Stiegl Goldbrau 4Pk Cans

Stiegl Goldbrau 4Pk Cans is a 5.0% ABV Austrian Märzen-style lager from Salzburg's oldest private brewery, sold in a convenient four-pack format. Brewed continuously with a 12-degree original gravity recipe for over a century, Goldbräu holds the Slow Brewing quality seal—a distinction shared by only four breweries in all of Austria—and has earned a Bronze medal at the World Beer Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Salzburg, Austria  |  Style: Austrian Märzen / Lager  |  Brewery: Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg (est. 1492)

Production & Heritage

Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg was founded in 1492 in what is now the Maxglan district of Salzburg. The brewery has been privately owned by the Kiener family for more than 120 years, making it one of the few remaining independent large-scale breweries in Austria. Goldbräu is brewed with just three ingredients—barley malt, hops, and natural spring water drawn from Untersberg Mountain, which constitutes roughly 92% of the finished beer and is used without treatment exactly as it emerges from the ground. The 12-degree original gravity has remained unchanged for over 100 years, producing a rounder, fuller body than many competing Austrian lagers that have reduced their gravity to cut costs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich toasty malt before moving into sweet, slightly citrusy grain notes. Subtle fruit hints of apricot and apple linger beneath the bready backbone.

Taste: Crisp hop bitterness greets the palate on entry, balanced immediately by moderate toasty and grainy malt. Mid-palate, the beer develops a slightly bready sweetness with touches of plum and raspberry, while spicy and herbal hop notes provide structure. The gentle bitterness never overwhelms the malt-forward character.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately long, with lingering bready malt and a whisper of herbal hops. The round, full-bodied mouthfeel keeps the close smooth rather than dry.

How to Drink Stiegl Goldbräu

Goldbräu is best served cold—ideally between 42–46°F—in a traditional Austrian Krug or Willi Becher glass to concentrate its malty aromas. It drinks beautifully on its own as a straightforward session lager but also works in a handful of beer-forward mixed drinks. A Radler is the natural pairing, mixing Goldbräu half-and-half with fresh lemonade, where the malt sweetness complements citrus acidity. A Shandy Gaff with ginger beer amplifies the spicy hop notes. For something unexpected, try a Beer Margarita—the malty body and clean bitterness add depth alongside lime and tequila.

Best For

• Stocking a backyard barbecue with an authentic European lager
• Introducing craft-curious friends to traditional Austrian brewing
• Pairing with a charcuterie board or Oktoberfest-style spread
• A weeknight session beer that rewards attention without demanding it

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stiegl Goldbräu taste like? Stiegl Goldbräu leads with crisp hop bitterness balanced by toasty, bready malt and subtle fruit notes of plum, apricot, and raspberry. The body is round and full for a lager, finishing clean with gentle herbal bitterness.

How does Stiegl Goldbräu compare to Spaten Premium Lager? Both are malt-forward European lagers, but Goldbräu's 12-degree original gravity and Untersberg mountain spring water give it a noticeably fuller body and rounder mouthfeel. Spaten Premium tends to lean slightly drier and lighter on the palate in comparison.

Is Stiegl Goldbräu good for beginners? Absolutely—its balanced malt sweetness and moderate 5.0% ABV make it approachable for anyone new to European-style lagers, while the depth of flavor keeps experienced drinkers engaged.

Where is Stiegl Goldbräu made? Stiegl Goldbräu is brewed at the Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg in the Maxglan district of Salzburg, Austria, a brewery that has been operating since 1492 and is privately owned by the Kiener family.

What foods pair well with Stiegl Goldbräu? Roast pork or Wiener Schnitzel highlights the malty backbone. Soft pretzels with mustard mirror the bready notes. Grilled bratwurst works naturally alongside the gentle hop bitterness. Nutty Emmental or Gruyère cheese complements the toasty malt, and lighter fare such as grilled chicken or garden salads benefits from the beer's clean finish.

What sizes does Stiegl Goldbräu come in? The four-pack of cans is the most widely available format in the United States; Stiegl Goldbräu is also commonly found in single 16.9 oz (500 ml) cans and on draught at select bars and restaurants.

Is Stiegl Goldbräu worth the price? Goldbräu positions as a premium import lager that consistently outperforms many domestic offerings at a similar price tier. The unchanged 12-degree gravity recipe, untreated mountain spring water, and Slow Brewing quality seal represent genuine craft integrity rare at this price point.

Why Stiegl Goldbräu?

Few lagers can claim an unbroken recipe stretching back more than a century, brewed with unfiltered mountain spring water at a gravity most competitors abandoned long ago. The Slow Brewing quality seal—awarded to just four Austrian breweries—certifies that Stieglbrauerei prioritizes time, raw materials, and traditional methods over efficiency shortcuts. Goldbräu's Bronze medal at the World Beer Awards and over 150,000 ratings on Untappd confirm that the beer resonates well beyond its Salzburg home. For drinkers who want an authentic Austrian Märzen lager with genuine heritage behind it, Goldbräu delivers substance that mass-market imports simply do not.