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Powder Hound

Smithers Brewing Company
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🌍 Canada · Vienna Lager · One of 25 Vienna Lagers in hopIQ

A copper-coloured lager in the Vienna tradition, released each March alongside a fundraiser for the regional animal shelter. The malt leads with toasted bread, biscuit and a light caramel sweetness, and a restrained herbal hop bitterness closes in behind it. The body is medium and the finish drier than the malt profile suggests, which is what keeps the beer from turning heavy.

ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber11
See all Vienna Lager alternatives →

AWARDS

Bronze · 2024
Canada Beer Cup
European Amber Beer
Bronze — Canada Beer Cup (European Amber Beer)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp mouthfeel.

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Vienna Lager.
Hop character
herbal
Malt character
toasty
bready
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Powder Hound

Appearance

A bright copper hue characteristic of the Vienna tradition, presenting excellent clarity and a well-formed head with distinct lacing. The carbonation level is moderate and steady, creating a refined visual presence in the glass.

coppercleargood head retentionmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with toasted grain and biscuit notes, supported by light caramel undertones that speak to careful Malz selection. Behind the malt sits a gentle herbal hop character that frames without overwhelming the overall aromatic profile.

toasted grainbiscuitlight caramelherbal hops

Taste

The palate opens with substantial toasted bread and malty sweetness, medium in body and well-integrated. A restrained herbal bitterness enters mid-palate and closes the flavor arc, preventing any perception of heaviness despite the malt-forward entry.

toasty-maltyherbal bitternessmedium bodybalanced

Finish

The finish transitions notably dry, with hop bitterness lingering longer than the initial sweetness might suggest. Clean and crisp on the palate, without residual cloying character.

dry finishcrispclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Powder Hound

Serve at 7–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Powder Hound

About Vienna Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Vienna Lager?

Vienna 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 Vienna Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same toasty, dry, herbal character as Powder Hound will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Vienna Lagers in hopIQ

Explore all Vienna Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Canada beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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