World Cup and Beer – Breweries Bring People Together

June 11 marks the kickoff of the World Cup, one of the most globally unifying sporting events on the planet. Every four years, time zones blur, sleep schedules get wrecked, and entire nations rally behind ninety minutes of hope and heartbreak. But for craft beer fans—especially here in Pennsylvania—it’s also a perfect excuse to turn matches into full-on tasting events.

The World Cup isn’t just about soccer. It’s about culture. And few things represent culture more tangibly than beer.

A Global Tournament, A Global Tap List

One of the most fun ways to celebrate the World Cup is by drinking along with the teams. Each match becomes an opportunity to explore a country’s brewing traditions—or at least a craft interpretation of them.

• Watching Germany? Reach for a crisp helles lager or a hefeweizen from a local brewery putting their spin on Bavarian classics.

• Rooting for Belgium? Time to crack open a dubbel, tripel, or a Belgian-style golden ale—bonus points if it’s deceptively strong.

• England match on? A malt-forward ESB or a smooth pub ale fits the bill.

• Supporting Mexico? A light lager works, but craft versions with lime or salt twists elevate the experience.

Pennsylvania breweries have leaned heavily into global styles over the years, so there’s a good chance you can build a “World Cup flight” without leaving the state.

Pennsylvania Breweries Join the Party

Local breweries are no strangers to big-event energy, and the World Cup provides a built-in theme for taproom engagement. Expect to see:

• Early opening hours for morning matches

• International-themed tap takeovers or rotating drafts

• Soccer watch parties with projector screens and packed patios

• Limited releases tied to participating countries or teams

Some breweries even organize bracket-style competitions—not just for the games, but for beers. Think “IPA vs. Lager” showdowns running parallel to knockout rounds.

For beer bloggers and content creators, this is prime time. A simple “match + beer pairing” series can drive engagement, especially if you’re highlighting local breweries alongside international styles.

Beer Pairings by Match Intensity

Not all games are created equal, and your beer choice can match the energy:

• Early Group Stage Matches: Easy-drinking lagers, kölsches, or session IPAs. You’re pacing yourself.

• Rivalry Games: Go bold—double IPAs, imperial stouts, or barrel-aged offerings.

• Knockout Rounds: Something special. A rare bottle, a vertical tasting, or a brewery-exclusive release.

• The Final: Champagne of beers? Maybe. But a well-crafted saison or a celebratory wild ale feels more on brand.

The Social Side of Soccer and Beer

At its core, both soccer and craft beer thrive on community. Whether you’re packed into a brewery in Harrisburg, watching from a quiet taproom near Jersey Shore, or hosting friends at home, the shared experience is what makes it memorable.

There’s something uniquely satisfying about hearing a room erupt after a goal while holding a pint that was brewed just miles away. It grounds a global event in something local and tangible.

Final Whistle Thoughts

The World Cup only comes around every four years, but the creativity of craft beer is constant. Bringing the two together turns every match into more than just a game—it becomes an experience.

So as the tournament kicks off on June 11, consider planning your own beer lineup alongside the match schedule. Explore new styles, support local breweries, and maybe even discover a new favorite along the way.

Because in the end, whether your team lifts the trophy or crashes out early, at least your beer game can still be world class.

All of Our Nerd Content

Here’s all of our nerd content, served up best in one single place. Enjoy!

I know ya’ll here for the nerd reviews. So check out our other nerd reviews below:

Star Wars:

• Beer Review: The Pandalorian (Tattered Flag)
• Beer Review: Wookie Monster (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Blue Milk (RAR Brewing) (Batch 1)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Tatooine Tart (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: RAWRGWAWGGR (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Droid Juice (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Wookies and Cream (Tall Tales Brewing)
• Revenge of the Fifth / Cinco de Mayo
• May the Fourth Be With You
• Beer Review: This is Nut the Fluff You’re Looking For (Fourscore Beer Co)
• Beer Review: This is the Way (Broken Goblet Brewing)
• Beer Review: This is the Whey (Bolero Snort Brewery)
• Beer Review: Java the Stout (Jackie O’s Brewery)
• Beer Review: The Mangolorian (Brewery Fire)
• Beer Review: BoBull Fett (Bolero Snort Brewery)
• Mead Review: The Meadalorian (Space Time Mead and Cider Works)
• Beer Review: Let the Haze Flow Through You (Black Flag Brewing Co)
• Book Review: The Jedi Path and The Book of the Sith (Daniel Wallace)
• Book Review: Guardians of the Whills (Greg Rucka)
• May the Fourth Be With You (2022)
• RAR Out of Order Star Wars Drop!
• Beer Review: Vader (Mispillion River Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Out of Order: Green Milk (RAR Brewing Company) (Batch 1)
• Beer Review: The Phantasm Menace (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• RAR Brewing – Out of Order – Star Wars Can Drop (2023)
• May the Fourth Be With You (2023)
• Brewery Fire Celebrates Their Fourth Anniversary: The Power of the Fourth
• Crooked Crab – May the Fourth Be With You (2024)
• Book Review: Star Wars – Most Wanted (Rae Carlson)
• Beer Review: Admiral (J Henry Barrel Aged Grand Stout) (Delta Beer Lab)
• Beer Review: Chewbacca (Rotunda Brewing Company)
• May the Fourth Be With You – From a Non a Star Wars Lover at RAR Brewing’s Star Wars Fest (Amy’s Column)

Futurama

• Good News Everyone, Futurama is Back: Exploring Futurama – Inspired Craft Beers
• Book Review: Futurama and Philosophy (edited by Courtland Lewis)
• Futurama Episode Review – The Impossible Stream and Mead Review: Omicron Persei 8 (SpaceTime Meadery)
• Mead Review: Omicron Persei 8 (Space Time Mead and Cider Works)
• Futurama Episode Review – Children of a Lesser Bog and Beer Review: Stay on Target (Allusion Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: I Apologize For Nothing (Fourscore Beer Co.)
• Beer Review: Fing-Longer (Turning Point Beer)
• Futurama Episode Review – How the West was 1010001 (and Beer Review: The Shining by Foam Brewers)
• Futurama Episode Review – Parasites Regained
• Beer Review: Hop Bender (Local Craft Beer)
• Futurama Episode Review – I Know What You Did Next XMas and Beer Review: Bo Katan Red IPA (Brewery Fire)
• 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 on Draft and Cans at Intermission Beer Company
• Beer Review: I’m 40% Galaxy (Local Craft Beer)

Lord of the Rings:

• Book Review: An Atlas of Tolkien (David Day)
• Book Review: The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Magic the Gathering:

• New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

Heroes of Barcadia:

• Rollacrit Partners with Voodoo Ranger IPA for New Kickstarter, Heroes of Barcadia: Heroes for Hire Tabletop Game

Zelda:

• Zelda and Craft Beer
• Beer Review: Motueka’s Mask (Black Flag Brewing Company)
• Book Review: The Psychology of Zelda (edited by Anthony M. Bean)
• Book Review: The Legend of Zelda and Theology (edited by Jonathan L. Walls)
• Beer Review: Triforce Hazy IPA (Black Flag Brewing Company)

Rick and Morty:

• Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

Space Balls:

• Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

Game of Thrones:

• Beer Review: Game of Thrones: My Watch Has Ended (Omnegang Brewery)
• Book Review: The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (George R.R. Martin)

The Simpsons:

• Beer Review: I Voted for Kodos (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: I Voted for Kang (Second Sin Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Ned Flanders Red (AleCraft Brewery)

Back to the Future:

• Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

Scrooged:

• Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

Groundhog Day:

• Beer Review: Prognosticator Pils (Logyard Brewing Company)
• Logyard Brewing’s Prognosticator Pils is the Official Beer of Groundhog Day (2022)

A Christmas Story:

• Beer Review: The Soft Electric Glow of Sex (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! (Eight and Sand Beer Co)

The Peanuts:

• Book Review: The Philosophy of Snoopy (Charles M. Schulz)
• Book Review: You Don’t Look 35, Charlie Brown! (Charles M. Schulz)

Pro Wrestling:

• Beer Review: Broken Skull – Stone Cold Steve Austin’s IPA (El Segundo Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Macho Man (Couch Brewery)
• Beer Review: Royal Rumble (Funk Brewing)
• Stone Cold Steve Austin and the WWE Are Celebrating 3:16 Day
• Human Robot and The Full Pint Are Hosting RoboMania
• Brawl in the Beer Hall at Lakefront Brewery
• Hulk Hogan Announces Real American Beer
• Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Negligence at Promotional Event

Soccer:

• Beer Review: Pulisic Pilsner (Jackass Brewing Company)
• Book Review: Pulisic – My Journey So Far (Christian Pulisic)

World Cup:

• Qatar Bans Alcohol Sales at World Cup in Last Second Decision
• Breweries Opening Early For the USA vs Netherlands World Cup Game
• World Cup Kickoff Meets Craft Beer Culture
• Scotland Fans Drink Boston Lager Dry During 2026 FIFA World Cup, Forcing Emergency Beer Deliveries

Phillies:

• Drunk Phils Fans and Rotunda Brewing Company Collaborate Together on Jam the Batter sWheat Tart
• Mystery Phillies fan buys rounds of beer for people in Section 103

Philadelphia Eagles:

• The Philadelphia Eagles Running Back – D’Andre Swift – Visits Bald Bird Brewing Company

Matrix:

• Matrix Monday

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:

• Beer Review: Terpenes in Time (BAREBottle Brewing Co)

Mario:

• Beer Review: Level Up (Idiom Brewing)

HP Lovecraft / Cthulhu:

• Beer Review: Azathoth (Edmund’s Oast Brewing Company)

Seinfeld:

• Beer Review: Jon Voight’s Car (RAR Brewing)
• Beer Review: Airing of Grievances (Black Flag Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Treats of Strength (Icarus Brewing)

The Muppets:

• RAR Brewing – Out of Order – Muppet Series Can Release
• RAR Brewing Brings the Nostalgia with Muppets Out of Order Series

Jason Voorhees / Friday the 13th:

• Beer Review: Juicin’ Voorhees (Pariah Brewing Company)
• Haunted Hops

Other:

• Beer Review: Super Villain (Urban Village Brewing Company)
• Beer Review: Pixels (Seminar Brewing)
• Beer Review: Villeinage (Elder Pine Brewing and Blending)
• Beer Review: Intergalactic Deals (Levante Brewing)
• Beer Review: Galactic Space Circus (Creature Comforts Brewing Co)
• Beer Review: The Death of Civilization in Slow Motion I (Ghost 907) (Adroit Theory)

By B. Kline | The Beer Thrillers

What Is Cold IPA? The Complete Guide to Craft Beer’s Most Confusing Style

What Is a Cold IPA?

A Cold IPA is a modern beer style that combines the hop-forward character of a West Coast IPA with the crisp, clean drinkability of a lager.

Unlike traditional India Pale Ales, Cold IPAs are typically fermented with lager yeast or a very clean ale yeast and often include adjunct grains such as rice or corn. The result is a beer that showcases hop aroma and bitterness while remaining lighter-bodied and exceptionally crisp.

In simple terms:

A Cold IPA drinks like a lager but tastes like an IPA.

This relatively new beer style has quickly become one of the most discussed innovations in the craft beer industry.

Quick Answer

If you’re looking for the short answer:

• Cold IPA is a hop-forward beer style.
• It uses lager-like fermentation techniques.
• It is drier and crisper than most IPAs.
• It is more bitter than a Hazy IPA.
• It is designed to highlight hop character without excessive malt sweetness.

Who Invented the Cold IPA?

The style is widely credited to brewer Kevin Davey of Wayfinder Beer in Portland, Oregon.

Davey developed the concept as a way to create a beer that showcased modern hop varieties while maintaining the crisp finish of a lager. The style quickly spread throughout the craft beer industry and can now be found in breweries across the United States.

What Makes a Cold IPA Different?

Many beer drinkers confuse Cold IPA with other popular IPA styles.

Cold IPA vs West Coast IPA

While both styles emphasize hop bitterness and aroma, Cold IPAs generally:

• Finish drier
• Have less malt character
• Feature a lighter body
• Often use lager fermentation methods

Cold IPA vs Hazy IPA

Hazy IPAs focus on:

• Juicy fruit flavors
• Soft mouthfeel
• Low bitterness
• Oat-heavy grain bills

Cold IPAs focus on:

• Crisp drinkability
• Higher bitterness
• Cleaner fermentation
• Sharper hop expression

Cold IPA vs IPL (India Pale Lager)

This comparison causes the most confusion.

While the two styles are similar, many brewers view Cold IPA as a distinct category because it was intentionally designed with specific brewing techniques and flavor goals rather than simply being an IPA brewed with lager yeast.

What Does a Cold IPA Taste Like?

Most Cold IPAs showcase flavors and aromas such as:

• Citrus
• Pine
• Tropical fruit
• White grape
• Berry
• Resinous hop character

The finish is often:

• Crisp
• Dry
• Refreshing
• Clean

Many drinkers describe Cold IPA as being more refreshing than a traditional IPA while still delivering plenty of hop intensity.

Why Are Brewers Making Cold IPAs?

Craft brewers are constantly searching for ways to innovate while maintaining drinkability.

Cold IPA allows breweries to:

• Showcase modern hop varieties
• Create highly drinkable beers
• Appeal to both IPA and lager drinkers
• Differentiate themselves in crowded taproom lineups

The style has become especially popular during warmer months when consumers often seek lighter-bodied beers without sacrificing flavor.

Best Cold IPA Examples

While availability varies by region, some highly regarded examples include:

• Relapse Cold IPA by Wayfinder Beer
• Various seasonal Cold IPAs from regional craft breweries
• Limited releases from innovative lager-focused breweries

Because the style remains relatively young, new interpretations continue to emerge every year.

Should You Try a Cold IPA?

If you enjoy:

• West Coast IPAs
• Pilsners
• India Pale Lagers
• Crisp, hop-forward beers

Then a Cold IPA is absolutely worth trying.

It offers many of the hop characteristics IPA fans love while delivering a cleaner and more refreshing drinking experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Cold IPA served colder?

No. The name does not refer to serving temperature.

The term “Cold IPA” refers to the brewing process and fermentation approach used to create the style.

Is a Cold IPA a lager?

Not exactly.

Many Cold IPAs use lager yeast or lager-inspired techniques, but they are generally considered a separate style.

Are Cold IPAs bitter?

Yes. Most Cold IPAs feature moderate to high bitterness, especially compared to Hazy IPAs.

What alcohol percentage is a Cold IPA?

Most Cold IPAs range between 6% and 7.5% ABV, although examples outside that range exist.

Final Thoughts

The Cold IPA may have started as an experiment, but it has quickly become one of the most influential new styles in craft beer.

By combining the crisp refreshment of a lager with the hop intensity of an IPA, breweries have created a beer that appeals to a wide range of drinkers. Whether you’re a dedicated hophead or a lager enthusiast looking to explore something new, Cold IPA offers a unique bridge between two of craft beer’s most beloved categories.

As breweries continue refining and expanding the style, don’t be surprised if Cold IPA becomes a permanent fixture in taprooms across the country.

Picture this: Friends clink hazy IPAs on the patio while a private chef sears smash-style sliders over oak coals. The hum of conversation, a crisp pilsner nose, and soft breeze through the trees. This is more idyllic than a restaurant. It’s home, but upgraded. No lines, no rush, just good beer and smart food. It’s apparent why craft beer and chef-hosted events are becoming so popular.

Two People Cheering Craft Beer Over a Backyard Dinner

Key Takeaways:

• Craft beer + chef-hosted backyard events create a flexible, high-quality alternative to
  crowded taprooms.
• Real menu curation (and allergy control) beats guesswork and helps pairings become
  purposeful, not random.
• Clear logistics: rentals, weather plan, per-guest costs keep the party smooth.
• Start small with a pilot tasting; refine your format, then scale.

Backyard 2.0: Craft Beer Meets Culinary Flair

Professional chefs can set the pace and make sure the food-brew pairings are purposeful: three to five small plates, served in sequence, so the beer-and-bite story actually has chapters. For instanc

• Pilsner + peach-chipotle ribs: crisp peach flavor cuts sweet heat.
• Stout + smoked chocolate tart: roasted meets roasted.
• Hazy IPA + smashed burger: hops go hand-in-hand with fatty meats.

Ever chased a pilsner with peach-chipotle ribs? Bliss.

Why Chef-Hosted Events Outshine DIY BBQs

Cutting Vegetables on Board as part of Backyard Food Prep

DIY can be fun, but often stressful. Hence the growing personal chef market.

A professional chef can handle the cooking, pairing, timing, and food safety. They also build menus around intolerances (gluten, shellfish) without making it feel like a compromise. And cleanup? Handled. Guests linger over a final pour while pans get polished in the background. Some of the benefits of a professional chef include:

• Menu curation that respects beer styles and dietary needs.
• Consistent execution plate after plate (your grill can relax).
• Post-service cleanup so the host can actually be a host.

Designing Your Own “Craft Beer Party”

Think flight with a story. Four pours, 3-5 ounces each, moving from bright to bold. Add proper glassware tulips for Belgian ales, nonic pints for sessionables, and seasonal bites. Keep portions small; bring back favorites for seconds. For a simple setup checklist for a craft beer party, see this tasting guide.

Budget and Logistics

Budgeting and Logistics Are Important

Per-guest ranges can vary. A normal range is $50-$125+, depending on menu ambition, rentals (tables, warmers), and chef availability. Consider weather (tent or indoor backup), a dedicated ice station, and a staging table for plating. One event-industry survey suggests well-planned small gatherings reduce last-minute costs and waste, especially when vendors coordinate early.

Consider:

• Contingencies: coolers, extension cords, towels, extra ice.
• Rentals: prioritize glassware, shade, and lighting.
• Timeline: 2.5-3 hours service, plus 60-90 minutes setup/teardown.

Ready? Keep It Simple

Planning a birthday flight or a neighborhood collab night? The best backyard experiences feel produced but not fussy. Don’t try to do anything elaborate – especially if this is your first such event. Keep the bones simple: thoughtful pairings, steady execution, beer with a point of view. Start small, take notes, tweak. Then share a few

Julia Nikolaus

Julia Nikolaus is a guest writer for the site, she has also written: 4 Ways to Incorporate Sustainable Practices Into Your Craft Brewery. (This article was written, created, and drafted by her. We often get submissions and writings and articles from outside groups, agencies, writers, bloggers, influencers, etc. If you would like to write for The Beer Thrillers, you can contact us at our contact page: CONTACT US. Or you can e-mail us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

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By B. Kline | The Beer Thrillers

What Is Craft Beer?

Craft beer is beer produced by small, independent breweries that prioritize flavor, quality, creativity, and traditional brewing methods over mass production.

Unlike large macro-breweries that focus on consistency and volume, craft breweries often experiment with unique ingredients, brewing techniques, and beer styles. The result is a diverse range of flavors that can include everything from citrus-forward IPAs to rich imperial stouts and tart barrel-aged sours.

The modern craft beer movement has transformed the American beer landscape, giving consumers more choices than ever before.

What is Craft Beer in 2026

The Official Definition of Craft Beer

According to the Brewers Association, a craft brewer is:

• Small (producing less than 6 million barrels annually)
• Independent (less than 25% owned by a non-craft beverage company)
• Traditional (focused on brewing beer rather than primarily producing alternative beverages)

While many beer drinkers simply think of craft beer as “beer made by a local brewery,” the industry maintains specific guidelines to distinguish craft brewers from large multinational corporations.

How Is Craft Beer Different From Regular Beer?

The biggest difference is not necessarily quality—it’s philosophy.

Most large breweries focus on creating a consistent product that tastes identical whether you buy it in Pennsylvania, California, or Florida.

Craft breweries often focus on:

Innovation

Craft brewers regularly experiment with:

• New hop varieties
• Fruit additions
• Barrel aging
• Wild fermentation
• Specialty malts
• Locally sourced ingredients

Variety

A macro brewery may release a handful of beers each year.

Many craft breweries release dozens—or even hundreds—of different beers annually.

Community

Craft breweries frequently serve as community gathering spaces, hosting events, fundraisers, live music, trivia nights, and collaborations with local organizations.

The Most Popular Craft Beer Styles

India Pale Ale (IPA)

IPAs remain the dominant force in American craft beer.

Common IPA variations include:

• West Coast IPA
• New England IPA (Hazy IPA)
• Double IPA
• Triple IPA
• Cold IPA
• Session IPA

Most IPAs emphasize hop character, delivering flavors ranging from citrus and tropical fruit to pine, resin, and stone fruit.

Stout

Stouts are dark beers known for flavors of:

• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Roasted malt
• Caramel
• Dark fruit

Imperial stouts often reach higher alcohol levels and may be aged in bourbon, rum, or whiskey barrels.

Pilsner

Pilsners have experienced a major resurgence in craft beer.

These crisp, refreshing lagers showcase subtle malt sweetness balanced by floral or spicy hop notes.

Sour Beer

Sour beers intentionally incorporate acidity.

Popular examples include:

• Berliner Weisse
• Gose
• Lambic-inspired ales
• Fruited kettle sours

Lager

While once overshadowed by hop-heavy styles, lagers have become one of the fastest-growing segments of craft beer.

Many brewers view lagers as the ultimate test of brewing skill due to their simplicity and lack of flaws to hide behind.

Why Has Craft Beer Become So Popular?

Several factors have fueled craft beer’s growth.

Consumers Want Flavor

Modern drinkers increasingly seek unique experiences and stronger flavor profiles.

Craft beer provides endless opportunities for exploration.

Local Businesses Matter

Many consumers intentionally support local breweries because they contribute directly to local economies.

Brewery Tourism Is Growing

Breweries have become destinations.

Beer enthusiasts frequently travel specifically to visit renowned breweries, attend festivals, and collect unique beer experiences.

Is Craft Beer More Expensive?

Generally, yes.

Craft breweries operate on a much smaller scale than multinational brewing corporations.

Factors that increase costs include:

• Higher-quality ingredients
• Smaller production runs
• Specialized equipment
• Labor-intensive brewing methods
• Barrel-aging programs

However, many consumers view craft beer similarly to specialty coffee or artisan food products: a premium experience worth paying for.

How Should Beginners Start Exploring Craft Beer?

For newcomers, the best approach is simple:

Start Broad

Try:

• A pilsner
• A pale ale
• A hazy IPA
• A stout
• A sour beer

This provides a foundation for understanding personal preferences.

Visit Local Breweries

Nothing accelerates beer education like talking directly with brewers and brewery staff.

Most breweries offer flights, allowing visitors to sample multiple styles in a single visit.

Take Notes

Many enthusiasts eventually realize they cannot remember every beer they’ve tried.

Keeping a simple log can help identify favorite styles, breweries, and flavor profiles.

Is Craft Beer Still Growing?

The craft beer industry has matured considerably.

While the explosive growth of the 2010s has slowed, craft beer continues evolving.

Current trends include:

• Craft lagers
• Non-alcoholic craft beer
• Low-alcohol offerings
• Italian pilsners
• Hop water
• Mixed-culture fermentation
• Hyper-local brewery experiences

The future of craft beer appears less focused on chasing trends and more focused on producing exceptional beer while building strong local communities.

Final Thoughts

Craft beer is ultimately about exploration.

Whether you’re enjoying your first brewery visit or searching for the next great barrel-aged stout, craft beer offers a nearly endless world of flavors, stories, and experiences.

The best craft beer isn’t necessarily the rarest, highest-rated, or most expensive.

It’s the one that creates a memorable experience—shared with friends, discovered on a road trip, or enjoyed after a long day.

And that’s something worth raising a glass to.

What if your next pint could do more than just taste great — what if it protected you from disease? That’s the bold idea behind a controversial experiment from virologist Chris Buck, who literally brewed a beer that may act as a vaccine.

Chris Buck drinking his vaccine brew. (Photo credit: ScienceNews)

From Lab Coat to Home Brew

Chris Buck isn’t your typical home brewer — he’s a virologist at the National Cancer Institute, known for discovering several human polyomaviruses, a family of viruses linked to cancers and serious infections in people with weakened immune systems.

Buck’s day job involves developing vaccines against these viruses, but he took things in an unexpected direction: using yeast engineered to produce viral proteins, he brewed a beer that delivered those proteins orally. Drink a pint, and your body might make antibodies against polyomaviruses — that’s the theory.

The DIY Vaccine Brew

Buck’s vaccine beer isn’t a government-sanctioned product — he brewed it in his kitchen and drank it himself as part of a self-experiment. After consuming multiple batches, including his brother and other family members, blood tests showed they produced antibodies against some types of the virus without apparent side effects.

To share his work, he posted the brewing method and results on open science platforms, though these findings haven’t been peer-reviewed — meaning the wider scientific community hasn’t yet vetted the data formally.

The Debate Around Vaccine Beer

Unsurprisingly, this brew has sparked lively debate:

Skeptics Raise Safety Flags:
Experts point out that Buck’s experiment involved only a few people — not the large, structured clinical trials typically required to prove whether a vaccine is safe and effective. That’s especially critical for vulnerable groups like organ transplant patients, who are at higher risk from polyomaviruses.

Concerns About Public Trust:
Some ethicists and scientists worry that releasing a vaccine-style beer outside rigorous studies could fuel misinformation or undermine confidence in proven vaccines.

A Different Perspective:
Other voices see promise in making vaccines more approachable. If people could brew or drink something familiar like beer to get immunity, it might reduce fear and barriers around vaccination — if it could ever be properly validated.

What’s Next?

Back at the NIH, Buck continues traditional research on an injectable polyomavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, his yeast-based approach remains unapproved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and outside established vaccine development pathways.

Buck argues that innovative methods are worth exploring — and that if people want to brew their own vaccine beer at home, that’s their choice. Whether beer as medicine becomes legend or just a curiosity, it’s already sparked a fascinating conversation at the intersection of brewing culture and cutting-edge science.

Sources and Citations

• ScienceNews: He made beer that’s also a vaccine. Now controversy is brewing
• Twitter: NEXTA

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We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

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Every beer lover knows there are year-round classics and then there are seasonal legends. In Mexico, there’s one beer that truly belongs to the holiday season—a dark, rich brew that locals look forward to all year: Noche Buena.

A Beer Wrapped in Tradition

Translated literally as “Good Night,” Noche Buena references Christmas Eve, the most celebrated night of the yuletide season in Mexico. While most commercial Mexican lagers are pale and light, this beer stands apart. A dark Bock-style seasonal, it only appears on shelves late each year, usually from October through December, making it one of the most anticipated beer releases of the year south of the border.

Unlike Mexico’s ubiquitous pale lagers, Noche Buena leans into something deeper and richer—a malty character with a smooth body and complex flavor profile that pairs beautifully with hearty winter and festive foods.

From House Brew to Holiday Favorite

The story of Noche Buena stretches back to the early 20th century. Brewed by Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, a historic Mexican brewery now part of Heineken México, this beer was originally created as a special winter brew and has been produced as a holiday tradition for generations.

What makes it stand out is not just its seasonal scarcity, but the way it’s become culturally woven into the holiday calendar. For many Mexicans, opening a bottle of Noche Buena isn’t just having a beer—it’s a signal that the festive season has begun.

What to Expect in the Glass

Traditional Noche Buena pours a dark amber to deep reddish-brown, with aromas that evoke caramel, roasted malt, and gentle Christmas spices. On the palate, it carries a medium-to-full body with a balanced sweetness, light bitterness, and flavors that can include toasted malts, chocolate, and subtle fruit notes. Its alcohol content hovers around 5.9% ABV, giving it a warmth that suits cooler weather and festive gatherings.

This beer’s profile makes it a great companion to rich holiday fare—from spiced breads and roasted meats to darker desserts—but it’s also just as rewarding enjoyed slowly on its own as part of a seasonal beer tasting.

Why It Only Comes Once a Year

Like many winter seasonal beers both in Europe and North America, Noche Buena carries a tradition that ties it to specific climatic and cultural rhythms. Bocks historically were brewed for cold weather harvest and celebration seasons, and Noche Buena continues that pattern by appearing only during winter.

Its limited availability—combined with genuine affection from drinkers—means many beer lovers treat its release like the arrival of holiday lights: it just wouldn’t feel like December in Mexico without it.

Whether you’re lucky enough to track down a bottle in Mexico or see special seasonal imports crop up in select markets, Noche Buena is a fascinating example of how beer and tradition can become inseparable.

Sources

Sources and citations:

• Wikipedia – Beer in Mexico
• Wikipedia – Noche Buena
• Mexico News Daily
• BeerAdvocate
• El Financiero
• BBC: Noche Buena: The Mexican beer you can only buy at Christmas

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Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

For beer lovers, the notion of a federal government shutdown might seem distant—something about national parks, IRS forms, and Congress fighting over budgets. But for breweries—especially craft breweries with narrow margins, seasonal releases, and regulatory dependencies—a shutdown can become existential. In October 2025, as federal funding lapsed and agencies began furloughing non-essential staff, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) effectively ground to a halt in its regulatory functions.

This post is a deep dive into how the shutdown ripples through the craft brewing world, nationally and in Pennsylvania, how breweries can respond, which ones may weather the storm best, and what the future might hold.

The Government Shut Down and Pennsylvania Breweries (2025 Edition)

1. Overview: The 2025 Shutdown and What’s Actually “Off the Shelf”

What triggered it

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass appropriation bills or a continuing resolution. The lapse in funding forced many federal agencies to suspend non-essential operations.

The TTB, a critical agency for breweries (and wineries, distilleries), publicly posted its shutdown plan: out of approximately 459 staffers, 398 would be furloughed, leaving only around 61 “excepted” employees to maintain legally required and essential operations.

What functions continue (and why)

The TTB’s “excepted” functions are narrowly defined. Among the tasks that will continue:

• Processing excise tax returns that include remittance (i.e. payments)

• Maintaining minimal computer / IT operations to avoid data loss or system collapse

• Protecting statute expirations, liens, seizures, federal property — i.e. safeguarding legal and financial infrastructures

• Criminal enforcement, to the extent required by statute, and operations that cannot legally pause

However, most of what breweries rely on will be suspended or delayed:

• Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) reviews and approvals

• Formula approvals

• Brewer’s permit application or modification

• Laboratory services and testing

• Non-criminal investigations, audits, inspections

• Administrative support, customer service, and non-statutory tasks

In effect, if you had a label to approve or a change in formula to submit, it’s on ice. You can submit electronically, but nothing moves until TTB is fully funded again.

Trade associations are already warning of a backlog when operations resume.

2. National Impact: The Shockwaves through the Craft Beer Industry

It’s easy to imagine that a government shutdown is a “Washington problem,” but the brewing sector is one of the less obvious industries hit hard and fast. Let’s trace the national picture before we localize to Pennsylvania.

Why breweries are uniquely vulnerable

• Regulatory dependency: Breweries must interact with TTB for label approvals, permit changes, formula permissions, and compliance oversight. When TTB pauses, breweries cannot legally launch new products or adjust existing ones.

• Seasonal and specialty beer timing: Many breweries operate on tight windows: spring IPAs, summer sours, fall pumpkins, winter stouts. Any delay in approval can push a beer’s launch past its season, undermining marketing and sales.

• Supply chain interlocking: Ingredient imports, yeast procurement, packaging changes (if new label art or recipes), and logistics are often timed to regulatory clearance. Delays there cascade into production and distribution.

• Margin sensitivity: Craft breweries typically run lean. A few weeks of delay can jeopardize cash flow, especially for smaller operations without deep reserves.

• Three-tier distribution pressures: Because craft brewers often must move through distributors and retailers, downstream partners expect timely delivery. A delay in one link (label approval) can stall the entire path.

Recent shutdowns as precedent

In the 2019 federal shutdown, breweries found their seasonal releases held up. In the Philadelphia region, for example, breweries that had planned winter or spring launches were forced to delay or cancel new beers because labels couldn’t be approved.

Industry analysts note that during shutdowns, many breweries end up with “tanks full of beer they can’t release.”

The Brewers Association, reacting to the current shutdown, is advising brewers to expect immediate disruptions to labeling, formula, permitting, and that the pause may last for some time.

Distillers, winemakers, and crossover impacts

While this post is beer-centric, the parallels in the wine and spirits world help underscore how universal the regulatory risk is:

• Distillers see the same freeze on label and formula approvals during shutdowns.

• The wine industry notes that permit and label processing stops entirely, though excise payment functions remain.

• The broader hospitality sector feels the ripple: delayed new product releases, fewer SKUs entering the market, and slowed innovation.

In short: The shutdown isn’t a minor inconvenience. It threatens growth, planning, and the very operations of craft beer producers across the country.

3. Pennsylvania Breweries: Facing the Shutdown in the Keystone State

Now let’s zoom in. Pennsylvania is one of the heavyweight states in craft beer. The stakes are high—and uneven across breweries.

The state’s brewing landscape (pre-shutdown)

To understand who’s most vulnerable, we need to recap how Pennsylvania’s beer economy stands:

• Pennsylvania ranks among the top states in craft beer production and economic impact.

• As of 2023/2024, the craft beer industry in PA contributed billions to state economies, with strong volumes.

• However, 2024 saw some contraction: some of PA’s larger craft breweries reported sales declines, and at least 18 breweries closed in the state.

• The craft boom in PA has also been tempered by saturation, competition, and broader market pressures.

• Additionally, in 2025, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (a multi-location brewpub chain that included ten in PA) abruptly closed all locations, citing financial challenges.

Given this backdrop, a shutdown may push already marginal players dangerously close to the edge.

Local precedents: how past shutdowns affected PA brewers

In 2019, when the federal shutdown paused TTB approvals, breweries in the Philadelphia region reported that seasonal launches were delayed or canceled. WHYY covered how Dock Street Brewery, for example, had new beer plans halted midstream.

Ted Zeller, General Counsel to the Pennsylvania Brewers Association, warned that without label approvals, beers can’t reach shelf or tapline.

These episodes show that PA brewers are not new to this risk—but this shutdown may be deeper, longer, and more consequential.

What’s different in 2025

• Larger scale and more sophistication: Some PA breweries now operate regionally or nationally and often have tighter supply chains, making delays more damaging.

• Slimming margins: With recent sales declines and closures, many breweries may not have much buffer.

• Distribution complexity: Breweries supplying interstate markets will be directly hit if TTB doesn’t approve labels for out-of-state distribution.

• Connected local networks: PA breweries often collaborate, co-brew, or share resources. Therefore, a shock to one node can affect others.

• Media attention and local demand: As beer tourism picks up, local reputation matters. Delays or canceled launches may erode consumer trust.

Who in Pennsylvania may handle this better (and who’s vulnerable)

Best positioned:

• Large, vertically integrated breweries
  For example, D.G. Yuengling & Son, with deep reserves, long operating history, and diversified operations, is better able to weather temporary disruptions. (Though even they are not immune—2024 saw an 8% sales drop for Yuengling.)

• Breweries with stable, ongoing SKUs
  Brewers whose core lineup dominates their sales are less reliant on frequent label tweaks or seasonal launches.

• Breweries with local focus
  Breweries that sell primarily within Pennsylvania and whose distribution doesn’t cross state lines may be less exposed to label/distribution bottlenecks.

• Those with compliance and regulatory foresight
  Breweries that preemptively processed label changes, modular formula options, or prepared alternate versions may be more resilient.

• Cash-rich or well-funded operations
  The ones with financial reserves to absorb a few weeks (or even months) of stalled product launches.

Most vulnerable:

• Small startups and taproom-centric breweries
  New breweries relying on label and permit approval to launch or move beyond taproom sales could face crippling delays.

• Breweries with heavy seasonal catalogs
  Those whose revenue depends heavily on limited releases (e.g. fall pumpkin ales) are in the crosshairs.

• Breweries with narrow margins
  Those already struggling with rising costs, labor pressure, or debt burden will feel immediate financial strain.

• Operators with heavy interstate distribution
  If their label approvals are stalled, they can’t ship new beers out of state, which may suppress growth or demand.

While I did not find credible published quotes yet from specific Pennsylvania breweries making statements about the 2025 shutdown, the patterns and warnings are consistent from breweries in other states and in prior shutdowns. The Brewers Association, American Craft Beer, and LibationLaw provide strong industry frameworks.

4. Historical Context: Shutdowns, Precedents, & Lessons Learned

To truly appreciate the severity of the current landscape, it helps to look back at how prior shutdowns have hit breweries—and what lessons can shape responses.

2019–2020 shutdowns and craft beer

The 2019 federal shutdown (Dec 2018 – Jan 2019) was one of the longer interruptions in memory. During that time:

• The TTB essentially stopped approving new labels, formulas, and permits. Breweries were left waiting.

• In the Philadelphia region, breweries canceled or delayed seasonal launches.

• Some breweries reportedly had beer languishing in tanks because they couldn’t legally bring it to market.

The takeaway: even a few weeks of delay can derail a brewery’s schedule, cash flow, and consumer momentum.

Shutdowns during the Trump era & industry behavior

While not always explicitly tied to breweries, shutdowns under the Trump administration repeatedly spotlighted delays in regulatory agencies—a pattern breweries grew accustomed to treating as “business risk.”

Some breweries adopted strategies like:

• Pre-submitting all anticipated label filings before seasonal cycles

• Buffering product inventory before expected shutdown windows

• Avoiding reliance on narrow release windows near the edges of regulatory cycles

These behavioral adaptations are relevant now as well.

Broader regulatory and enforcement shutdown history

Historically, during government shutdowns, many federal oversight functions roll back to bare minimums — public health, safety, and financial protection are prioritized, while discretionary functions halt. This has ripple effects in food, environmental, and industrial sectors. Breweries often live in that discretionary space (e.g. labeling, new product approvals).

Additionally, during shutdowns, the backlog and pent-up demand can swamp agencies when they reopen—leading to long delays even after funding is restored. That “catch-up hangover” is part of the real cost.

5. What Breweries Can Do: Mitigation Strategies & Prepared Moves

Even as the shutdown looms, breweries aren’t powerless. Below are actionable strategies to reduce risks and improve resilience.

Pre-shutdown preparedness (ideally before the lapse)

1. File early and often
   Submit label changes, formula modifications, and permit adjustments before the funding cutoff—if possible.

2. Submit “scalable” or modular label/ formula alternatives
   If your process allows, pre-file alternate labels or versions that require minimal changes so that small tweaks may sail through or avoid major rejections later.

3. Stock up buffer inventory
   For key seasonal or high-margin beers, produce extra in advance so you have something to market while new releases are stalled.

4. Reserve critical raw materials
   If import or customs delays might arise, have extra hops, yeast, adjuncts, or packaging materials in hand.

5. Tighten compliance and audits now
   Make sure all existing labels, formulations, ingredients, and documentation are in order to minimize risk of regulatory flags when oversight resumes.

6. Stress test cash flow
   Model scenarios: what if launches are delayed two months? What if some SKUs are stuck? Understand worst-case margins.

7. Engage with trade organizations
   The Brewers Association, state brewer groups, and regional alliances can lobby, share intelligence, and amplify impact.

During the shutdown: defensive operations

1. Pause new launches
   Don’t start marketing or production of new SKUs intended for release until the regulatory path clears.

2. Pivot focus to core SKUs and taproom sales
   Double down on what you already can sell legally without needing new approvals.

3. Communicate carefully
   Let distributors, retailers, and customers know there may be delays—maintaining goodwill is crucial.

4. Monitor federal announcements
   Stay abreast of TTB, Treasury, and Congressional developments via official portals and trade newsletters.

5. Document everything
   Track submission dates, label versions, formula data, correspondence—so when the agency reopens, you have clear records.

6. Plan for extended backlog
   Anticipate that even after funding returns, approvals may be slow. Prioritize essential filings first and consider triaging less critical ones.

7. Explore intra-state sales or local channels
   If possible under state law, sell more directly to local consumers or use taproom strength to offset distribution delays.

Post-shutdown: recovery & catch-up

1. Push prioritized filings immediately
   As soon as TTB reopens, move critical filings (seasonal releases, revenue drivers) to the head of the queue.

2. Reconfirm submissions
   Sometimes, during the pause, systems or databases may lose synchronization—confirm that your filings are intact.

3. Negotiate with distributors/retailers
   Get buy-in for staggered delivery or alternate SKUs while the label queue clears.

4. Leverage marketing flexibility
   Use the delay period to ramp up pre-launch hype so that once you’re cleared, demand is ready.

5. Learn and adapt
   Use the shutdown experience to revise your regulatory strategy for future cycles.

6. Pennsylvania Breweries Best Equipped (and What They Bring to the Table)

Some Pennsylvania breweries are better positioned to survive (or even thrive) during a regulatory freeze. Below are illustrative types and examples, along with traits to emulate.

D.G. Yuengling & Son (Pottsville, PA)

• Legacy scale & capital reserves: As the oldest brewery in America, Yuengling has operational depth and financial strength.

• Core SKU dominance: They rely heavily on flagship beers, less frequent branding shifts, and have strong name recognition.

• Vertical infrastructure: Large operations, distribution networks, and buffer capacity give flexibility.

• Community and brand loyalty: Their historic brand status gives them a cushion when marketing or new SKUs stall.

While not immune to shutdown pressures—they saw an 8% sales drop in 2024—Yuengling is in a relatively advantaged position.

Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, PA)

As one of Pennsylvania’s well-known craft names, Tröegs has a diversified portfolio, regional distribution, and a stable market presence. Their size and brand equity give them room to absorb delays. (Cited among PA’s top producers in recent rankings.)

Pittsburgh Brewing / Iron City

Pittsburgh has a storied brewing heritage. Pittsburgh Brewing (and legacy brands tied with it) can tap into legacy branding and local loyalty.

Mid-sized regional brewers

Brewers who have scaled somewhat—enough to maintain reserves, but still nimble—are in a sweet spot. If they primarily serve Pennsylvania or neighboring states, so long as label and permit issues are handled prudently, they may endure better than small startups.

Taproom / direct-sales centric brewers

Breweries whose revenue and brand come largely from on-site sales, community events, and local customers can sidestep some distribution and label pressures. While they still need regulatory compliance, their reliance on novelty SKUs is lower.

Traits to emulate (beyond names)

• Advance filing discipline

• Modular product planning

• Cash buffer and financial flexibility

• Strong local consumer support

• Robust taproom and direct-to-consumer channels

• Agile marketing and pipeline coordination

These traits help create a buffer against the sudden regulatory blackout.

7. Closing Thoughts

This shutdown is more than a bureaucratic freeze — it’s a stress test on how deeply entwined craft beer is with federal infrastructure. I’ve seen breweries born in garages and grow into regional legends; I’ve watched label art get revised, formulas rebalanced, and seasonal beers become brand inflection points. The TTB, often unseen by drinkers, is a silent gatekeeper. When it pauses, the gates slam shut.

Pennsylvania, with its brewing heritage rooted in Yuengling and vibrant craft corridors in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and beyond, is front and center in this fight. Some breweries will grit their way through with lean operations and agile pivots. Others may stagger. A few may not survive. That’s not alarmism — it’s acknowledging the unexpected: months of delays, a backlog of approvals, and consumer impatience.

If Congress and the White House manage to restore funding soon, we’ll see a mad sprint at TTB headquarters to clear the backlog. But that won’t erase the weeks lost. Breweries that had planned, built buffer, and stayed lean will have a head start. Those caught flat-footed will be scrambling.

To brewers in Pennsylvania: move carefully, prioritize your essential SKUs, protect your cash, and plan as though this shutdown could last weeks — or even stretch long enough to undermine your seasonal wheels. Trade groups, local MLA’s, and the Pennsylvania Brewers Association must be your ally. Use them. Stay vocal in public forums, media, and with congressional offices — your local voice counts.

I believe in the resilience of this community. Beer thrives on risk, on experimentation, and on the tenacity of people who wake daily to mash, boil, ferment, package, and sell. But risk without hedges is needless and preventable. Use this as a wake-up call: regulatory risk is real. Build for it. And when the breweries in Pennsylvania emerge from this shutdown, let the stories of adaptation, survival, and ingenuity be part of what defines the next chapter in American craft beer.

Raise one — cautiously, but optimistically — to better days ahead.

8. Sources

• Libation Law Blog — “TTB Publishes Shutdown Plan: What It Means for the Beverage Industry”
  https://libationlawblog.com/2025/09/30/ttb-shutdown-plan-2025/
• Treasury / TTB — “TTB Shutdown Plan (Lapse Plan PDF)”
  https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/266/Treasury_TTB_Lapse_Plan.pdf
• TTB — “Funding Lapse Information for TTB Employees”
  https://www.ttb.gov/funding-lapse-information-ttb-employees
• Brewers Association — “Government Shutdown Now in Effect: What Brewers Should Know”
  https://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs-updates/government-shutdown-now-in-effect-what-brewers-should-know/
• Brewers Association — “Government Shutdown Now in Effect (alternate)”
  https://www.brewersassociation.org/current-issues/government-shutdown-now-in-effect-what-brewers-should-know-2/
• Wine Institute — “U.S. Government Shuts Down: TTB Services Suspended”
  https://wineinstitute.org/news-alerts/u-s-government-shuts-down-ttb-services-suspended/
• Spirits & Distilling — “What the TTB Shutdown Means for Distillers”
  https://www.spiritsanddistilling.com/what-the-ttb-shutdown-means-for-distillers
• Fox43 — “Pa. breweries step up after Iron Hill closure”
  https://www.fox43.com/article/life/food/pa-breweries-step-up-after-iron-hill-closure-customers-staff-gift-cards-rewards/521-3cf68293-94ba-4c2f-bc02-bed1bb968ca8
• Axios — “Pennsylvania’s largest breweries see sales drop in 2024”
  https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/01/pennsylvania-breweries-sales-drop-beer
• Axios — “Pa. breweries hold strong in 2024 beer rankings”
  https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/23/pennsylvania-2024-craft-brewery-rankings

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

As the air turns crisp, leaves shift to fiery reds and golds, and pretzels, bratwurst, and lederhosen begin appearing across Pennsylvania, one thing is certain: Oktoberfest season is here. And with it comes a flood of Märzens and Festbiers—those malty, toasty, smooth lagers that define the season.

Pennsylvania, with its deep German brewing roots, doesn’t just celebrate Oktoberfest—it owns it. From Philly to Pittsburgh, Hershey to Pottsville, PA breweries churn out some of the best seasonal lagers you’ll find anywhere in the country. Whether you’re a malt-forward Märzen loyalist or a fan of the lighter, crisp Festbier, the Keystone State has you covered.

So, grab your stein, dust off your dirndl, and let’s dive into the Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pennsylvania (plus a few honorable mentions).

The Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pensnylvania Are….

(See our recent article: Embracing the Season: The Return of Fall Beers)

1. Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager (Hershey, PA)

Tröegs doesn’t do anything halfway, and their Oktoberfest Lager proves it. Brewed with a traditional decoction mash (a rarity in American brewing), this Märzen glows copper in the glass and bursts with notes of caramel, toasted bread, and gentle floral hops. At 6.1% ABV, it’s rich without being heavy, making it dangerously drinkable by the liter.

This one isn’t just a local favorite—it consistently earns national praise as one of the best American Oktoberfest-style lagers brewed today. If you’re hitting Tröegs’ beer hall this fall, a stein of this paired with their pretzels and beer cheese is mandatory.

2. Human Robot Festbier (Philadelphia, PA)

If Tröegs is about tradition-meets-accessibility, Human Robot is about absolute technical precision. Their Festbier, brewed with a double decoction mash and lagered cold and long, is a masterpiece of restraint and balance.

Think: buttered crackers, honey sweetness, and a touch of noble hop bitterness that keeps it endlessly refreshing. Beer geeks have been raving about it for years, and Untappd scores back that up—it’s one of the highest-rated Festbiers in the country.

Pro tip: If you’re in Philly this fall, don’t just drink it—drink it fresh at Human Robot’s biergarten.

3. Victory Festbier (Downingtown, PA)

Victory has been around long enough to be considered a Pennsylvania institution, and their Festbier is a shining example of why. It balances malt depth (think chocolate, caramel, and dried fruit) with an earthy hop character that makes it richer than most Oktoberfests.

Wine Enthusiast gave it a 90-point rating, and for good reason—it’s hearty, bold, and just different enough to stand out from the crowd. If you’re into darker, maltier lagers that still stay drinkable, this is your pick.

4. Boneshire Brew Works Pigtoberfest (Harrisburg, PA)

Harrisburg’s own Boneshire Brew Works has quietly built a reputation for balanced, flavorful lagers, and their Pigtoberfest is no exception. Malty and smooth, with just enough hop bitterness to keep it crisp, this beer captures the essence of the German Märzen style. It’s a perfect companion for bratwurst, pretzels, and festive gatherings.

5. Penn Brewery Oktoberfest (Pittsburgh, PA)

Over in the Steel City, Penn Brewery has been flying the German beer flag for decades. Their Oktoberfest has the pedigree to prove it, too—it’s a Great American Beer Festival medal winner.

Brewed with caramel and roasted malts, it’s a clean, medium-bodied lager that leans traditional. At 5.5% ABV, it’s smooth, approachable, and exactly the kind of beer you want in your stein while polka bands play and sausages hit the grill.

Honorable Mentions 🍂

Pennsylvania has so many stellar Oktoberfests, narrowing it to just five is almost unfair. A few more worth tracking down this fall:

• Love City Brewing – Love Fest (Philadelphia): Weyermann malts give it a nutty, bready character with a kiss of caramel sweetness.

• Neshaminy Creek – Creekfestbier (Croydon): Toasty, crisp, and bone-dry—a Festbier lover’s dream.

• Sly Fox Brewing – Oktoberfest Lager (Malvern): Caramel and spice on the nose, crisp and malty on the palate. A yearly favorite.

• Yuengling Oktoberfest (Pottsville, PA): Crisp large scale Oktoberfest

Final Thoughts

Oktoberfest season in Pennsylvania is something special. Between its rich German-American brewing heritage and its thriving modern craft beer scene, the state produces lagers that stand toe-to-toe with the best from Munich.

Whether you’re looking for tradition (Tröegs, Penn), precision (Human Robot), wide availability (Yuengling), or malt-forward richness (Victory), there’s an Oktoberfest beer here for you.

So, this September and October, skip the pumpkin spice latte and raise a stein of copper-colored lager instead. Prost!

See More Articles About Fall and Pumpkin Beers

• Fall Beers
• Beer Review: Hocktoberfest
• It’s Pumpkin Time! (Grandma SueAnn and Amy Review Zombies and Double Zombies are People Too and Braaaiins!)
• Pumpkin Patch Noir – Chocolate Pumpkin Stout (Homebrew Recipe)
• Grandma SueAnn Helps Review More Pumpkin Beers: 2 out of 3 Ain’t So Bad
• Pumpkin Beer Review with Grandma SueAnn – Abomination Brewing: Forbidden Pumpkin, Greater Good Brewing: Giant Pumpkin, and Pizza Boy Brewing: Sunny Side Up Double Coffee Pumpkin
• Beer Review: Pumpkin Stout (Newfangled Brew Works)
• Grandma SueAnn and More Beer: Beer Reviews of: Zaktoberfest (KCBC – Kings County Brewers Collective) and Devious Imperial Pumpkin (Fegley Brew Works)
• Master of Pumpkins, Cupcakes, Cookies, and Bacon Cheeseburgers
• Beer Review: How Now Brown Cow (With Pumpkin Spice) (Aslin Beer Co)
• LAKEFRONT RELEASES LATEST BREWERS’ RESERVE: IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ALE
• Embracing the Season: The Return of Fall Beers

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

As August gives way to September, a familiar rhythm takes hold in the craft beer world. Shelves start filling with copper-colored bottles, pumpkin-spiced cans, and Märzens brewed for Oktoberfest. Whether you love them or groan at their arrival, fall beers signal one of the most exciting times of year for drinkers and brewers alike.

(See Amy’s column: Fall Beers)

Embracing the Fall Season: The Return of Fall Beers

The Tradition of Märzen and Oktoberfest

Before pumpkin ales ever hit the scene, autumn belonged to the Märzen. Originating in Bavaria, Märzen was traditionally brewed in March and lagered cool over the summer, ready to drink as the leaves began to turn. The style is smooth, malty, and built for steins and beer halls. Today, American breweries continue that tradition, putting their own spins on Oktoberfest lagers — from classic amber-hued versions to hoppier, modern takes.

The Pumpkin Beer Debate

Pumpkin beer remains one of the most divisive styles in craft beer. Some drinkers eagerly wait all year for the first taste of nutmeg, cinnamon, and roasted pumpkin in their pint glass. Others roll their eyes at what they see as gimmicky or over-saturated. But whether you’re team pumpkin or not, it’s impossible to deny its place in American fall beer culture. Breweries from Dogfish Head to Southern Tier — and countless smaller locals — have carved out seasonal favorites that pack taprooms every year.

Beyond Pumpkin: Other Fall Favorites

The fall season also brings a wave of creative limited releases. Brown ales, wet-hop IPAs (brewed with freshly harvested hops), and stronger stouts start making their seasonal appearances. Many brewers use the cooler months to experiment with barrel-aged versions of their beers, teasing drinkers with limited bottle drops and taproom-only specialties.

Pennsylvania Fall Beer Highlights

Here in Pennsylvania, we’re spoiled for choice. A few fall standouts to keep an eye out for this season:

• Tröegs Brewing – Master of Pumpkins (Pumpkin Ale brewed with local PA pumpkins and pie spices)

• Victory Brewing – Festbier (A clean, malt-forward Oktoberfest lager)

• Sterling Pig – Hocktoberfest (A smooth Märzen that hits the malt/hop balance just right)

• Wyndridge Farm – Pumpkin Cider (Not beer, but worth mentioning — crisp and autumn-ready)

Raising a Glass to the Season

Love them or not, fall beers embody the cozy, communal spirit of the season. They’re about more than just flavors — they’re about bonfires, football games, festivals, and gathering together as the weather cools. Whether you’re cracking open a can of hazy IPA fresh from the hop harvest or settling into a Märzen at your local Oktoberfest celebration, fall is the perfect excuse to slow down, savor, and sip something seasonal.

So, what’s in your glass this autumn?

See More Articles About Fall and Pumpkin Beers

• Fall Beers
• Beer Review: Hocktoberfest
• It’s Pumpkin Time! (Grandma SueAnn and Amy Review Zombies and Double Zombies are People Too and Braaaiins!)
• Pumpkin Patch Noir – Chocolate Pumpkin Stout (Homebrew Recipe)
• Grandma SueAnn Helps Review More Pumpkin Beers: 2 out of 3 Ain’t So Bad
• Pumpkin Beer Review with Grandma SueAnn – Abomination Brewing: Forbidden Pumpkin, Greater Good Brewing: Giant Pumpkin, and Pizza Boy Brewing: Sunny Side Up Double Coffee Pumpkin
• Beer Review: Pumpkin Stout (Newfangled Brew Works)
• Grandma SueAnn and More Beer: Beer Reviews of: Zaktoberfest (KCBC – Kings County Brewers Collective) and Devious Imperial Pumpkin (Fegley Brew Works)
• Master of Pumpkins, Cupcakes, Cookies, and Bacon Cheeseburgers
• Beer Review: How Now Brown Cow (With Pumpkin Spice) (Aslin Beer Co)
• LAKEFRONT RELEASES LATEST BREWERS’ RESERVE: IMPERIAL PUMPKIN ALE

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We are also now on BlueSky as well, so make sure to check us out there also. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

We also now have a SLACK channel – which acts as a hybrid chat room, message board, Reddit style; workspace and posting area for us. You can hang out with us there and chat about all kinds of things – not just beer, but “off topic” things like movies, TV, books, podcasts, hiking, sports, and more! Join us at: The Beer Thrillers on SLACK.

We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written. The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of May 2025.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

The summer heat always seems to bring with it a certain craving. Something cold. Something crisp. Something easy-drinking but still flavorful enough to be worth your time. For years that spot has been filled by kölsches, pilsners, and the endless tide of hazy IPAs. But this summer—and possibly the next big wave in craft beer—American breweries are looking East for inspiration.

The newest darling in brewhouses across the country? Japanese-style rice lagers.

Craft Brewers Are All In On Japanese Rice Lagers

What Is a Japanese Rice Lager?

For those unfamiliar, a Japanese rice lager is exactly what it sounds like: a lager brewed with rice in the grain bill. The rice lightens the body, smooths out the flavor, and creates an exceptionally crisp finish. Think of it as the beer equivalent of clean lines and minimalist design—subtle, refreshing, and deceptively simple.

Unlike the heavy malt sweetness of some lagers, or the hop assault of many IPAs, rice lagers aim for balance. They don’t shout, they whisper—and in that restraint is where they shine.

Why Now?

According to a recent Forbes piece (link below), breweries big and small are leaning into this style because it fits the current beer climate perfectly:

1. Sessionable & Light – At a time when many drinkers are shying away from 9% triple IPAs and pastry stouts that drink like desserts, a light lager is refreshing in more ways than one.

2. Broad Appeal – The approachable profile means both hardcore beer nerds and casual drinkers can enjoy it side by side.

3. Economic Sense – With the industry feeling the pinch from rising ingredient costs, rice lagers provide a cost-effective option that still feels premium.

4. Something Different – After a decade-plus of IPA dominance, many beer fans are looking for the next thing.

It’s no surprise breweries are jumping in. This style scratches all the right itches: familiar yet exotic, light but still crafted with care, drinkable without being boring.

Breweries Embracing the Trend

Walk into your favorite local taproom and you might already see a rice lager pouring—or at least announced on a chalkboard as “coming soon.” Some are going traditional, aiming for clean precision. Others are riffing with citrus additions, dry-hopping, or pairing the style with regional ingredients.

It reminds me of the early days of the hazy IPA craze. First came the traditional forms, then came the wild experimentation. Don’t be surprised if by next summer you’re drinking a dry-hopped jasmine rice lager with lime zest.

For the Drinkers

For us, the ones sitting on patios, at breweries, or around fire pits with friends—the rise of rice lagers is a win. It means we have a new option when we want something lighter but still crafted with intent. It’s a style that doesn’t demand your full attention, but rewards you when you give it.

Pair it with seafood, with sushi, with grilled vegetables, with barbecue—it plays well with nearly anything. Or just sip one on its own, fresh from the tap, condensation sliding down the glass, and feel the summer slow down for a moment.

Final Thoughts

Every few years, craft beer shifts. We’ve seen it before: the rise of barrel-aging, the dominance of IPAs, the boom of fruited sours. Now, rice lagers might be the next quiet revolution.

Will they ever topple the IPA empire? Probably not. But will they carve out a solid, refreshing space on tap lists across the country? Absolutely.

So the next time you’re out, skip the haze for a night. Order up a rice lager. Taste what’s happening in craft beer right now.

And who knows? Maybe we’ll look back and say 2025 was the year of the rice lager.

Cheers! 🍻

— B. Kline

Sources and Further Reading:

• Forbes: Craft Breweries Are All In On Japanese Rice Lagers

• WCPO: Beer price mystery—why prices are up for some beers but not others

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