Upland Champagne Velvet 6Pk

Upland Champagne Velvet 6Pk is a pre-Prohibition-style American lager brewed at 5.5% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz containers. Scored 92/100 by Craft Beer & Brewing, this Indiana-brewed lager is an authentic recreation of a recipe dating to 1902.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Indiana, USA  |  Style: Pre-Prohibition American Lager  |  Brewery: Upland Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Champagne Velvet traces its origins to the Terre Haute Brewing Company and a recipe created in 1902 by brewmaster Walter Bruhn, the son of German immigrants. The original recipe was lost for decades until a fan discovered the handwritten formula buried in a trademark portfolio; Upland Brewing Company then reformulated the beer using that recovered document. The grain bill blends 2-row barley and flaked maize, while Cluster and German Tettnang hops provide a light, balancing bitterness — staying true to the pre-Prohibition brewing tradition that favored adjunct lagers with genuine depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Subtle grainy malt leads, followed by a faint sweetness from the corn adjunct and a mild earthy hop character. The overall impression is clean and inviting without any heavy yeast or fruity esters.

Taste: The entry is crisp and bright, with a light pilsner-like body that carries more substance than typical macro lagers. A muted sweetness from the flaked maize emerges at mid-palate, balanced by earthy Tettnang hops. The carbonation is robust and lifts the malt flavors without overwhelming them.

Finish: Very dry and clean, with high carbonation scrubbing the palate. A lingering grain note fades quickly, leaving the beer remarkably refreshing and encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Champagne Velvet

Serve cold — between 38°F and 45°F — in a pilsner glass or straight from the container for a casual session. Its clean, crisp profile also makes it a reliable base for beer cocktails. A Michelada benefits from the lager's dry finish and high carbonation cutting through lime, hot sauce, and tomato. A Shandy pairs the subtle maize sweetness with fresh lemonade for a summer staple. A Beer-a-Rita works well because the light body and neutral malt character let citrus and salt take the lead.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where easy-drinking beer is essential
• Craft beer enthusiasts curious about pre-Prohibition American brewing history
• Transitioning from macro lagers to craft without a dramatic flavor leap
• Gifting to a beer lover who appreciates heritage recipes and regional brewing

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Champagne Velvet taste like? Champagne Velvet is a crisp, clean lager with a light grainy malt body, subtle corn-derived sweetness, earthy hop bitterness, and a very dry, carbonated finish. It drinks lighter than many craft lagers but carries more flavor and body than mainstream American domestics.

How does Champagne Velvet compare to Pabst Blue Ribbon? Both are approachable American lagers using corn adjuncts, but Champagne Velvet has a noticeably fuller body and more defined malt character, reflecting its hand-recovered 1902 recipe. PBR leans thinner and more neutral, while Champagne Velvet delivers greater earthy hop complexity and a drier finish at a comparable 5.5% ABV.

Is Champagne Velvet good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its clean profile and high carbonation make it a straightforward, sessionable lager best enjoyed cold without any additions.

Where is Champagne Velvet made? Champagne Velvet is brewed by Upland Brewing Company in Indiana, USA. The recipe originated at the Terre Haute Brewing Company in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1902.

What foods pair well with Champagne Velvet? Grilled burgers and hot dogs complement the malt sweetness. Fried chicken works because the dry finish and carbonation cut through oil and breading. Light Mexican fare like fish tacos pairs well with the earthy hops and crisp body. Sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the subtle corn sweetness. Salted pretzels are a classic match for any clean lager.

What sizes does Champagne Velvet come in? Champagne Velvet is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz containers.

Is Champagne Velvet worth the price? Champagne Velvet positions as a craft lager at an accessible price tier, sitting above mainstream domestics but well within the range of everyday craft beer. Its 92/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and genuine historical pedigree give it strong value relative to other craft lagers in its class.

Why Champagne Velvet?

Few American beers can claim a verified recipe lineage stretching back to 1902 — and even fewer can say that recipe was rescued from obscurity by a dedicated fan. Champagne Velvet is not a nostalgic marketing exercise; it is a faithful reformulation of Walter Bruhn's original pre-Prohibition formula using 2-row barley, flaked maize, and Cluster and German Tettnang hops. The 92/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing validates the result as more than a novelty. For anyone who wants a sessionable, historically rooted American lager with genuine character, this Indiana-brewed six-pack delivers what most retro-branded beers only promise.