Mill Creek "Landmark" Lager

I'm genuinely unsure if the Mill Creek area of Tennessee is under any kind of gentrification at this time. I mention it as it would seem that a beer that has to specifically call itself a "vintage lager" is probably trying to go for the hipster crowd. Do hipsters even exist anymore? Is that just a subculture that is now culture? Either way, I'm intrigued to test out what they consider a vintage beer. Is it based on an old recipe? I've had those before, and they haven't been bad. Let's dive into this one.

The clear, very pale beer reminds me quite a bit of a Coors or Budweiser in appearance. That said, the head does not stick around nearly as long as those beers. This head runs. It runs fast, and it leaves nothing in its wake. The aroma, similar to those more common beverages, is difficult to smell sweet malt. The beer isn't absolutely terrible in appearance, but it's fairly dull. With no head, it wouldn't even make a good beer for background shots on a TV show.

First sip is very simple and straightforward. It is sweet malt with just the barest hint of bitterness and lemons. There is nothing particularly complex about the beer, as far as the sip is concerned, and I think that's just fine for what this beers going for. The sweet malt has a little graininess to it, and the straightforward nature makes it unpretentious. A simple lager isn't usually all that simple to make, and it's also hard to make well. The simplicity is the beauty of the beverage.

Tip-in is mild carbonation sizzle with grains and lemons just hanging out, doing their thing. The middle heightens the sizzle and moves it to the back of the mouth while the grains and lemons sweeten up in a watery mush in the center. The finish is sweet and somewhat dry as a memory of grains is left on the tongue.

Bottom Line: Simple. And it may be better for it.

3.0/5