Beer made with bottom-fermenting yeast and lagered. Lager yeast ferments properly only below 60 degrees F. Cold fermentation tends to produce fewer ester and therefore less and fewer flavors.

The lagering process produces a crisper, "colder" taste.

mbms characterization of lagers is unfair. Many high-quality lagers exist; dark lagers and heavy-bodied lagers, while rare, are a unique and satisfying alternative to craft-brewed ales.

For many decades, lagers dominated the American beer market. This ended (thank God) with the micro- and craft-brewing revolution in the early 1990's, when ales once again became popular.

Perhaps mbm is thinking of the Pilsner style of beer, which is always light-bodied and rather bland. Pilsners are a type of lager, and the qualities of the two are often confused.

La"ger (?), n.

Lager beer.

 

© Webster 1913.