Food Encyclopedia

Photo: lager

lager

Lager is a light, bubbly general style of beer that ranks as America's most popular. Originally lager was stored and aged (lagered) in its cask or vat for one to three months until free of sediment and crystal clear, after which carbonation was added and the beer was bottled. Modern production techniques now complete this process much more quickly. Lager can range from classic American everyday beer to crisp pilsners to super-dark European lagers meant for aging. They can be all over the map in terms of flavor, too, but they’re generally crisp and refreshing, the perfect pair for comfort classics, spicy food or backyard barbecues.