Home/Blogs/What Is a Lager? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
On those beautiful, balmy sunny days, when you’re drinking one of your favourite lagers, have you ever wondered to yourself, ‘What is a lager?’ You’re absolutely not alone. Lager is one of the most popular types of beer worldwide, famous for its refreshing taste, thirst-quenching properties and easy-drinking nature, going well with a whole variety of food. So, what’s going on behind the scenes to create such a popular drink?
In this guide, you’ll learn what lager actually is, how lager is made, how it compares to other beers like ale and what lager tastes like. We’ll also look at the most common types of lager, so you can get an idea of what to try next.
In short, a lager is a type of beer brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures, resulting in a clean, crisp and smooth taste.
Going into a little more depth, lager is defined by both how its yeast ferments and how it’s then stored. Unlike ales, which use yeast (called Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that rises to the top and ferments at warmer temperatures, lagers use a different strain of yeast (called Saccharomyces pastorianus) that works more slowly and settles at the bottom of the fermenter during the process, typically between 7 and 13°C. It is then stored at low temperatures in a process known as ‘lagering’, which helps develop its smooth, balanced character as it matures.
This slower process is what gives lager its clarity, lighter body and refreshing taste. The name itself even comes from the German word ‘lagern’, literally meaning ‘to store’, reflecting the longer production time that’s inherent to producing a lager.
Lager is produced using a relatively small number of core ingredients; it’s the process itself that takes the time and requires precision. Like most beers, it starts with water (we mostly use Welsh mountain water), malted grains, hops (we often use German melon hops) and the bottom-fermenting yeast that defines a lager. These are combined to create a sugary liquid known as wort, which is then fermented.
One of the key differences with lager occurs at this point. Instead of fermenting at warmer temperatures like ales, the bottom-fermenting yeast instead works more slowly at cooler temperatures, typically between 7 and 13°C. This slower fermentation also leads to fewer by-products, which gives the drink its famous clean, smooth flavour.
This method of fermentation is a vital part of the process, which is then followed by a second essential stage known as ‘lagering’. The beer is stored at near-freezing temperatures for several weeks, or sometimes even months. This allows the flavours to mellow and the beer to become clearer and more refined.
This longer, colder process is why lagers take more time to produce than ales. Ales can be ready in just a few weeks, whereas lagers require more patience. The result is definitely worth waiting for, as anybody who’s sampled our Stirchley Lager will tell you!
Did you know that almost all beers are either a lager or an ale? You now have a good idea of how lager is made, but what about ale? What are the differences and similarities in how it’s produced? Well, for a start, ale uses essentially the same core ingredients.
Where lager uses bottom-fermenting yeast that works at cooler temperatures, ale uses top-fermenting yeast that operates at warmer temperatures, usually between 15 and 24°C. This difference in temperature and yeast behaviour is the key difference in how they’re made, and, as you would expect, has an impact on the look and taste of the finished drink.
In terms of taste, lagers are generally known for being clean, crisp and smooth, while ales tend to be fuller-bodied with more noticeable fruit and complex flavours. When it comes to preference, neither is better than the other. It just comes down to your personal preference and what you’re in the mood for.
Lager is known and loved the world over for its light, crisp and smooth taste, which is why it’s such a popular choice. It is arguably the most popular type of beer globally. It usually has a clean flavour with a mild bitterness, making it refreshing and easy to drink, especially when served cold.
That being said, there’s still some subtle variation across different lager styles. Some are lighter and more subtle, while others can have a bit more depth depending on the ingredients used, particularly the type of malt and hops. This is where the brewer’s skill really makes a difference.
For example, our Stirchley Lager is a clean, balanced lager with a smooth finish and a subtle fruitiness from the hops, giving it a slightly more modern twist while still staying true to that classic crisp character, and it’s also vegan and gluten-free.
Its easy-drinking profile makes lager the go-to for beginners. It’s approachable, not too heavy and a great place to start.
Pale lager is the most common type, and is the one most people will picture when thinking of what a typical lager looks like. As the name suggests, it is light in colour, usually a pale gold, and is known for its refreshing, easy-drinking character. With a clean taste and just a touch of mild bitterness, pale lager is crisp and approachable, making it a popular choice for many different occasions.
Pilsner is a type of lager that originated in the Czech Republic. The name comes from German, meaning ‘from Pilsen’, referring to its origin in Plzeň in Czechia. It is known for its slightly more bitter and hoppy character. While it retains a crisp, refreshing base, it is known for having a bit more bite and flavour. This makes it a great option if you enjoy a lager with a little more edge.
Helles (meaning ‘pale in colour’ or ‘bright’ in German) lager is a traditional Bavarian-style pale lager that is more malty than hoppy. It’s slightly sweeter than other lagers, with a softer bitterness and a smooth, balanced finish. Without getting too technical, Helles lager is still light and refreshing, but with a bit more body, making it great for easy drinking but with a touch more depth.
Lagers aren’t always pale. Dark lager is a richer style made using darker malts to create deeper colour and flavour, ranging from amber to almost black. Despite how it looks, it retains the smooth characteristics of a lager and is surprisingly light to drink. It often has subtle roasted flavours, with hints of chocolate or even caramel, without the heaviness associated with darker beers.
In summary, lager is so popular because it’s simple, reliable and enjoyable. It’s light and easy to drink, widely available in pubs and shops and is reliable in its delivery of a consistent flavour. Served cold, it’s very refreshing and is known for going well with a wide range of foods.
Generally, low-alcohol beers have fewer calories, and are rich in several vitamins and minerals after fermentation, such as B vitamins and polyphenols, both of which provide several health benefits. Health trends, like dry January, see a spike in sales of low-alcohol beers, as those looking to cut down on booze can still enjoy the same taste without worry.
Beers labelled with 0.0% ABV, making them completely free of alcohol, are perfect for designated drivers, and even with up to 1.2% ABV, you won’t suffer from intoxication or a hangover the next day.
If you’re new to lager, start with something balanced and easy to drink. Our Stirchley Lager is a great place to begin. At 4.4% ABV, it’s light, crisp and refreshing, with a clean finish and a subtle citrus edge from the hops. Like all our beers, it’s gluten-free, vegan and brewed using 100% renewable energy, so you can enjoy great beer that’s made responsibly.
We’ve crafted it to feel familiar, but with a bit more character than your standard lager. As a vegan and gluten-free lager brewed in Birmingham, it’s a modern take on a classic style, and an ideal introduction if you’re just getting into lager.
We hope our guide has thoroughly answered the question, ‘What is a lager?’ You can look at our lagers right here on our site, and remember, we offer free delivery on orders over £40 if you’re having a party or are stocking up for BBQ season. You can order online, and we deliver across the UK.
Local to our brewery in Birmingham? Pop into our taproom and sample our range, or take one of our brewery tours to see how the above process works in practice – we’d love to welcome you.
