Choosing Between Beer And Lager Beer

Choosing Between 

Beer And Lager Beer

The basic difference between beer and lager classifications involves how they are fermented. All ales use top-fermenting yeast types at warm temperatures, while lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast at cool temperatures.

Lager beer is brewed and conditioned at frigid temperatures. And they can be amber, dark, or pale in color. Pale lager beer is one of the most widely consumed and commercially available styles of beer in the market.

The word ‘lager’ itself comes from the German word for ‘storage’., Specifically because this beer is stored before consumption. Traditionally, lager beer was fermented in cool caves and where it was also stored.

The maturation of most lagers in chilly conditions is distinguished by the use of Saccharomyces pastorianus. It is a ‘bottom-fermenting’ yeast that ferments in a cold climate.

What is Lager Beer?

Lager beer is typically an entry point for new drinkers into the beer world. They are made by using a bottom-fermenting yeast having a lower tolerance to alcohol content. Lager beers normally taste light and are also a bit malty. Classic lager beer examples in the United States include Budweiser, Coors, Miller High Life, and Yuengling.

Lager is one of the most common types of beer found across the world. And thanks to the bottom-fermented techniques, lager beers are refreshing, a little crisp, and less bitter than other types of beer. And they pair perfectly well with snacks.

Lager beers are also described to have a chic flavor profile. This is due to the fact that the yeast used in producing lager beers ferment more sugar.

Lager beers typically tolerate temperatures between 45 and 55°F. These are much lower than other yeast types utilized for brewing ales. This aspect reduces the amount of by-products created during the fermentation process. And it gives increased clarity alongside a much cleaner-tasting beer.

Lagers remain the most popular beer across the world. They are more than light. And this bubbly brew is most often sipped while watching sports. Lagers are also more varied than people think. Lagers are a varied group of cold-fermented beers. And range from abundantly bittered Czech pilsners to crowd-pleasing local beers. Some lagers are smoky and pair perfectly well with BBQ.

It can often be difficult to narrow lagers down as there are many varieties to choose from. These beers come from all parts of the world. However, wade through this carbonated bounty we have compiled. And seek expert advice from industry professionals and a range of distinguished brewers. Here are our picks for the best lagers to try right away.

Best Lager Beer Brands to Choose From

• Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier: This top German golden lager beer brand is one of the most reputed preeminent producers of smoked lagers in the entire world. The Aecht Schlenkerla brewery’s rauchbiers in the 14th century were initially aged in caves for centuries. With 4.3 percent ABV, the smoky tasting notes of hops, Helles Lagerbier drinks crisp and brisk, The gentle smoldering quality of this golden lager comes from copper kettles and house yeast that are used during production. Though the smoke is all pervasive throughout the brew, it never feels overpowering. Your beer mug feels like holding a full-fledged story inside the glass.

• Bohemia Clasica: This best Mexican lager beer contains 4.7 ABV and tastes earthy, fruity, and refreshing. And like many other lagers coming from the region, they are good for stuffing with or without limes and sipping by a beach. There is no need for extra citrus really. This Mexican brewery originally in the 19th century had made the Czech-inspired free spirit. The Bohemia Clasica packs a little more bitterness and powerful flavor than the average Mexican lager. Remember to try it out with tacos and good times.

• Brewery Ommegang Idyll Days Pilsner: This best Belgian lager comes from the New York region. Containing 5 percent ABV, Idyll Days Pilsner features earthy, smooth, and floral tasting notes. This Belgian-style lager beer is a specialty of Brewery Ommegang. It is made with flaked corn and floor-malted European barley. Using the traditional Belgian lager strain it goes through a month-long period of cold-aging before rounding out as a rustic pilsner. This brew is unfiltered and has a light haze. You will love the floral scent of Czech Saaz hops and the flavor of fine drops of biscuits in this beer. Just imagine a crushable and reflective pilsner.

• Coors Banquet Lager Beer: This top American lager comes from the Colorado region. Containing 5 percent ABV, the Coors Banquet features tasting notes of bananas, biscuits, and bread. Adolph Coors founded this brewery in 1873. And the first lager which they rolled out remained an essential beer for generations to come. They all drank Banquet. It is the use of expressive yeast and the long cold fermentation process of 30 days that hold the key to making this crisp lager brew. And don’t forget to search for the subtle note of bananas when you get a chance to take a sip.

• Firestone Walker Pivo Pilsner: This best overall lager comes from the California region of the United States. With 5.3 percent ABV, the Pivo Pilsner features citrus zest, floral, and lemongrass tasting notes. Experts agree that there is no better pilsner brewed in America for your money than Pivo. Note that this beer will satiate your thirst and tickle your hoppy scratch at the same time. This pilsner is the ultimate blend of crisp lager and West Coast hoppy. The innovation and wood cellar lead at WeldWerks Brewing effectively adds a bone-dry and bitter finish to the brew alongside a lightly spicy hop complexity.

• Great Lakes Eliot Ness: This great amber lager comes from the Ohio region of the United States. Featuring 6.1 percent ABV, the Eliot Ness has smooth-tasting notes of mildly sweet bread. Amber lagers are quite often neglected as flashy beers. However, they are among the most pleasing beers in fact. The Great Lakes Eliot Ness is the longest-running best-in-class amber lager. It is named after the famous Prohibition law-enforcement agent in the region. This smooth and mildly sweet lager drink is clean and toasty. Along with a touch of spice and floral hops, it balances perfectly. Don’t forget to pair it with grilled sausages or a pizza crowned with sausage or pepperoni.

• Miller Lite Lager Beer: This best light lager comes from the Wisconsin region of the United States. Featuring 4.2 percent ABV, the Miller Lite comes with clean and smooth-tasting notes of light malt. The Rheingold Brewery in 1966 first introduced the first light-lager beer in America. This 99-calorie beer was called Gablinger’s. However, when the product flopped, the recipe was eventually sold to Miller Brewing. The new company rejigged the formula to create the 96-calorie Miller Lite. It was introduced throughout the United States in 1975 and became a breakaway hit. The taste was great and less filling. Miller Lite still tastes like good old-fashioned beer. It is just what you look for when you are crushing for light beers.

• Narragansett Lager: This best craft beer in America comes from the Rhode Island region. With 5 percent ABV, the Narragansett Lager features clean, crisp, and well-balanced tasting notes. It is a great heritage beer in the United States that was first introduced in 1890. The Narragansett Lager was also the official beer of the Boston Red Sox. Throughout its history, this brew is and was made using Iowa corn. And this snappy lager perfectly hits the hallowed trinity of flavor, value, and refreshment. The Narragansett is for sipping by the six cans while gnawing chicken wings. It also goes well while housing a hot dog or devouring nachos.

• New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Dark Ale: Featuring 6 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of bread, chocolate, and roasted coffee, this dark ale comes from the Colorado region of America. This all-time favorite is a great party beer. The moderate malty flavor of the New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Dark Ale possesses a sweetness that is never overwhelming. It has a smooth finish along with mild bitterness. This is a great drink when you are looking for some damn good lagers.

• Pilsner Urquell: This best pilsner comes all the way from the Czech Republic. Featuring 4.4 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of herbs, spice, and elegant bitterness, the Pilsner Urquell is one of the most influential beers in the world. Debuted in 1842 in the Czech Republic town of Plzeň, it ushered in a golden era of lagers that endures even today. The Pilsner Urquell still retains the top spot of the Pilsner-style lager beers. The native spice and herbal Saaz hops shine in this classic example. And the soft water profile of the beer sets the brewing standards for producers to mime around the globe.

• Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock: This best strong lager beer comes from Germany. Featuring an overwhelming 12 percent ABV along with tasting notes of sherry, cloves, and dark fruit, you would relish to break out for sniffing this slow-sipping German lager even if you were a Scotch fan. The lager undergoes a freezing process to remove water from the brew. This eventually creates a concentrated, mahogany-hued indulgence. As the only true German bock bier, this strong lager with notes of raisin, plum, and spice is a real treat around the holidays. And don’t forget to take your time sipping the lager. Let it warm up to let the aromas and flavors to mature. It gets much better around room temperature.

• Spaten Premium Lager: This best Helles lager comes from Germany. It features 5.2 percent ABV alongside tasting notes of honey, bread, and grass. You will love to stock your fridge with plenty of this pale German lager if you do not fancy hops. Spaten Brewery created the Golden Helles back in 1894. This was in response to the burgeoning popularity of pilsners. And this malty German lager is bready and well balanced along with a hint of honey and grass. As the cornerstone of the Helles style, the Spaten Lager continues to set the standard for all others to judge. 

• Victory Brewing Prima Pils: This best hoppy lager comes from the Pennsylvania region of America. Featuring 5.3 percent ABV, the Prima Pils comes with snappy floral tasting notes of spice along with enhanced aromatics and bitterness. It is made by Pennsylvania’s Victory Brewing using traditional German hops. Get going, just a single sip of the brew is good enough to transport you to your favorite beer garden in Germany.

Which is better? Lager or Ale?

Many people wonder as to which is healthier. Lager or Ale? Ales generally contain more beneficial compounds. Like antioxidants and vitamins. They can provide benefits health wise. Lagers on the other hand are considered to contain fewer calories and are much lighter.

As far as taste is concerned, ales are brighter, richer, and more aggressive. They have a hoppy taste and also contain higher amounts of alcohol.

Which is a smoother beer?

Lager beers tend to be lighter. They have a clear appearance and a lower alcohol content. Alongside a sweeter, and crisp flavor due to higher sugar content. Thanks to the slower fermentation process and cold treatment lagers undoubtedly are smoother than other varieties of beer.

Are lagers more popular than ales?

The answer is yes! Lager beers are the most popular in the world for a variety of reasons. To begin with, they tend to be lighter and crisper than ales. This makes them more refreshing and easier to consume. The intense flavors of ale are a bit too much for many people. Especially when they are going out for a few drinks with friends. Combine this with the pub culture and session drinking to understand why people prefer lagers instead of heavier ales.

Another reason is that lagers have a longer shelf life in comparison to ales. This is because lagers are fermented using a different type of yeast at cooler temperatures. Lagers, therefore, can be stored for longer periods without spoiling or losing flavor.

Lastly, lagers tend to be more affordable as well. This is because making them is a more accessible option for many brewers. All these factors when combined together make lagers more popular among the two on a global scale.

Which beer type gives you a worse hangover?

The answer to this question is your personal experience, the tolerance level, and how much you drink in a session.  Beers with higher sugar content can worsen hangovers. This is definitely something to look for if you would like to avoid the discomfort the next morning. The thumb rule is that darker beers worsen the hangover. So dark ales and stout leave you a lot worse when compared to lighter beers like lagers.

It is in fact pretty difficult to compare pale ales and lager beer. Many people have different experiences with each one of them. You will have to try them out and find out how they differ from each other.

How many varieties of beer are there?

There are many varieties of beers. However, the most prominent types are ales and lagers. Both differ in taste, hop content, and other factors. But the most common distinction between them is the fermentation process and the yeast type.

• Ales are brewed using the top-fermenting yeast.
• Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast.
• Ales generally have a fruitier taste.
• Lagers have a crisper flavor and are not so sweet.

These are the two most prominent differences between ales and lagers.

What is the difference between a Pilsner and Lager?

It is a fact that pilsners are lagers. But equally true that all lagers are not pilsners. Lager beer varieties are commonly processed at low temperatures. They can be amber, dark, or pale yellow in color. Pilsners on the other hand are pale lagers. They are widely consumed and commercially available across the world.

Both pilsners and lagers have unique characteristics, differences, and flavors.

• Lagers are brewed at cooler temperatures using bottom-fermenting yeasts.
• Pilsners originated in the Czech Republic. They are well known for using more aggressive hops.
• Lagers are known for their cleaner and crispy taste.
• Pilsners normally have a spicy taste.
• Lagers contain more alcohol in comparison.
• Pilsners have a lower percentage of alcohol than lagers.

Overall, the taste of lagers and pilsners depends upon the specific brewing process and the ingredients that go into the making.

However, your choice between a pilsner and a lager will depend upon the occasion and personal liking. Anyway, there is a beer out there for you to enjoy, depending upon whether you prefer a clean and crispy hoppy lager beer or a spicy pilsner at that point in time.