Bell's Lager of the Lakes
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Tasting Notes
Lager of the Lakes pours clean with a restrained grain sweetness and a faint floral, slightly grassy hop note on the nose. The flavor is light and balanced — soft malt, a touch of corn-like sweetness, and a mild bitterness that keeps things honest without demanding attention. Body is lean but not watery, with a dry, fairly neutral finish. It's a well-executed American lager that doesn't overreach.
About the Brewery
Bell's is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, founded by Larry Bell in 1985, making it one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. The brewery built its reputation on aggressively hoppy and roasty ales — Two Hearted Ale and Kalamazoo Stout are flagship examples — and has long been a cornerstone of the Great Lakes brewing scene. Bell's was acquired by Australian brewer Lion in 2021, though it continues to operate under its own identity.
Food Pairings
Lager of the Lakes works well alongside grilled bratwurst because the mild malt mirrors the savory pork fat without competing with it. Fish tacos are a natural match — the dry finish cuts through fried batter and creamy slaw. A simple burger with yellow mustard and pickles lets the beer's restrained bitterness do real work as a palate reset. Salty snacks like pretzels or kettle chips play off the slight sweetness in the malt, and light pasta salads with vinaigrette won't overwhelm what the beer brings to the table.
Style Guide
American lager is a lighter, highly attenuated version of the broader lager family, defined by subtle malt character, low-to-moderate hop bitterness, and a clean, dry finish. The style developed in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shaped in part by the use of adjuncts like corn or rice alongside barley malt — ingredients that lighten body and fermentable character. It sits apart from German pilsners, which typically show more pronounced hop presence and a crisper mineral quality, and from Vienna or Munich lagers, which carry noticeably richer malt flavor. Craft interpretations like this one tend to clean up the adjunct load while staying true to the approachable, low-drama character of the style.