lager

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noun

la·​ger ˈlä-gər 

variants or lager beer

plural lagers or lager beers

: a beer (such as a bock or pilsner) that is brewed at cool temperatures by slow fermentation with a slow-acting yeast (especially Saccharomyces pastorianus synonym S. carlsbergensis)

Note: Lagers tend to have a lighter, clearer appearance than ales with a usually lower alcohol content and slightly higher sugar content. The yeast used to ferment lager is often referred to as "bottom-fermenting" since it does not rise to the top of the brewing vessel during fermentation.

Known for being crisper, cleaner and more refreshing than ales, lagers are lighter in body and alcohol while being moderate to high in carbonation.

—Kara Newman

All true lagers are aged before consumption. Lager in fact comes from the German word meaning to store.

—Dave Martin

Lager beer had developed in Central Europe and probably was introduced in the United States by Philadelphia brewer John Wagner …

—Donna R. Gabaccia

lager

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verb

lagered; lagering; lagers

transitive verb

: to store (beer and especially lager) at cold temperatures during a period of aging often accompanied by a secondary fermentation to improve flavor and clarity

The basic American beer is properly described as "lager," which means that the brew has been fermented in the bottom of a tank and then stored—lagered—for two to six weeks in order to smooth and mellow its flavor.

—Anthony Dias Blue

lagering noun

Minimum lagering times are in excess of 21 days, but the premium beers are matured for two to three months.

—Michael Jackson

Examples of lager in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This 7,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor brewery has 20 taps with a mix of lagers, ales, ambers, blondes and IPA craft beers, along with a full kitchen with menu item like burgers, ceviche and vegetarian options. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023

Like ales, lagers can be light or dark depending on how the grain malt is roasted. —Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

The Dutch company’s organic volume growth in beers fell 4.2% although revenues for the third quarter grew 2%, which could be attributed to a combination of higher prices and stronger sales in its expensive lagers. —Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023

Laura: One entrepreneur even marketed woke free ultra-right lager for $20 a six pack as a replacement. —The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023

Brewer Russell Carpenter has invited 16 Virginia breweries to bring a favorite style of lager, including Black Narrows, Ocelot, Dynasty and Cedar Run. —Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023

Mexican lager counters the beef’s bold heat not by being equally big, but by being unshakable, easy, and mild—the perfect palate cleanser. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023

Effective January, the company behind the low-calorie lager announced that Bud Light will have exclusive rights to become the official beer in the United States of the UFC, the world’s premier organizer of mixed martial arts that boasts such stars as tattooed Irish brawler Conor McGregor. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2023

Bud Light replaces Modelo as UFC’s beer sponsor, the Mexican lager that has dethroned Bud Light from its title of America’s top-selling beer. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 25 Oct. 2023

Verb

Can lager and horses heal a nation? —Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

German Lagerbier beer made for storage, from Lager storehouse + Bier beer

First Known Use

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lager

• lager lout
• lager beer

• lager lout
• lager beer