Lager Buying Guide

Lager beers  are distinguished from ales because of the way that they are created.  The yeast employed for lagering works at cooler temperatures and therefore sinks to the bottom.  Interestingly enough, the term 'lager' is a German word, which means 'cold storage'.

History

Lagers are relatively new on the world scene, as ales were brewed centuries before the lagering technique was invented.  It wasn't until the 1830's, when Bavarians invented the lagering method of beer production. In 1942, the first lager brew was tapped in Pilsen, Germany, which was a pilsner.  The technique became a European sensation; at about the same time there was an influx of German immigrants to America who introduced cold brewing to the states. Anhauser-Busch,  Stroh,  Coors,  MIller,  and Pabst  roots actually begin here.  With industrial age technology such as automatic bottling, refrigeration, and railroad distribution, American lagers  became the most widely available beers on Earth (though many consider them to be a watered down version of the original lagers).  Luckily, there are a wide variety of brews to choose from!

Lager Types

• Amber Lager : These are darker in color, with a copper to amber hue. Generally more flavorful than the standard pale lager.
• Bock : A type of strong lager, typically associated with Germany.
• Dark Lager / Dunkel : The original pale lager that can combine chocolate or licorice flavors with dark roasted malt.
• Doppelbock : Extra strong and rich lagers, coupled with sweetness; a subcategory of bock.
• Pale Lager : The standard international beer style, as personified by products from Budweiser to Heineken.
• Pilsner : Characterized by high carbonation and tangy Czech varieties of hops that impart floral aromas and a crisp, bitter finish.
• Oktoberfest : Generally defined as a reddish-hued lager, deriving its color from "Vienna roasted" malt.

Famous Lagers

Yuengling Traditional Lager  Despite its strange name, Yeungling is actually an amber-colored American lager brewed in Pennsylvania.	Dos Equis Amber Lager  This Mexican beer is classified as a lager, but has the body and taste of an ale.	Stella Artois Pale Lager  This Belgian-style pale lager is very popular worldwide because of its smooth taste.	Heineken  This pale lager from the Netherlands is very crisp and refreshing.	Coors  Founded in 1873, Coors Original and Coors Light have been a favorite value beer in America.

Related Guides

Beer Guide	Ales Guide	Pilsner Guide	Stout Guide