Celebrating Beers Around the World on International Beer Day

The first Friday in August is International Beer Day which this year, in 2021, happens to be August 6! We decided to celebrate by recognizing the internationally inspired beers from around the world that can be found on our Toast the Coast 4 Taps 4 Cities Trail. Many styles of beer from the pilsner to the lager have international origins but with the rise in craft breweries, you can enjoy these brews right here in coastal Virginia.

Germany

Pilsner

The pilsner takes its name from the Bohemian city of Pilsen and was first produced in 1842 by the Bavarian brewer, Josef Groll. The pilsner now has unique regional styles in Germany, Czech, and the USA. You can find the German-style Pilsner at St. George’s Brewing Co. and Oozlefinch Beers & Blending.

Märzen

While the pilsner is more light-bodied, the märzen is a German lager that has a medium-to-full body ranging from pale to dark brown. This beer style is the one that is typically served at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. You can find märzen beers at St. George’s Brewing Co., Alewerks, and Virginia Beer Co.

Hefeweizen

As a wheat beer, the hefeweizen has a large proportion of wheat used in its brewing when compared to most beers that are heavier on the malted barley. Hefeweizen typically has a pale but not see-through coloration to it. Fun fact: by German law, these beers must be fermented using a “top-fermenting” yeast. You can find some hefeweizen at 1865 Brewing Co., Brass Cannon Brewing, Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, St. George’s Brewing Co., Tradition Brewing Co., and Wharf Hill Brewing Co.

Kölsch

Kölsch is a beer style originating in…yes…Cologne, Germany. With a more see-through and light brown coloration, this type of beer has more of that “classic beer” look to it. It is fermented in warm temperatures and then cooled like the more traditional lager. In Germany tradition, they are typicall served in a tall cylindrical glass. You don’t have to travel to Cologne, Germany when you can head to Capstan Brewing Co., Tradition Brewing Co., or The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery for your Kölsch needs.

England

Porter

One of the darkest and heaviest beers you can have, the porter was first brewed in London, England, with its name originating from street and river porters (people who carry cargo). The porter became very popular and was the first beer style to be brewed around the world, including right here in Virginia. You can find English-style porters at St. George’s Brewing Co. but plenty of porters can be found throughout the trail.

India Pale Ale

A very hoppy beer high on the bitterness scale, this version of the pale ale is not Indian, it’s actually English! This style gets its name from its popularity as an export to India. But its popularity would not end there. The IPA is so popular that you find some version of it at every craft brewery on our trail!

Ireland

Stout

Stouts originated in London, England, and the differences between it and the porter are a bit fuzzy but one thing is for sure, stouts have a very recognizable black coloration. Large quantities were imported to Ireland and there, one of the most popular stouts ever brewed was made, the Guinness Irish Stout. An Irish-style stout can be found at the Amber Ox Public House and Precarious Beer Hall.

Red Ale

With a unique malty taste and a very unique coloration, the Irish Red Ale is a very balanced beer in the middle of a lager and a stout. Like Guinness, the most popular red ale, especially around St. Patrick’s Day, is the Killian’s Irish Red. You can find Newport News’ own Irish red at Tradition Brewing Co.

Scotland

Scotch Ale

No, it’s not served neat or on the rocks, the scotch ale have a unique flavor that is smoky and strong. They were first brewed in Edinburg, Scotland in the 1800s. The Wee Heavy version, that can be found at Brass Cannon Brewing Co. is a bit higher on the alcohol content but can also be a tad sweeter.

Mexico

Mexican Lager

No, it’s not just Corona, the Mexican lager is a style brewed with maize that is light-colored and is very refreshing on a hot day. Add a lime and you have the perfect summer drink. Outside of the Mexican lagers you’re probably familiar with, you can find a Mexican lager at The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery.

Japan

Japanese Rice Lager

Like the Mexican lager, the Japanese rice lager takes a style we’re all familiar with and adds rice as an ingredient. Also like the Mexican lager, it is crisp and great for the hot summer weather. You can find this Japanese-inspired beer at Tradition Brewing Co. with the Dentó Japanese-Style Rice Lager.

Of course, this is certainly not all of the beers that can be found on the trail and there’s even American ales that were first brewed here! Check all of the breweries on our trail for more!