What is lager?
Most beer drinkers think of lager as a refreshing and light beer of around 5%. Although not wrong, lager is actually a collective name for bottom-fermenting beer styles, where the colour varies from dark brown to light blonde and the ABV reaches up to 10%.
The name is to do with how this beer style is stored. In fact, the word lager derives from German, meaning "warehouse". In order to to preserve the smooth and balanced tones of lagers, beers of this nature are kept in the cold for a period ranging from 1 to 3 months.
Lagers are commonly, although not always, lighter in colour. See our article about dark beers. Lagers tend to have a clear colour and a white foam, with bubbles that rise to the surface. We suggest drinking them as fresh as possible to enjoy them at their best.
What are the biggest lager brands?
Amstel, Heineken, Birra Moretti, and SOL are all popular lager brands. At Beerwulf, we have BLADE kegs, BeerTender kegs and SUB kegs all available.
One of the most popular lagers in the UK is definitely Birra Moretti, with its unique taste and particular blend of hops and fine malts - you'll find it everywhere!
Every list of popular lagers must mention the world famous, Heineken! This Dutch icon is a real crowd-pleaser and is found in almost every pub across the UK.
Similarly, Desperados, the full-bodied lager enriched with the taste of tequila, is a must-try in the summer months.
More on lager
If you're interested in reading more about what a lager actually is and the differences between lager and pilsner then read, Is lager a beer? Or, check out Czech Pilsner for the inside scoop on the Czechs and their long history with beer.