Lagers are the most popular beers in the world, and for good reason. Their crisp drinkability and generally low alcohol volume make them ideal for practically any occasion, but there’s much more to them than approachability.
Lagers, like ales, are categories of beer, differentiated by fermentation temperatures and yeast strains, with plenty of styles that fall under each. Popular lager styles include American light lagers like Bud Light, Mexican lagers like Modelo, Märzens (similar to Oktoberfest beers), and Pilsners, which originate from Pilsen, a town in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. One of the most famous examples of a classic pilsner is Pilsner Urquell, which has been brewed since 1842 by the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
Pilsners themselves have a few different subcategories, such as German, Italian, Australian and New Zealand, and Mexican, but all are generally light yellow to gold, around 5% alcohol-by-volume (ABV), and use Pilsner malts to give the brews a signature grainy and lightly sweet flavor with a bubbly, dry finish and low bitterness. Most Pilsners tend to have a slightly more robust — but still crisp — mouthfeel and hop bitterness than other light lagers. Pilsner malts are sometimes used in other styles, such as Czech dark lagers, but more to harmonize alongside other malts rather than act as the sole player. In short, all Pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are Pilsners.
Still unsure about what makes a pilsner different from a lager? Think of it in wine terms. All Chardonnays are white wines, but not all white wines are Chardonnays. But if you like Chardonnay, there’s a chance you’ll like other white wines in the same realm, such as Viognier, Pinot Grigio, or Chenin Blanc. If you enjoy Pilsners, you may enjoy other lagers such as Munich Helles, Czech amber lagers, or German bocks.
Despite the longer fermentation time it takes for lagers to fully attenuate, craft breweries across the U.S. are brewing Pilsners on par with some of the most celebrated European breweries. Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, California has brewed Pivo Pils since 2013, where it’s remained a core beer ever since. pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon goes even further, brewing Belgian, Italian, North German, classic Czech and even a West Coast take on the style.
West Coast Pilsners are relatively new, with breweries like Highland Park, North Park Beer Company, and SteepleJack Brewing trying their hand at the slightly hoppier (it is a “West Coast” style, after all), but still refreshing taste that falls somewhere between a Pilsner and IPA — basically, it’s Lager2.0. Whatever it is, it’s delicious, and Pilsners in all forms are here to stay.
FAQs
Most Pilsners tend to have a slightly more robust — but still crisp — mouthfeel and hop bitterness than other light lagers. Pilsner malts are sometimes used in other styles, such as Czech dark lagers, but more to harmonize alongside other malts rather than act as the sole player.
What is the difference between a pilsner and lager? ›
Pilsners tend to be crisper, hoppier, and spicier than lagers. Lagers are bottom-fermenting beers that ferment in cold temperatures. Some of the most popular lager types are dunkle, helles, and bock. The pilsner was first brewed in 1842 in the Czech Republic city of Plzeň.
What is the difference between lager and beer? ›
Lager is just one type of beer and it doesn't share the same properties and, of course, taste the same as other types of beer. If you order a lager, you'd get exactly that – a beer that's brewed at a cool temperature using bottom-fermenting yeast.
Which is lighter, a pilsner or a lager? ›
Pilsner is also typically lighter in colour and has a crisper, cleaner taste than other lagers. What truly sets apart pilsner beer is that it is the world's first pale lager, a far cry from the dark and murky versions that came before it.
What's the difference between beer types? ›
The two points of differentiation between these major beer classifications is the type of yeast and fermentation process. Ales are fermented with top-fermenting yeast at warm temperatures (60˚–70˚F), and lagers are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at cold temperatures (35˚–50˚F).
What makes a beer a pilsner? ›
Pilsner is brewed with pilsner malt and lager yeast, which is bottom-fermenting and distinguishes lagers from ales. Lightly kilned malted barley, spicy hops that so define the aroma and flavor of this style, lager yeast, and soft water are all that's needed for the skilled brewer to produce a fine pilsner.
Is Budweiser a pilsner or a lager? ›
Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp American-style lager. It is brewed with the best barley malt and a blend of premium hop varieties.
What makes it a lager? ›
The term lager is used to denote beer produced from bottom-fermenting yeast. Lagers are distinguished from ales, or top-fermented British types of beer. Bottom-fermented lagers have their origins in continental Europe.
What makes lagers taste different? ›
So why does lager taste so different to ale? The primary reason is that lager yeast ferments at a lower temperatures, which takes longer. Similarly, it takes longer for the flavours to settle out after fermentation has happened.
What is the difference between a pilsner and a pale ale? ›
So what's the difference between a pilsner and a pale ale? Perhaps the most distinguishable difference between the two beer styles is that pale ales tend to be more bitter, maltier (and more hoppy) than its pilsner counterpart. Pilsners on the other hand tend to have a cleaner and crisper taste than pale ales.
Most Pilsners tend to have a slightly more robust — but still crisp — mouthfeel and hop bitterness than other light lagers.
Is Corona a pilsner or lager? ›
The brand's most popular variation is Corona Extra, a pale lager. It is one of the top-selling beers worldwide, and Corona Extra has been the top-selling imported drink in the U.S. since 1998.
Is Coors a lager or pilsner? ›
Coors Light is an American-style light lager beer, first introduced in the 1940s but stopped production at the beginning of World War II. Coors Light was reintroduced 44 years ago. The flavor is light, and the calories and the bitterness are low.
What lagers are pilsners? ›
However, outside of the Czech Republic, Czech-style Pilsner is synonymous with any such lager beers (including any Czech brand) – for example Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar, Gambrinus, Kozel, Radegast, Staropramen, Starobrno and Krušovice.
What is the difference beer lager? ›
Lager is a German word that translates as “storage,” which gives a hint as to its method of brewing. Lagers are beers that are ferment slowly at low temperatures. They also ferment from the bottom up. Ales ferment quickly from the top down and are brewed in a warm environment.
Is IPA a lager? ›
IPA stands for India Pale Ale. It is, quite obviously, an ale. This is an ale that is heavy on the hops, and usually has a high alcohol content. According to TIME, they can be fruity, citrusy or herbal, depending on the type of hops used.
Is Heineken A pilsner or a lager? ›
Heineken
| Current export bottle |
|---|
| Introduced | 1873 |
| Alcohol by volume | 5.0% |
| Colour | 7 EBC |
| Style | Pale lager |
8 more rowsIs Guinness a stout? Yes, Guinness is the world's most popular stout. A stout is a category of beer which is best known for its rich dark colour and distinctive creamy head.
