What is a Lager?

Lager originates from the German word lagern which means 'to store' – it refers to the method of storing it for several months in near-freezing temperatures.

A lager, which can range from sweet to bitter and pale to black, is usually used to describe bottom-fermented brews of Dutch, German, and Czech styles. Most, however, are a pale to medium colour, have high carbonation, and a medium to high hop flavour.

Lagers are 56% of all beer sold in Canada.

Here are some of the most popular types of lagers:

Pale Lager

Mainly all mass produced American beers. They all have the same basic taste and strength. Light, airy, and thirst quenching. Best at very cold temperatures.

Pilsner or Pilsener

Made with neutral and hard water. Tend to be golden in colour with a dry, crisp, and somewhat bitter flavour. Pilsner stands out from other lagers due to its more distinctive hop taste.

Oktoberfest Märzen

Stronger than Pilsner, it has a darker colour, often referred to as amber, and is more malty and chewy than Pilsner. The fall months are the best for this type of beer.

Bock

A strong beer in taste and alcohol. These beers generally have a sweet maltiness to them that’s very pleasing. They are brewed, both light (in colour, that is) and dark varieties. You might also see them listed as "Heller-Bock" (Heller is German for light) and "Dunkel-Bock" (Dunkel German for dark).

Doppelbock

Stronger than Bock, this version has even more body, is more malty, and is even more chewy than regular Bock. It’s generally dark with more caramel and chocolate malts.

Munich Dark/Pale

The Munich brewers traditionally produce dark lagers, with a spicy malt-coffeeish palate.