Wait what? Curahee Brewing of Franklin, North Carolina has a flavorful, approachable German-style Dortmunder lager? No Wayah! Yes Wayah, actually, the beer is called Wayah Lager and is available in cans and on tap. Curahee is now a two-state brewery as well since they opened a second location in Alpharetta, Georgia. That should come as no surprise since the brewery is named for a mountain in Georgia.
Although I’m no stranger to Curahee beers, Wayah Lager was new to me until I found it on tap at Harrah’s Valley River casino in Murphy, North Carolina. When I did try it, though, I liked it so much that I had two.
Curahee says about Wayah Lager:
Our easy-drinking hybrid lager, Wayah, Cherokee for "wolf", melds flavors from imported German malts and yeast with a dose of New Zealand Pacifica on the finish. It's great for craft beer enthusiasts and non-initiates, alike.
Curahee Wayah Lager has an alcohol content of 5.6% by volume with 24 IBUs. I paid $4.72 for a pint at Harrah’s, Target sells it for $9.49 a six-pack in cans.
My cup of Curahee Wayah Blonde arrived pale straw in color with a light creamy head and fresh baked bready malts in the nose and on the palate. Herbal grassy hop notes permeate, and an impressive long lingering bitter finish rounds the beer out nicely.
You could have told me this was brewed in Germany and I would have believed it. Excellent, a malty German style lager that really accents crisp German malt. I think it might be a little more bitter than non-initiates will appreciate, but I loved it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler