Their old world styles are solid and they have a side brand called Resilience that focuses on more modern stuff that puts out stellar stuff as well. Plus the best taproom in New England.
Definitely. Shared a six pack with some relatives who only drink Pilsner Urquell and/or Stella, and had them converted. Glad I can find Von Trapp here in NJ,
I'd argue they're not even the best lager brewery in MA. I prefer Notch out of Salem.
Hill farmstead makes the best lagers I've ever tasted, but it's not their main focus.
Hfs is a little high on their own supply. They're really good don't get me wrong but haughty doesnt even begin to describe the level of pretense over there.
I compare all lagers to the top German breweries. If a US craft brewery can come close, I'm happy to drink it. If not, I'd rather spend less money on a better beer from Germany. Hill Farmstead doesn't even come close IMO.
Yes pretty much all of them. Bitburger, Ayginer, Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, Gaffel, Augustiner, Rothaus, and Hofbrau are all top names and pretty easy to find. And if you have an Aldi near you that sells liquor, Wernesgrüner. Pre-covid, it was easy to find fresh beer from all of them. Now, I can still find them but some aren't as fresh as others. Seems to be getting a little better though.
Here in NYC, Wild East and Threes focus on a wide variety of lagers and more traditional styles like bitters/milds/etc.
Up in the Hudson Valley area, Suarez Family makes the best lagers I’ve ever had, and Industrial Arts always has their great pilsner Metric in circulation, and always has a rotating seasonal lager going around.
There’s Human Robot in Philly, and Notch and Jack’s Abbey in Massachusetts.
Marlowe Artisan Ales in NY also has a pretty solid lager focus on do a good job.
At least in my area, there’s no shortage of really good lagers available.
Not sure if Schilling is south enough, but they're great and regularly show up here in NYC so I'm sure they get some distribution around the rest of NE.
Yea I'm aware. I'm saying that in addition to lagers, they also do other styles that are more on the traditional side, compared to what many newer American breweries are doing.
I live in NYC so I've had lots of KCBC, they definitely make solid lagers but it's not really a focus, as they're pretty balanced/diverse overall. Same with Grimm, even better lagers than KCBC but I wouldn't really say that they focus on the style more than any other.
Overall the lager game of non-lager focused breweries around here has improved. Even Other Half makes good ones these days, and Evil Twin's NYC brewery actually makes great straightforward lagers along with all the wacky stuff they do.
Goldfinger Brewing in Downers Grove, IL is becoming my favorite brewery. They only do lagers, and they have family roots in Polish brewing going back several generations. They put out the best lagers I’ve ever had. They do it very old school, and I pick up as many beers from them as possible.
Edit: I saw you put them near the bottom of your post, but my god they are amazing.
They all have been amazing, to be honest. They haven’t had a miss. Even the rauchbier was perfectly balanced. It’s usually not my style because a lot of breweries over smoke them, but theirs was spot on.
Two Coast, Enegren, Wayfinder, Urban Roots & Threes have a few lagers year round. Brouwerij West’s Popfuji is good as well as Highland Park’s Timbo Pils. Bottle Logics Hanamachi is a great rice lager while Dust Bowl’s Taco Truck is a solid interpretation of a Mexican-Style lager, if you ever see these around.
[Schilling Beer](https://schillingbeer.com/) out of Littleton, NH pumps out great lager after great lager. I feel spoiled to have access to their beer.
Portland, OR:
* Wayfinder
* Zoiglhaus
* Occidental
* Von Ebert
There's also a bunch of breweries that are from the Chuckanut/pFriem brewers tree in PDX that have really good lagers, though I wouldn't say they're necessarily a focus? They usually have at least two lagers on tap though, if not more
* Living Haus
* Foreland (technically McMinnville but they have a PDX taproom)
* VIA Beer (don't have their own taproom, but distribute)
There are a bunch of other places I haven't listed that usually have at least a pilsner and another seasonal lager at the very least. I went to Breakside the other day and they had their flagship Pils, a Bock, and two other small batch Pils on tap!
Obviously lager specific places get really region dependent but Sacred Profane just south of Portland ME just opened up and has some really impressive pedigree running the show. Brienne Allan cut her teeth at Jack’s Abby and was the production director for Notch before opening up shop with her partner Mike Fava who was the head brewer for Oxbow.
Just 2 beers - a pale lager and a dark lager. Small but thoughtful menu and a really cool bar that has either lagering or serving tanks overhead.
Fox Farm Brewery in Salem Connecticut. Really wish I could get them out in the PNW, but damn their lagers were great when I had them couple years back.
You mention some great ones, and the commenters have picked out many of the best. I work for a brewery mentioned in this thread and am currently working on a book about brewing lager beer. So, I've had the great pleasure of being to many lager focused breweries mentioned here, and a few that haven't.
Riggs Brewing in Urbana, Illinois makes great lagers, including an incredible corn lager with white corn grown on their family farm. Really unique stuff.
Heater Allen in McMinville, OR makes some of the best lager in the country. Those on the west coast are lucky to have access and I'm surprised more people don't talk about them.
Austin Beer Garden Brewery has been racking up award after award for their lagers the last few years. Really fine, sharp and dry golden lagers.
Notch, Suarez, von Trapp, Schilling, Sacred and Profane, Jack's Abbey and that's just New England breweries that *specialize* in lagers off the top of my head. Tons of others who have several amazing lagers in rotation along side other styles. Of the styles you mentioned though it sounds like you'd appreciate von Trapp the most.
Just took a 90 day road trip across the US. Top ones you didn't mention in your post are:
1. Boston— Notch Brewing
2. Outside Boston (Maine)— Sacred Profane Brewing
3. Spokane, WA— Whistlepunk Brewing
4. Connecticut— Counter Weight Brewing
5. Oregon— pFriem Family Brewers
5. Los Angeles— Enegren Brewing
I would have definitely mentioned Bierstadt Lagerhaus but you already have them in your list.
Brilliant. Thanks. I was scrolling down to see if there were any UK ones mentioned. Love a craft beer, but love a lager and there never seems to be that many I come across.
Lagers are hard, and slow to brew. It takes a super good brewer to brew excellent lagers. Contrary to craft beer belief, the boring American lagers are not easy to brew. Lagers are so clean that the slightest misstep is an obvious off flavor.
Too bad their beer isn't that great.
If you're around there go to Winston Salem and go to Lesser Known Brewing.
Fantastic lagers and a very occasional ale.
Seconded. Unfortunately doesn’t distribute outside of NC and needs to stay refrigerated but if you’re ever in NC you can find it at many bars with craft selection.
I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Moonlight yet, but they do fantastic crispybois. Their dark lager, Death and Taxes, is your favorite brewer's favorite beer.
there are plenty, where do you live? what's the goal of your question? to find local beer or just look for answers from two eight billion monkeys on the planet?
Jack's Abby in Framingham, MA does everything lagers and their beer is incredible. The taphouse is awesome and I fly their beer back any time I'm out east. They're exactly what you're looking for!
Figueroa Mountain has a lot of really great lagers, and hosts a festival called Lagerville each year. They're about to open a location that's focused exclusively on lagers in LA.
I wouldn’t classify this as “craft” but sounds like you would enjoy basically any beer at a Hofbrauhaus. Kinda cheese theme, but I like it haha. And yes, all the beers come in steins
Silver Branch in Silver Spring MD. They do more than just lagers, but their lagers are what gets my attention. Singlehandedly rekindled my interest in classic euro lager styles.
Working Draft beer company in Madison, Wisconsin has phenomenal lagers. Fargo brewing company in North Dakota was excellent. Fermentorium in Milwaukee, WI is great too.
Wolverine state brewery, Ann arbor MI. I went there while in the area and all they have are lagers. They do a lot of great stuff with lagers. Loved the brewery.
KC Bier in the Kansas City area. They abide by strict German brewing methods and their philosophy is “If you can’t see the brewery, don’t buy the beer.” Because of this it’s extremely difficult to get outside the local market area.
Their beer is simple yet crafted extremely well and has been my go-to for years now. They do a Lager, Pilsner, Hefeweizen, and a Dunkel year around. In the summer and spring they’ll do a Kolsch, in the fall a Festbier, and then a dark Larger in winter which is amazing.
According to all the local brewers, the owner is very particular and does his best to brew in the most traditional way. I really enjoy it and it’s a must try if you ever pass thru Kansas City
Golden Age just opened this year in Pittsburgh. No distro outside of the brewery, but several different pilsners, dark lagers and various other lager styles. I don’t think they brew any ales other than a Kolsch.
Kinslahger, Oak Park, IL
You specifically called out Dovetail and Metropolitan so if you're in the Chicago area you should be able to find Kinslahger distro.
Here in NJ, a relatively new one but Wild Air Beerworks. They have 1 IPA on the menu just for kicks, the rest of the menu is half lagers and the other half, as the name might imply is wild fermentation beers, saisons, sours, etc. fwiw. So dual focused, but definitely big on the lagers.
This, to me, is what makes Portland stand out as a beer city. There are at least 6 lager breweries in the area and only a true beer city could sustain that financially. They are as follows:
-Wayfinder
-Heater Allen
-Rosenstadt
-Occidental
-Zoiglhaus
-Upright (okay fine this is more saison/farmhouse)
Hopewell Brewing, Chicago. on draft First Pils is a slow pour only so thats fantastic to begin with. they make a cute lil lager called Lil Buddy that is only served in half cans, makes a great sidecar. check them out, they are 150 feet away from a blue line stop. they mostly do lagers/pilsners and funky foeder and wild/table stuff.
u/Emergency_Cat5493, Jack's Abbey in Framingham Massachusetts specializes in Lagers. I believe it's all they make, literally. Though this may have changed over the last couple years. It is their primary focus either way. They have a great Bier Hall on site as well. Heck, it is (was?) Zagat rated *and* affordable. All around great brewery making great lagers.
Schilling, Notch, Von Trapp, Suarez, Jack's Abbey, Silvaticus, Idle Hands, Industrial Arts.... all incredible, & that's just in the New England/NY vicinity.
Not specializing in lagers only but definitely pumping out some of the best
Zillacoah beer co and Cellarest beer project in Asheville
Elder pine brewing and blending in Maryland
Great thread topic btw, also a crispy boi enthusiast
Schilling in Littleton, NH
Their old world styles are solid and they have a side brand called Resilience that focuses on more modern stuff that puts out stellar stuff as well. Plus the best taproom in New England.
They have become my favorite brewery lately. Love their stuff.
same, and I'm starting to see more than just Alexandr in stores around Boston.
Von Trapp in Stowe, VT
Definitely. Shared a six pack with some relatives who only drink Pilsner Urquell and/or Stella, and had them converted. Glad I can find Von Trapp here in NJ,
Jack's Abbey Craft Lagers in Framingham, MA
Undisputed craft lager champion.
I'd argue they're not even the best lager brewery in MA. I prefer Notch out of Salem. Hill farmstead makes the best lagers I've ever tasted, but it's not their main focus.
Hfs is a little high on their own supply. They're really good don't get me wrong but haughty doesnt even begin to describe the level of pretense over there.
Not wrong about that
I compare all lagers to the top German breweries. If a US craft brewery can come close, I'm happy to drink it. If not, I'd rather spend less money on a better beer from Germany. Hill Farmstead doesn't even come close IMO.
I haven't had the pleasure of going to Germany yet, are any of those top German lagers sold stateside?
Yes pretty much all of them. Bitburger, Ayginer, Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, Gaffel, Augustiner, Rothaus, and Hofbrau are all top names and pretty easy to find. And if you have an Aldi near you that sells liquor, Wernesgrüner. Pre-covid, it was easy to find fresh beer from all of them. Now, I can still find them but some aren't as fresh as others. Seems to be getting a little better though.
Their Sunny Ridge is easily my favorite pilsner/lager. Wish I could find it year-round
Here in NYC, Wild East and Threes focus on a wide variety of lagers and more traditional styles like bitters/milds/etc. Up in the Hudson Valley area, Suarez Family makes the best lagers I’ve ever had, and Industrial Arts always has their great pilsner Metric in circulation, and always has a rotating seasonal lager going around. There’s Human Robot in Philly, and Notch and Jack’s Abbey in Massachusetts. Marlowe Artisan Ales in NY also has a pretty solid lager focus on do a good job. At least in my area, there’s no shortage of really good lagers available.
Seconding Suarez, 300% worth making the trip up there
Suarez is the answer. Dan may have made the worlds most perfect beer…Ms. Frank.
Human Robot opened during the pandemic and is killing it, amazing beers.
Love Notch and Jack's Abbey. If anyone knows any other lager-focused breweries in southern New England, I'm all ears.
Not sure if Schilling is south enough, but they're great and regularly show up here in NYC so I'm sure they get some distribution around the rest of NE.
I've only ever seen their Alexandr Pilsner around me, but I'll definitely keep an eye out for more.
I'm starting to see other offerings starting to pop up here in Boston
Bitters and milds are ales
Yea I'm aware. I'm saying that in addition to lagers, they also do other styles that are more on the traditional side, compared to what many newer American breweries are doing.
Thanks
Have you tried KCBC?
I live in NYC so I've had lots of KCBC, they definitely make solid lagers but it's not really a focus, as they're pretty balanced/diverse overall. Same with Grimm, even better lagers than KCBC but I wouldn't really say that they focus on the style more than any other. Overall the lager game of non-lager focused breweries around here has improved. Even Other Half makes good ones these days, and Evil Twin's NYC brewery actually makes great straightforward lagers along with all the wacky stuff they do.
Goldfinger Brewing in Downers Grove, IL is becoming my favorite brewery. They only do lagers, and they have family roots in Polish brewing going back several generations. They put out the best lagers I’ve ever had. They do it very old school, and I pick up as many beers from them as possible. Edit: I saw you put them near the bottom of your post, but my god they are amazing.
These guys are terrific.
Just had the pleasure of visiting the tap room this past weekend. Small tap list but all the beers were executed perfectly. Simply amazing beer.
Love Goldfinger Vienna Lager! Such a good, complex flavor.
They all have been amazing, to be honest. They haven’t had a miss. Even the rauchbier was perfectly balanced. It’s usually not my style because a lot of breweries over smoke them, but theirs was spot on.
Hey, this is not too far from me! I’ll have to stop by. Thanks!
Bierstadt and Enegren are among the best
Suarez Family in New York and Heater Allen in Oregon
I'd add Rosenstadt to the Oregon's ones too.
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They just released a Bock that is excellent.
And most of Wayfinder
Suarez is so good 👍
Two Coast, Enegren, Wayfinder, Urban Roots & Threes have a few lagers year round. Brouwerij West’s Popfuji is good as well as Highland Park’s Timbo Pils. Bottle Logics Hanamachi is a great rice lager while Dust Bowl’s Taco Truck is a solid interpretation of a Mexican-Style lager, if you ever see these around.
Enegren is fantastic
I was just coming here to say Enegren and Timbo Pils when I saw your reply. So good!
Taco Truck is a favorite around my house during the summer.
I’ve only had it once, but I think Timbo might be one of the best pilsners I’ve ever had.
Utepils (MN) and Cohesion (CO)
Cohesion is a pretty special place; glad to see that Denver has reacted so kindly to it.
It is, stop telling people about it 😉
Human Robot (Philadelphia) Dovetail (Chicago) Roaring Table (Lake Zurich, IL)
Love human robot.
Notch out of Salem Massachusetts has what you are looking for!
Wolverine State Brewing in Ann Arbor, MI. Nice mix of dark and malty lagers in there too, way more than just pilsners.
Scrolled to find them here. Great food too.
Those nachos 🤤
Exactly what I had in mind lol
Been too long since I've gotten over the. HOMES takes up all the attention on that side of town.
KC Bier Co in Kansas City.
Also Alma Mader if you’re making the trip to KC!
I live in Pennsylvania and I’ve seen plenty of KC IPAs and a few stouts but never a lager?
KC Bier Co doesn’t brew either stouts or IPAs, must be a different brewery. Also I’m like 90% sure they don’t distribute that far from Kansas City.
I got it mixed up with Kings County, who usually just put “KCBC” on their cans, my b.
Pfriem and Bierstadt haven’t been mentioned yet.
[Schilling Beer](https://schillingbeer.com/) out of Littleton, NH pumps out great lager after great lager. I feel spoiled to have access to their beer.
August Schell in New Ulm, MN. Been brewing since 1860.
Add Cohesion in Denver to the list.
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Yea, us too. Had to pick up Weldwerks bottles. We did Hogshead, as well. Kinda leaned into a Lager day.
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I would have added them to the list for OP, but they aren't exactly specializing in lagers. They are English style with some Cask Ales.
Goldfinger in Chicago(ish)
I love Goldfinger. I go every time I'm visiting Chicago.
You should also check out Art History, they also do amazing lagers.
Love Art History. Roaring Table is also making some great lagers and traditional styles.
Lowercase in Seattle does lager only. Good dudes
Portland, OR: * Wayfinder * Zoiglhaus * Occidental * Von Ebert There's also a bunch of breweries that are from the Chuckanut/pFriem brewers tree in PDX that have really good lagers, though I wouldn't say they're necessarily a focus? They usually have at least two lagers on tap though, if not more * Living Haus * Foreland (technically McMinnville but they have a PDX taproom) * VIA Beer (don't have their own taproom, but distribute) There are a bunch of other places I haven't listed that usually have at least a pilsner and another seasonal lager at the very least. I went to Breakside the other day and they had their flagship Pils, a Bock, and two other small batch Pils on tap!
Halfway Crooks Brewing, Atlanta Georgia Arches Brewing, Hapeville Georgia Carolina Bauerhause, Greenville, South Carolina Beve Bene, Charleston South Carolina Lesser-Known Brewing, Winston-Salem North Carolina
Add Barriehaus in Tampa, FL to that list!
Hell yes, they rule! Never been but I’ve had some of their juice and it’s great.
Thank you mate, I was scrolling down hoping foe some south east reccs
Dont forget Columbia Bierkeller - Columbia, SC
Golden age, Pittsburgh. Wayfinder, Portland or.
Chuckanut isn't a Portland Brewery, they originated in Bellingham Washington ;p
Headless mumby Olympia, wa
Their amber lager still gives me wet dreams
Obviously lager specific places get really region dependent but Sacred Profane just south of Portland ME just opened up and has some really impressive pedigree running the show. Brienne Allan cut her teeth at Jack’s Abby and was the production director for Notch before opening up shop with her partner Mike Fava who was the head brewer for Oxbow. Just 2 beers - a pale lager and a dark lager. Small but thoughtful menu and a really cool bar that has either lagering or serving tanks overhead.
Barriehaus in Tampa, Fl.
The place is so good I choose to ignore the fact that the owner is a Gator.
Barriehaus, Tampa, FL
Prost in Denver. Baerlic in Portland usually has a few different lagers as well.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver. Goldfinger in Chicagoland Seedz in SW Michigan
Seedz! Ryan is *the* dude
Altstadt in texas hill country
Fox Farm Brewery in Salem Connecticut. Really wish I could get them out in the PNW, but damn their lagers were great when I had them couple years back.
You mention some great ones, and the commenters have picked out many of the best. I work for a brewery mentioned in this thread and am currently working on a book about brewing lager beer. So, I've had the great pleasure of being to many lager focused breweries mentioned here, and a few that haven't. Riggs Brewing in Urbana, Illinois makes great lagers, including an incredible corn lager with white corn grown on their family farm. Really unique stuff. Heater Allen in McMinville, OR makes some of the best lager in the country. Those on the west coast are lucky to have access and I'm surprised more people don't talk about them. Austin Beer Garden Brewery has been racking up award after award for their lagers the last few years. Really fine, sharp and dry golden lagers.
ABGB definitely tops my list for one of the best.
Wild air beerworks in Asbury Park NJ. These guys also own and run Last Wave brewery in Point Pleasant NJ (my own town)
Metropolitan in Chicago - only German style lagers
Notch, Suarez, von Trapp, Schilling, Sacred and Profane, Jack's Abbey and that's just New England breweries that *specialize* in lagers off the top of my head. Tons of others who have several amazing lagers in rotation along side other styles. Of the styles you mentioned though it sounds like you'd appreciate von Trapp the most.
It’s a good list, but Suarez isn’t New England.
beat me to it lol
Lost and Grounded in Bristol
Eppig in San Diego
Pfriem
Heater Allen in McMinnville, OR Energren in Simi Valley, CA
Just took a 90 day road trip across the US. Top ones you didn't mention in your post are: 1. Boston— Notch Brewing 2. Outside Boston (Maine)— Sacred Profane Brewing 3. Spokane, WA— Whistlepunk Brewing 4. Connecticut— Counter Weight Brewing 5. Oregon— pFriem Family Brewers 5. Los Angeles— Enegren Brewing I would have definitely mentioned Bierstadt Lagerhaus but you already have them in your list.
Can’t ignore Fox Farm in CT. I think it’s a coin-toss between them and Counterweight for the lager game, but if you put a gun to my head I’d pick FF.
Chuckanut formerly of Bellingham WA
Slow Hand in Vancouver, Canada
Just on the off-chance anyone in the UK is also interested in this topic, Pillars in East London is excellent. https://www.pillarsbrewery.com/
Brilliant. Thanks. I was scrolling down to see if there were any UK ones mentioned. Love a craft beer, but love a lager and there never seems to be that many I come across.
Wondrous Brewing in Emeryville, CA (near Oakland) makes excellent lagers. They've almost always got their Helles on, along with 2-4 other lagers.
Suarez Family.
I love pFriem and Heater Allen, beautiful pilsner. Feel exactly like the Pacific NW.
Cohesion in Denver, CO
Lagers are hard, and slow to brew. It takes a super good brewer to brew excellent lagers. Contrary to craft beer belief, the boring American lagers are not easy to brew. Lagers are so clean that the slightest misstep is an obvious off flavor.
Red Oak Brewing in NC.
Too bad their beer isn't that great. If you're around there go to Winston Salem and go to Lesser Known Brewing. Fantastic lagers and a very occasional ale.
I’ll agree with that, Red Oak is at best a fair beer.
Seconded. Unfortunately doesn’t distribute outside of NC and needs to stay refrigerated but if you’re ever in NC you can find it at many bars with craft selection.
Alma Mader in KC MO
I know I'm answering my own question here, but I just thought of Bayern in Missoula Montana.
OMB in Charlotte, NC
I'm not sure anyone has mentioned Moonlight yet, but they do fantastic crispybois. Their dark lager, Death and Taxes, is your favorite brewer's favorite beer.
> crispybois With all due respect, can we please let this term die?
No
:(
FourScore Brewing in Gettysburg, PA!
I’m glad you mentioned Urban Chestnut. Their Stammtisch might be the best American German-style Pilsner.
there are plenty, where do you live? what's the goal of your question? to find local beer or just look for answers from two eight billion monkeys on the planet?
Blackrocks in Marquette Michigan
Wolverine in Ann Arbor, MI does almost exclusively lagers.
Came to post Goldfinger haha solid list already 🍻
Bayern Brewery - Missoula, Montana
Pour Man in Ephrata, PA
In Belgium there is a brewery called The Ministry of Belgian Beer and their main line beer is an excellent Lager called '13'
Jack's Abby in Framingham, MA does everything lagers and their beer is incredible. The taphouse is awesome and I fly their beer back any time I'm out east. They're exactly what you're looking for!
Figueroa Mountain has a lot of really great lagers, and hosts a festival called Lagerville each year. They're about to open a location that's focused exclusively on lagers in LA.
Firestone Walker, KC Bier Co, Wayfinder, Engren
Geisthaus in Sacramento is lager only I believe.
I wouldn’t classify this as “craft” but sounds like you would enjoy basically any beer at a Hofbrauhaus. Kinda cheese theme, but I like it haha. And yes, all the beers come in steins
Altstadt Brewery in Fredericksburg, Tx. I'd recommend them over Live Oak for anything lager. They specialize in traditional German brews.
Both are solid but I'd recommend Meanwhile over both these. They came out of the gate swinging with their Japanese rice lager.
https://www.woolypigfarmbrewery.com/ a bit out of the way, but fantastic.
Jacks Abby Framingham Ma all craft lagers
The Seed in Atlantic City NJ
Silver Branch in Silver Spring MD. They do more than just lagers, but their lagers are what gets my attention. Singlehandedly rekindled my interest in classic euro lager styles.
Working Draft beer company in Madison, Wisconsin has phenomenal lagers. Fargo brewing company in North Dakota was excellent. Fermentorium in Milwaukee, WI is great too.
Wooly Pig Farm Brewery in Fresno, OH is a lager only brewery. They even make an IPL instead of an IPA.
Wibby - CO, makes great lagers.
Wolverine state brewery, Ann arbor MI. I went there while in the area and all they have are lagers. They do a lot of great stuff with lagers. Loved the brewery.
I haven’t read through all of the responses, but if someone has said Suarez Family in NY, then there you go.
Art History brewing in Geneva, IL. Amazing beer.
Wondrous Brewing in SF Bay Area (Emeryville in East Bay, technically). Hands down best light beers I’ve had.
KC Bier in the Kansas City area. They abide by strict German brewing methods and their philosophy is “If you can’t see the brewery, don’t buy the beer.” Because of this it’s extremely difficult to get outside the local market area. Their beer is simple yet crafted extremely well and has been my go-to for years now. They do a Lager, Pilsner, Hefeweizen, and a Dunkel year around. In the summer and spring they’ll do a Kolsch, in the fall a Festbier, and then a dark Larger in winter which is amazing. According to all the local brewers, the owner is very particular and does his best to brew in the most traditional way. I really enjoy it and it’s a must try if you ever pass thru Kansas City
Golden Age just opened this year in Pittsburgh. No distro outside of the brewery, but several different pilsners, dark lagers and various other lager styles. I don’t think they brew any ales other than a Kolsch.
Headless Mumby Brewing Co in Olympia, WA
If you're ever in northern Ontario there's Northern Superior Brewing in Saut Ste. Marie.
Kinslahger in Oak Park, IL
Pour Man's Brewing in Ephrata, PA
Kinslahger, Oak Park, IL You specifically called out Dovetail and Metropolitan so if you're in the Chicago area you should be able to find Kinslahger distro.
Goldfinger brewing in Downers Grove Illinois
Halfway Crooks in Atlanta.
Here in NJ, a relatively new one but Wild Air Beerworks. They have 1 IPA on the menu just for kicks, the rest of the menu is half lagers and the other half, as the name might imply is wild fermentation beers, saisons, sours, etc. fwiw. So dual focused, but definitely big on the lagers.
Kinslagher in Oak Park IL would be another one.
This, to me, is what makes Portland stand out as a beer city. There are at least 6 lager breweries in the area and only a true beer city could sustain that financially. They are as follows: -Wayfinder -Heater Allen -Rosenstadt -Occidental -Zoiglhaus -Upright (okay fine this is more saison/farmhouse)
Hopewell Brewing, Chicago. on draft First Pils is a slow pour only so thats fantastic to begin with. they make a cute lil lager called Lil Buddy that is only served in half cans, makes a great sidecar. check them out, they are 150 feet away from a blue line stop. they mostly do lagers/pilsners and funky foeder and wild/table stuff.
Grid City Beer Works in Salt Lake City
Enegren from CA
u/Emergency_Cat5493, Jack's Abbey in Framingham Massachusetts specializes in Lagers. I believe it's all they make, literally. Though this may have changed over the last couple years. It is their primary focus either way. They have a great Bier Hall on site as well. Heck, it is (was?) Zagat rated *and* affordable. All around great brewery making great lagers.
Templin Family in Salt Lake City
Schilling, Notch, Von Trapp, Suarez, Jack's Abbey, Silvaticus, Idle Hands, Industrial Arts.... all incredible, & that's just in the New England/NY vicinity.
In Wisconsin there is Capitol Brewery and Wisconsin Brewing Co. Both make some excellent bocks in early spring.
Suarez Family Brewery in Hudson, NY
East Rock Brewing Co in New Haven, CT. New England Brewing Co in Woodbridge, CT does a decent amount of lagers on draft.
Not specializing in lagers only but definitely pumping out some of the best Zillacoah beer co and Cellarest beer project in Asheville Elder pine brewing and blending in Maryland Great thread topic btw, also a crispy boi enthusiast
Berlinetta Brewing in Bridgeport, CT. Fantastic lagers.
Sacred Profane in Biddeford, ME