Beer Review: Bell's Lager of the Lakes

Name: Lager of the Lakes
Brewery: Bell's Brewing, Inc.
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Variety: Pilsener
ABV: 4.5%
Price: <$10 for a six pack

Ah, the good ol' lager. The preferred alcoholic drink of most Americans, but seemingly something of a rarity for most craft brewing operations. Why this is the case is anyone's guess, though I suspect it has something to do with the lager market already cornered by the big brewing boys. I mean, why sell a product that virtually every other competitor on the market offers, knowwutimsayin?

And I enjoy a good lager every now and then, as I'm sure most beer fans do. However, there are a lot of dreadful lagers out there, and a lot of lazy breweries that make lots of money of them. Is Bell's Lager of the Lakes one of them?

Well, it's Bell's, so hopefully not! (Sorry I don't have a second picture here; my camera decided to throw a big ol' fit.) Anyhoo, the beer pours a clear, golden-yellow hue with a thin white head that dissipates quickly. The scent is crisp and a little spicy. The beer has a fairly thick body for a lager, and the flavor is malty and creamy with a crisp, refreshing finish.

Bell's certainly has more interesting and complex offerings than this, but I don't think that's a good reason to look down on Lager of the Lakes. It's ideal for a hot summer day or a spicy, salty plate of cheap food. Incidentally, it went great with the nachos I made last week. It's a good introductory beer for people unfamiliar with their local brewery offerings. Bring a cooler full of this and Oberon to a summer cookout and you'll be the hit of the party.

Rating: 7/10 - A simple but enjoyable lager custom-built for those 85-degree plus days.