1840 Original Lager: A Little History. A Lot of Lager.

1840 Original Lager is the newest craft lager in the Aldus Brewing lineup. It’s malt-forward, balanced, and easy-drinking—the perfect marriage of brewing tradition and innovation. Its name references the historical moment when lagers were first brewed in America. 

According to brewing lore, in 1840 John Wagner brewed one of America's first lagers in Philadelphia using yeast he had brought home from Bavaria. While 1840 Original Lager isn't intended to recreate that historic beer, the name is a nod to the moment lager brewing began taking root in the United States. 

The brewing team wanted to create an Oktoberfest-adjacent beer without brewing an Oktoberfest beer. They wanted to brew a craft beer that offers more depth than a light lager while remaining accessible to casual craft beer drinkers. They looked to Czech amber lagers for inspiration, creating a beer that combines the rich malt character of an Oktoberfest with the crisp drinkability of a Czech-style lager.

1840 Original Lager Tasting Notes

The first sip brings fresh-baked bread and lightly toasted crust, followed by gentle caramel notes before finishing crisp, clean, and refreshing. It’s smooth, with an approachable ABV of 5.2%. Like our American Blonde Ale, 1840 is flavorful and approachable without being intimidating. That's where the similarities end. Our American Blonde Ale has signature fruity notes of apricot and citrus. 1840 leans into rich malt, toasted bread, and subtle caramel flavors. The brewers primarily used a Munich-style malt, which contributed to the beer's signature bready, slightly toasty flavor.

What You'll Taste

• Toasted bread crust

• Fresh-baked bread

• Light caramel

• Crisp, clean finish

  
  

What You Won't Taste

• Heavy roast flavors

• Excessive sweetness

• Sharp bitterness

• Fruity yeast esters

  
  
  
  

What to Pair with 1840 Original Lager

Due to the lager’s German and Czech roots, traditional German sausages, sauerkraut, and schnitzel pair nicely with this beer. But don’t dismiss pairings from other cuisines. We also enjoy pairing 1840 with tacos topped with fresh salsa, vinegar-based barbecue, Buffalo wings, Thai dishes, and classic fish and chips.

1840 Original Lager isn't just great in the glass. Several members of our team have cooked with it as well, using it in everything from pot roast and chili to barbecue sauce and chicken wings. Its rich malt character adds depth without overpowering the dish.

1840 Original Lager is perfect for the next time you’re looking for a malt-forward lager with a clean, crisp finish. 

Check out our Find Us page to find 1840 Original Lager at a retailer near you.