Phase Three Lager Variety 12Pk

Phase Three Lager Variety 12Pk is a 12-can mixed pack showcasing four lager styles from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, with ABVs ranging from 4.7% to 5.8%. The pack includes P3 Pils — ranked the #9 American Pilsner on BeerAdvocate — alongside P3 Oktoberfest, Geo, and P3 Festbier, each representing a different approach to lager brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%–5.8%  |  Origin: Lake Zurich, Illinois  |  Style: Lager Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Phase Three Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Phase Three Brewing Company operates out of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and has earned a devoted following for its lager program. P3 Oktoberfest is brewed with 100% German Weyermann Specialty Malts, German yeast, and German hops, then conditioned for eight weeks in traditional horizontal lagering tanks — a method that promotes exceptional clarity and smoothness. Geo takes a different path entirely: built on a crackery pilsner malt base with noble hops and German lager yeast, it receives generous dry-hop additions of Mosaic and Citra after fermentation, creating a West Coast Pilsner hybrid that bridges old-world technique and new-world hop character.

Tasting Notes

P3 Pils (4.7% ABV): The nose opens with lemon zest, subtle spicy grass, and bread-cracker notes. On the palate, expect lightly toasted bread, a touch of citrus, and herbal tea character. Light-bodied with lively carbonation and a clean, herbal finish.

P3 Oktoberfest (5.8% ABV): Rich aromas of toasted bread and caramel lead the way. The palate delivers malty depth with subtle caramel sweetness and a bready backbone. The extended eight-week lagering period yields a smooth, rounded finish with restrained bitterness.

Geo (5.5% ABV): Bright pops of orange, grapefruit, and tropical fruit dominate the nose alongside pine and honeysuckle. The palate balances big, fruity, dank hop character with papaya and herbal nuances over a soft, crispy-clean malt base. The finish is dry and refreshing despite the hop intensity.

P3 Festbier: A traditional German-style festival lager rounding out the pack, contributing a lighter, more sessionable counterpoint to the Oktoberfest.

How to Drink the Phase Three Lager Variety Pack

Each beer in this pack is best served cold, ideally between 38–45°F, in a clean pilsner glass or traditional German stein. The variety format lends itself well to tasting flights — pour all four side by side to appreciate the range of the lager spectrum. P3 Pils pairs naturally with lighter warm-weather sessions, while the Oktoberfest and Festbier shine during autumn gatherings. Geo, with its hop-forward profile, stands up well alongside spicier fare or as a bridge beer for IPA drinkers exploring lagers.

Best For

• Hosting a beer tasting flight at home with friends who appreciate craft lagers
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing variety to a backyard cookout or tailgate
• Introducing IPA enthusiasts to hop-forward lagers through Geo
• Celebrating Oktoberfest season with authentic German-style brewing techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Phase Three Lager Variety Pack taste like? The pack spans a wide flavor range: P3 Pils is crisp with lemon and herbal notes, Oktoberfest delivers toasted bread and caramel malt richness, and Geo bursts with tropical fruit, citrus, and dank hop character over a clean lager base.

How does P3 Pils compare to Surly Hell? Both are well-regarded Midwestern craft pilsners with similar herbal and bready aroma profiles, though P3 Pils leans slightly more citrus-forward while Surly Hell tends toward a more traditional German hop bitterness.

Is this variety pack good for craft beer beginners? Yes — the four styles offer an accessible introduction to lager diversity, ranging from the straightforward P3 Pils at 4.7% ABV to the more complex Oktoberfest and hop-driven Geo, allowing newer drinkers to discover their preferences.

Where is Phase Three beer made? Phase Three Brewing Company is based in Lake Zurich, Illinois, a suburb northwest of Chicago, where they brew and lager all of their beers on-site.

What foods pair well with these lagers? P3 Pils pairs with grilled chicken, light salads, and fresh seafood due to its herbal crispness. Oktoberfest complements bratwurst, soft pretzels, and roasted pork with its malty depth. Geo stands up to spicy tacos, Thai food, and grilled shrimp where its tropical hop character can match bold flavors.

What sizes does the Phase Three Lager Variety Pack come in? This product is available as a 12-pack of cans containing three cans of each of the four lager styles.

Is the Phase Three Lager Variety Pack worth the price? Phase Three positions as a premium craft brewery with a strong regional reputation, and this pack delivers four distinct, well-executed lager styles — making it a strong value proposition compared to purchasing individual four-packs of each beer separately.

Why Phase Three Lager Variety?

Phase Three has built its lager credibility through process-driven brewing — the eight-week horizontal tank conditioning on the Oktoberfest and the post-fermentation dry-hopping on Geo demonstrate a brewery willing to invest time and technique rather than shortcuts. P3 Pils earning a top-10 ranking among American Pilsners on BeerAdvocate confirms the program's quality at a national level. This variety pack captures four distinct expressions of lager craft from a single Illinois brewery, offering a rare opportunity to taste how one brewhouse interprets pilsner, märzen, festbier, and hop-forward lager traditions in a single format.