Devils Backbone Vienna Lager
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Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with toasted bread and light caramel malt, with a subtle earthy hop note underneath. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with flavors of biscuit, toffee, and a gentle nuttiness that keeps things grounded without tipping into sweetness. The hop bitterness is restrained — enough to balance but not to assert itself. The finish is clean and dry, with the malt character lingering just long enough to remind you it was there.
About the Brewery
Devils Backbone is based in Roseland, Virginia, founded in 2008, and has become one of the most decorated craft breweries in the Southeast. They built their reputation largely on lager craftsmanship at a time when most American craft breweries were chasing hop-forward ales, which made them stand out early. Their Vienna Lager has been a flagship and award-winner, and the brewery was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2016, a move that drew attention in the craft beer community.
Food Pairings
Roasted chicken pairs naturally because the beer's toasty malt mirrors the browned skin without competing with the meat. A bratwurst or grilled pork sausage echoes the Central European origins of the style and handles the fat well. Aged gouda or a mild cheddar plays off the nutty, caramel malt notes in a complementary way. Fish tacos work because the dry finish cuts through the richness of fried fish without overwhelming lighter toppings. Soft pretzels with mustard are a near-perfect match — the bread flavor in the beer and the bread itself read as one cohesive thing.
Style Guide
Vienna lager was developed in Austria in the mid-1800s, most famously by brewer Anton Dreher, and it defined a new category built around amber malt that delivered toasty, biscuity character without the heaviness of darker German styles. It fell out of widespread production in Europe but was preserved and popularized in Mexico, where immigrant brewers kept the tradition alive — which is why Mexican amber lagers still reflect this lineage. Compared to a Märzen or Oktoberfest, Vienna lager is slightly lighter in body and less malt-forward; compared to a pale lager, it carries noticeably more malt complexity and color. ABV typically runs in the 4.5–5.5% range.