Lager
Lagers account for more worldwide annual liquid volume consumption than ales, due primarily to the popularity and ubiquity of crisp, pale Lager beers produced in every brewing country around the globe.
Lagers represent some of the most approachable, easy-drinking beer styles available, which contributes to Lager’s consumption edge over ale, despite the fact that ale styles are more numerous and were consumed thousands of years before lagering and cold-aging took hold.
While the multiple styles of Lager that originated in Europe centuries ago make up the majority of those brewed throughout the world today, popular styles born in the United States and Asia continue to add variety to the many classic European (Old World) lagers.
So what is a Lager beer? Easy-drinking pale Lager is the beer most associated with the term “lager,” with visions of this ice cold yellow-gold beer planted firmly in people’s consciousness through television and print advertising.
But many more Lagers await discovery by adventuresome drinkers. The Lager beer list includes styles that span the color spectrum from amber, red and brown all the way to virtually black. The best Lagers offer flavors and mouth-feel from biscuity-crisp and hoppy to chocolaty-smooth and malty. Planning a Lager beer tasting? Separate the beers carefully, as some of these beers are intense in flavor and/or alcohol.
So what is a Lager beer? Easy-drinking pale Lager is the beer most associated with the term “lager,” with visions of this ice cold yellow-gold beer planted firmly in people’s consciousness through television and print advertising.
But many more Lagers await discovery by adventuresome drinkers. The Lager beer list includes styles that span the color spectrum from amber, red and brown all the way to virtually black. The best Lagers offer flavors and mouth-feel from biscuity-crisp and hoppy to chocolaty-smooth and malty. Planning a Lager beer tasting? Separate the beers carefully, as some of these beers are intense in flavor and/or alcohol.
APPEARANCEColor: Pale golden to nearly blackClarity: Most clear, with some styles hazy or opaqueHead: Style-specific – some dissipate quickly, while others leave lacingAROMA AND TASTEMalts: Biscuity, toasty; sweet and chocolaty in some dark stylesHops: Noble hop character in many stylesYeast: Generally neutral, but may provide support to the hop and malt profilesMOUTH-FEELConsistency: Crisp and smoothCarbonation: Round to prickly in most styles, but delicate in stronger styles, such as DoppelbockBody: Light to medium-fullFinish: Average to long
