
Untappd Description: When in Doubt is all harmony. It begins with a single note, a clean and delicate pilsner malt reminiscent of freshly baked bread. Tradition hops add hints of wildflower and subtle bitterness, and our crisp lager yeast pulls it all together. In the end, this refreshing Munich-style Helles is greater than the sum of its parts and – when in doubt – always a good call.
Untappd Rating: 3.57
Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be as many lagers in the area, but there is definitely a lot of pilsners. So lets jump right into another dad favorite!
Pilsners
First up on our tour of pilsners, is starting again right in Hummelstown at Rubber Soul Brewery.
Beer: Soul Patch
Brewery: Rubber Soul Brewing Company
Style: Pilsner – Czech
ABV: 4.6%
IBU: 31
Untappd Description: Czech style Pilsner that is clean, crisp and refreshing. Earthy with a little spice with the Saaz hops. Imagine that perfect day and the bead of sweat across your brow. You need something to cool off with…something light but has that body! Get your razors out boys. It’s time for a Soul Patch.
Untappd Rating: 3.69
Staying in Hummelstown, we are moving over to Howling Henry’s on 2nd Street. Despite the name being LOLAGER, its a pilsner (German).
Beer: Lolager
Brewery: Howling Henry’s Brewing
Style: Pilsner – German
ABV: 4.5%
IBU: 15
Untappd Description: This session pilsner is light in body, flavorful, very refreshing, and clean finishing. If you need an easy drinking beer H2B has it with this offering. Easy, and fun session beer that will not weigh you down.
Untappd Rating: 3.37
Swinging into nearby Middletown, we have Basic Dad Pilsner by Tattered Flag.
Beer: Basic Dad Pilsner
Brewery: Tattered Flag
Style: Pilsner – Other
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: No IBU
Untappd Description: PA Preferred, gluten reduced Pilsner made with local Double Eagle pennyback pils, hoppped with ahtahnum. Light and biscuity with a crisp finish.
Untappd Rating: 3.47%
Heading to the outskirts of Harrisburg – Rutherford to be exact – we come across Boneshire Brew Works which has Stickhead Pills.
Beer: Stick Head Pils
Brewery: Boneshire Brew Works
Style: Pilsner – German
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: None
Untappd Description: A Crushable Pilsner. Drink it up!
Untappd Rating: 3.83
