Meet the Lager That’s Changing Minds
The craft beer world often revolves around the boldest, most experimental brews—triple IPAs, pastry stouts, smoothie sours. But somewhere along the way, we lost touch with what made beer so essential in the first place: balance, clarity, and drinkability.
That’s where East Brother Beer Co. comes in.
We’re a Bay Area craft brewery dedicated to classic styles, and our Pre-Prohibition Lager is a perfect example of what happens when you embrace tradition, focus on quality, and brew with purpose. Whether you're searching for craft beer near you or seeking out the best lager in California, this is a beer that earns its spot in your fridge, again and again.
So What Is a Pre-Prohibition Lager?
That’s a good question—and one without a simple answer.
There’s no strict rulebook or official beer style guide for a Pre-Prohibition lager. It’s more of a philosophy than a formula. Before Prohibition, American brewers made lagers with locally grown barley, often blended with corn or rice to suit the climate, ingredients, and palates of the time. These beers were clean, slightly stronger, and far more flavorful than the mass-produced lagers that came later.
Our version is uniquely East Brother — crafted with California-grown Atlas 6-row barley from Admiral Maltings, flaked corn for smoothness, and traditional American hops. The result is a crisp, balanced lager with just enough character to stand out—but never overwhelm.
Locally Grown, Bay Area Brewed
The backbone of our Pre-Pro Lager is Atlas barley, a grain with roots in California’s agricultural and brewing history. Developed by UC Davis in the early 1900s from landrace barley brought over by Spanish settlers, Atlas was once a mainstay in American brewing. Today, it’s grown by Ben Work in Paso Robles and malted by Admiral Maltings in Alameda.
By using Atlas, we’re not just crafting a great beer—we’re keeping California brewing tradition alive.
As a Bay Area craft brewery, we believe that where your beer comes from matters. From our Richmond brewhouse to your glass, we keep every step of the process focused on flavor, heritage, and high standards.
The Best Lager in California? You Decide.
If you're looking for the best lager in California, we think you’ll find it right here. But don’t just take our word for it—our Pre-Pro Lager earned a 91-point rating from Beer Connoisseur Magazine, who called it:
“A very well-executed and flavorful Pre-Prohibition lager… stylistically accurate, flavorful, and refreshing.”
Whether you’re a longtime lager fan or a hophead looking to take a break, this is a beer that fits any occasion—and any fridge.
Find Craft Beer Near You
You don’t have to trek across the Bay Area to enjoy East Brother Beer Co.’s Pre-Prohibition Lager. We’re stocked at:
Safeway
Whole Foods
Raley’s
Independent craft beer shops across Northern California
Use our Beer Finder to locate a store near you. Or visit our Richmond taproom and enjoy it fresh from the source, with indoor and outdoor seating and views of the working waterfront.
Lager Is Back. This Time, It’s Better.
There’s a reason lager built American beer culture, and with our Pre-Pro Lager, we’re proud to bring it back to its roots. Balanced, clean, and proudly brewed with California-grown grain, it’s a beer you’ll reach for without hesitation.
No gimmicks. No trends. Just a true classic, reimagined.
