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

Corona, a pale lager owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, began at a brewery in Mexico City in 1922. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

The special edition can of lager from Phoenix Beer Co. and The Nile Theater may be purchased exclusively at the theater beginning the week of May 1. —Lux Butler, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

The outlets also serve margaritas, piña coladas and Puesto’s own Mexican-style light lager beers. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024

McEvoy says the bar sold more than 18,000 pints of Guinness last year, more than double its next most popular drink, Camden Hells lager. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 16 Mar. 2024

The Kolsch is a sweet and refreshing low-alcohol lager with nice effervescence. —Jay R. Brooks, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

Among them were lagers, lambic beers, tripels, blonde ales, non-alcoholic beers and fruit beers. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024

Notch offers those tasty German lagers, plus something unique but increasingly popular: low- and no-alcohol beers like the tropical flavor-forward, non-alcoholic hazy IPA. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2024

Add the achiote seasoning, mix well until the mixture starts turning a light orange color, then splash in the Mexican lager. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024

Verb

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

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 beer
• lager lout