hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Old German

Tap to rate

Pale, bready malts lead, with a faint grain aroma. Old German is an easy-drinking lager at 4.2 % ABV, built on Herman's original family recipe and shared at an honest price. It comes from Pittsburgh Brewing Company, whose Iron City Beer was established in 1861 in the heart of Pittsburgh and which was formed in 1899 from 21 local breweries.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Mild
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
breadymaltyclean
bready
malty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with soft, bready malt character reminiscent of fresh grain and light toast.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old German

◎ Appearance

Old German presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head forms with modest density and dissipates relatively quickly, leaving thin streaks of lacing along the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and even throughout.

pale goldenclearlight foamwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with soft, bready malt character reminiscent of fresh grain and light toast. A faint herbaceous note emerges beneath, suggesting traditional noble hop varieties used sparingly. The overall aromatic profile remains restrained and understated, inviting rather than assertive.

bready maltsgrainsubtle hopclean

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with malt sweetness establishing the foundation without heaviness. Mid-palate develops a light, grainy character with gentle breadiness that feels balanced and drinkable. Bitterness remains minimal at 12 IBU, allowing malt and a whisper of grassy hop to finish clean on the palate.

smooth maltlight-bodiedlow bitternesscrisp grain

◑ Finish

The finish is brief and clean, fading quickly into a dry, refreshing aftertaste. No lingering sweetness or astringency remains.

dryrefreshing
72
hopIQ score
Aroma
71
Taste
73
Appearance
75
Finish
71
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

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

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Old German

More from Pittsburgh Brewing Company

Blueberry Wheat
Blueberry Wheat
Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Coffee Porter
Coffee Porter
Coffee Porter
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Double Chocolate Bock
Evil Eye
Evil Eye
American IPA
7.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Extra Pittsburgh Stout
Extra Pittsburgh Stout
Stout
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Hefeweizen
Hefeweizen
Hefeweizen
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Herman's Festbier
Hounds Pale Ale
Hounds Pale Ale
Pale Ale
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About American Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Lager?

American Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Lager

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →