It started out as a conversation amongst our production crew; what would it take to create the lager we always dreamed about? Something crisp, clean and perfectly crafted. Something with that delicious Switchback malt signature, balanced by noble hops with just a hint of sweetness.

Glimmers of a helles lager came to mind. But then came the challenge of mastering this notoriously unforgiving style. First we had to cultivate a lager yeast capable of fermenting the beer we desired. Then we developed a special mashing profile that allows proteins to carry through for the optimum mouthfeel.

Lastly, we stubbornly lagered this beer for a full six weeks. By not short cycling the lager yeast, it has all the time it needs to fully ferment for ideal flavor. You can’t rush perfection!

After more than a year of experimenting, we had the lager of our dreams, but then came the biggest hurdle…naming it. What could possibly do it justice?

Flashback to 2008: Switchback Founder, Bill Cherry, traveled to Beerfelden, Germany to acquire a new (to us) 1964 Huppmann brewhouse. Bill worked alongside three Germans who specialized in brewery work to disassemble and pack up the copper brewhouse for its voyage to Vermont. One of those technicians was a man named Karsten.

Karsten was a no frills, no-nonsense and straight to the point kind of guy. Wearing his signature cap with “KARSTEN” boldly proclaimed across the front, he worked quietly and skillfully every day to get the job done right. Who better to name this expertly crafted and unpretentious beer after than the man himself? And so, Karsten Premium Lager was born.

Just like our brewers envisioned, it's a beer made for all. Modest to the bone, despite the skill it takes to make. A beer made for drinking not crowing about. The ultimate crisp, clean, straightforward taste meant to be enjoyed on any occasion – big or small. A beer big on details but not boastful about them.

If this beer was a person, we like to think it would be a lot like Karsten; working hard to be respected and proud to claim that reputation.

Cheers to the Karstens of the world!