Saxer Brewing Company - Saxer Public Lager

Saxer Pubic Lager is brewed with two row pale and munich pales malts in the tradition of Henry Saxor's German heritage. The brewery uses Mt. Hood and Tettnang hops to balance this straw-colored lager. We picked up a hint of lightly toasted grains in the nose with a bit of floral hops as well. Look for a malty palate and lingering hop bitterness in the finish. Note good head retention in this light to medium bodied lager. Overall, we found it well balanced and a great representation of a German Lager. Consider pairing it with spicy food such as Thai or Indian.

Commercial brewing in the Pacific Northwest began in 1852, when a German immigrant named Henry Saxer established his Liberty Brewery at the new village called Portland in the Oregon Territory. Henry Saxer missed being the first brewer on the Pacific Coast by three years; that honor went to San Francisco brewer Adam Schuppert in 1849.

Henry Saxer was among the vanguard in a growing parade of pioneer Northwest brewers who brought their art to a thirsty frontier. Introducing the careful brewing methods of the Old Country, these adventurous brewers set themselves to the task of satisfying what seemed to be a limitless demand. Saxer's modest beer plant was near First and Davis Streets in downtown Portland. It was the first of a number of early breweries in the Northwest Territory.

Eight years after beginning brewing in 1852, Henry Saxer's original small wooden house had grown to three large adjoining two-story buildings. In 1862 Saxer sold his brewery to a young German brewer named Henry Weinhard from neighboring Fort Vancouver, across the Columbia River. Thus began the epoch of Oregon's longest-running brewing company. Today, The Saxer Brewing Company carries the name of its pioneer namesake because he embodies the spirit and tradition of making the finest handcrafted beer in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, check out their web site at www.saxerbeer.com.