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Wayfinder Sparkling Lager

Wayfinder Beer
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🌍 United States · Strong Lager · One of 28 Strong Lagers in hopIQ

Sparkling Lager was first brewed to mark Wayfinder's 666th batch, which explains its 6.66 percent strength. It is a brilliantly clear, golden pale lager with high carbonation and a lasting white head. The nose shows delicate floral hops, star fruit and pear over bready, lightly doughy malt, with touches of lemon and fresh grass. The body is medium and creamy for its strength, and a snappy, dry finish keeps it easy to drink.

ABV
6.7%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
pale gold4

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Oregon Beer Awards
Strong Beers
Gold · 2025
Oregon Beer Awards
★Gold — Oregon Beer Awards (Strong Beers)
★Gold — Oregon Beer Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

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

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Strong Lager.
No character signal.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Wayfinder Sparkling Lager

◎ Appearance

Brilliant golden pale color with excellent clarity and a pristine, lasting white head. The beer displays vigorous carbonation that creates fine, persistent bubbles throughout the glass. Head retention is strong, with defined Schaumkleiden clinging to the glass walls.

brilliant claritygolden palepersistent white headhigh carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose presents delicate noble hop character with floral and herbal notes alongside stone fruit aromatics—star fruit and pear are prominent. Beneath this sits a clean, slightly doughy malt foundation with light bread notes, accented by subtle lemon zest and fresh grass, creating an inviting and balanced bouquet.

delicate floralsstone fruitbready maltfresh grass

◐ Taste

The palate enters clean and crisp with medium body that feels creamy and supple despite the elevated alcohol content. Malt character is restrained and slightly doughy, allowing noble hop bitterness and citrus notes to define the mid-palate. The interplay of gentle sweetness and restrained bitterness maintains balance throughout.

medium bodycreamy texturenoble hop bitternesslemon citrus

◑ Finish

The finish is notably snappy and dry, shedding residual sweetness quickly and cleanly. The beer's high carbonation and restrained aftertaste make it remarkably easy to drink despite its strength.

dry finishcleaneasy-drinking
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Wayfinder Sparkling Lager

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°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 Wayfinder Sparkling Lager

About Strong Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Lager?

Strong 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 Strong Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same flavor character as Wayfinder Sparkling Lager will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Strong Lagers in hopIQ

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