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Free State Lager

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Easy-drinking, clean and crisp, with a hint of hop character from citrusy Comet and German Saphir hops over an all-malt grist. This style of lager has been a fixture at local watering holes since the repeal of Prohibition, and Free State gives it an upgrade here: a flagship from the first legal brewery in Kansas in over 100 years.

ABV
5.0%
Bitterness
Mild15 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
cleancitrusymalty
clean
citrusy
malty
hoppy
bready
Aroma
The nose opens with crisp citrus notes—lemon zest and lime—from the Comet and Saphir hops, followed by a soft, clean malt backbone.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Free State Lager

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucency. The head forms quickly and persists with fine, tight bubbles, leaving delicate lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is brisk and even throughout, lending the beer a lively, inviting presence.

pale goldenclear and brightpersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with crisp citrus notes—lemon zest and lime—from the Comet and Saphir hops, followed by a soft, clean malt backbone. There is no estery yeast character; instead, the aromatic profile remains understated and refreshing, with a subtle bready undertone that grounds the composition.

citrus zestnoble hopsclean maltsubtle bread

◐ Taste

The palate is lean and crisp on entry, with a light malt sweetness that feels balanced rather than cloying. Mid-palate shows gentle hoppy bitterness (15 IBU) integrated seamlessly with the all-malt grist, neither overwhelming nor absent. The finish is clean and smooth, with a trace of bready character that provides just enough complexity to sustain interest.

crisp entrybalanced bitternesssmooth maltlight and dry

◑ Finish

The finish is short to medium in length, clean and dry without harshness. A faint citrus and grain lingering suggests the beer's all-malt construction without demanding attention.

clean dry finishlight aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C. Carbonation and crispness are the main event — cold preserves both.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store cold and drink fresh. Lagers are at their crispest within 3–4 months.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Free State Lager

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About Pale Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Lager?

Euro Pale Lagers are clean, refreshing lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 10–25. Soft malt sweetness, light hop bitterness and high carbonation make them supremely drinkable.

Finding a similar Pale Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same crisp, clean, smooth-drinking character as Free State Lager will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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