Viennese lager (Wiener Lager) is Vienna’s signature beer: amber to copper, toasty and bready, with a clean finish. It came out of the 19th century and stuck around—today you still get it fresh in traditional Brauhäuser that brew on-site. If you want one style that sums up Vienna beer, this is it.
Where it came from
Anton Dreher in Schwechat (just outside Vienna) nailed a new kilning process and created “Vienna malt”—lighter, aromatic, amber. That gave birth to a lager that was a step away from the dark beers of the time. Breweries across Vienna and the Habsburg lands took it up, and “Vienna lager” became a thing. More in the Vienna Brewery Guide.
What to expect in the glass
Toasty, bready, a touch of sweetness, enough hop to keep it clean. Colour from light amber to copper. Usually medium-bodied, around 4.5–5.5% ABV—sessionable and a natural fit with Austrian food. If you like this, try Märzen next; they’re from the same family.
Where to drink it in Vienna
Best bet: a traditional brewery that brews on-site. You get the real deal—fresh, unfiltered options often included. Fischerbräu in Döbling (Billrothstraße 17) has been doing exactly that since 1985: Helles, Dunkles, and seasonal specials with Austrian food in a proper neighbourhood setting.
Viennese lager at Fischerbräu
House-brewed Helles, Dunkles, and more in Döbling. Reserve or drop in.