Einstök Arctic Lager

Review Date 12/14/2023  By John Staradumsky

  Style: Pilsner   Brewery: Einstök   Country: Iceland   State: N/A   $ Per OZ: $.18 (B)   ABV: 4.7%

My son bought me beer! Again! Last year for Christmas, my son showed up with a whole lot of beer. Not just any beer mind you, but really good beer! In fact, he did so well at it that he decided to do it again this year, and I am fine with that. He even managed to get a beer that I had never tried before, Einstök Arctic Lager. As much beer as I drink, that’s no small feat, either.

I have had a number of Einstök beers before, and always enjoy them, so I drank a can of Arctic Lager the first chance I got. I was, once again, impressed by this wonderful craft brewery from Iceland. Since I first tasted their amazing Toasted Porter seven years ago, I’ve also come to enjoy their delightful Winter Ale and Doppelbock (the latter being my favorite style) at holiday time. In fact I had just purchased a six-pack of each of these prior to my son gifting me the Arctic Lager. You might say, then, that I am well-Einstöked with Icelandic beer. Arr arr.

Einstök says:

Iceland’s magnificent glaciers draw curious legions from around the world. You can taste that majesty in every sip of Arctic Lager. Brewed with Munich & Pilsner malts and dry-hopped with Citra & Citra Cryo hops, our Arctic Lager delivers a full hop-forward aroma with a medium body and crisp refreshing taste.

Citra Cryo hops-that sounds interesting. Do you want to know more? Einstök has an answer for you.

What are Citra Cryo hops? Citra Cryo hops undergo a cryogenic process in which whole leaf hops are separated into concentrated lupulin at an extremely low temperature to preserve their essential oils and resins. This procedure results in a more potent hoppy and citrusy taste.  

That is interesting, and I must say that this beer did indeed have a wonderful grassy-citrusy hop flavor and aroma.

Einstök Arctic Lager has an alcohol content of 4.7% by volume and runs $12.99 a six-pack at Total Wine. It is brewed with the aforementioned hops plus Hallertau Tradition. My can is labeled brewed by Einstök Beer Company, Stratford CT, presumably at Two Roads. My can is marked on the bottom PKG 22AUG23.

Einstök Arctic Lager pours to a brilliant golden color with a thick fluffy white head and a nose of crisp malt and lemony, grassy hops. Taking a sip, the beer is delightfully crisp and biscuity, popping with fresh malt flavor. The hops permeate, citric, herbal, grassy and bitter in the finish. That bitter finish juxtaposed against the fresh malt make this a quaffable beer indeed, and a fine pilsner.

I really love this beer and I am so glad my son bought me a six-pack. The dry hopping infuses the beer with wonderful hop aroma and flavor, and as pilsners go this one is interesting and delicious.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??