Know Your Lager Styles!

Profiles of Popular Lager Styles

Lager beer is produced from a bottom fermenting yeast. It is fermented at lower temperatures than ale and goes though a long second stage aging at near freezing temperatures. Lager yeast is more aggressive than ale yeast yielding a drier beer with almost no flavor or aroma contributed by the yeast itself. The result is a simple, clean beer. Lagers are typically served cold.

Pilsner

Easily the most popular beer styles in the world, this Czech creation was perfected by German brewers in the mid 19th century making it also one of the youngest beer styles. Pilsner is marked by a pale straw color. It generally has a subtle, grainy nose and pronounced bitterness from Noble hops.

Further Reading for Pilsner

• Pilsner Profile
• History of Pilsner

Commercial Examples of Pilsner

• Pilsner Urquell
• Warsteiner
• New Belgium Brewing Company’s Blue Paddle

Homebrewer stats: OG: 1.044 – 1.056 IBU: 35 - 45

Bock

Bocks are rich and malty. They typically have low hops giving the barley a chance to shine. They have a dark brown or amber color.

Further Reading for Bock

• Bock Profile
• History of Bock

Commercial Examples of Bock

• Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkles
Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
• Ayinger Celebrator
• Spaten Optimator

Homebrewer stats: OG: 1.064 – 1.072 IBU: 20 -27

Oktoberfest

Somewhere between Pilsner and bock is Oktoberfest. Germans typically refer to this style as Marzen. The name Oktoberfest has come to be applied to this style because it is served at the festival of the same name. Typically brewed in March then lagered until September in time for the celebration, this malty beer is nicely hopped with Noble hops.

Further Reading for Oktoberfest

• Oktoberfest Profile
• History and Information About the Oktoberfest Festival Itself

Commercial Examples of Oktoberfest

• Paulaner Oktoberfest
• Spaten Oktoberfest

Homebrewer stats: OG: 1.050 – 1.056 IBU: 20 – 28

Dunkel

Smooth and gentle, dunkel is marked by subtle malty flavors. With even subtler Bavarian hops – often the same hops used in weizen – this understated beer is very drinkable.

Commercial Examples of Dunkel

• Dinkle Acker Dark
• Capital Munich Dark

Homebrewer stats: OG: 1.046 – 1.052 IBU: 22 - 32