North East Beer Review

1936 Bière is my first beer from the mountainous Switzerland. Brewed by Brauerei Locher AG, this is a beer I see of a bottle of from time to time but this is the first time I have seen it on draught. So, I felt obliged to give it a try. During the course of my review on this Swiss lager, I will cover the history of the brewery and beer, the pour, the taste and aroma and finally my verdict.

This wasn’t actually founded in 1936.

Brauerei Locher AG has roots which date back to two centuries ago. With the Locher family acquiring the brewery in 1886 in region of Appenzell. Locher prides itself as family run which spans across five generations. Over time, the brewery had expanded from local beers to specialty brews and remains tied to the region. The brewery utilises regional spring water, barley and Swiss hops. During 90’s and 00’s, the brewery expanded its mission into innovation and sustainability.

The beer called 1936, is a pale lager from the heart of the Swiss alps. Despite having a vintage name and feel, this beer was actually founded in 2012. This is a mainstay in the Locher lineup and is brewed using alps spring water and Swiss hops. This beer remains aligned to the timeless quality mixed with sustainable practices. This beer carries an ABV of 4.7%.

A pour with excellent clarity

When I presented with this, 1936 Bière was a bright golden colour which was clear with excellent clarity. In terms of carbonation, this was really lively with steady stream of bubbles constantly flowing. A head was present although not massive. It left a gentle amount of lacing down the glass. Overall, this was a clean and crisp looking lager.

A crisp taste and aroma

Aroma

On the nose, 1936 Swiss Lager is clean and subtle, staying true to its alpine lager roots. Light grainy malt aromas lead the way, with notes of fresh bread and cracker. There’s a gentle herbal hop presence in the background, slightly grassy and floral but never overpowering. Overall, the aroma is crisp, fresh, and restrained. Doing exactly what you need it to do.

Taste

The first sip delivers a soft, lightly sweet malt character, reminiscent of pilsner malt, fresh bread, and a touch of honeyed grain. As the beer opens up, mild herbal and grassy hop flavours emerge, providing balance without sharp bitterness. The bitterness remains low to moderate, allowing the malt to stay front and centre. The finish is clean, smooth, and dry, with a subtle hop snap and a refreshing aftertaste that encourages another sip. There’s no heaviness or lingering sweetness, just a crisp, classic lager profile built for easy drinking.

Time for my verdict

1936 Bière is a lager which does not pretend to be something it is not. A very clean and appetising beer, this had to deep malt character which was brilliantly balanced with the herbal grassy hop notes. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with this lager. Overall, I rate this a solid 4.25 out of 5.

Where did I purchase this beer?

I purchased this beer from Mala in Manchester, Northern Quarter. It was a cool little venue for street food.

If you enjoyed this beer review, you will love my review of Stiegl Goldbrau.