Episode 21 of Matt Likes Beer centers on one of Matt’s most personal beer styles: the Vienna Lager. The featured beer comes from Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a brewery Matt knows well through Tavour, though he has yet to visit in person. As the fifth episode of 2026, this installment marks a return to a classic, clearly defined BJCP style after several episodes focused on mixed or emerging categories.

Matt opens by explaining why Vienna Lager holds such a special place in his beer journey, tracing it back to his early craft beer days and the role Sam Adams Boston Lager played as his gateway into better beer. That personal connection sets the tone for a thoughtful, technically rigorous review grounded in both experience and nostalgia.

Using BJCP Category 7A guidelines, Matt evaluates the beer’s copper color, clarity, persistent head, malt-forward aroma, and balanced bitterness. While the beer excels in appearance and overall balance, the judging reveals a few technical shortcomings, including a slightly acrid finish, excess sweetness for the style, and a slick mouthfeel that detracts from elegance. These factors lead to a final score of 35 out of 50, placing the beer firmly in the “Very Good” range.

Despite the score, Matt is clear: this is a beer he would happily drink again. The episode reinforces a recurring theme of the podcast—the difference between judging to style and drinking for enjoyment—and why a technically imperfect beer can still be highly satisfying in real-world settings.