How to Identify Lager-Style Beer

Although it was created centuries after the first ale was brewed, lager has become the most popular style of beer in the world. The main difference between the two styles is the way they're brewed. Lager yeast ferments at colder temperatures than ale yeast and settles at the bottom of the brewing vessel instead of the top. Because of its popularity, lager is also widely available and easily identified by a few basic characteristics.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look at the beer's color and hue. Although some lagers are as dark as ale, most varieties have a pale hue and golden color that falls somewhere between yellow and amber.

2. Taste the beer to get an overall impression of its flavor, body and mouth feel. Light lagers are carbonated and should have a crisp, dry taste. The best lagers are refreshing enough to quench thirst.

3. Determine how hoppy the beer's flavor is. Like ales, lagers are made from three main ingredients: malted grain, hops and yeast. But their flavor is much simpler. The taste of the hops should be subtle and blend well with the other flavors.

4. Check the beer's bitterness. Standard lagers have very low bitterness as determined by the International Bitterness Units scale. Light American varieties like Budweiser or Miller fall near the very bottom of the scale.

5. Find out how much alcohol is in the beer by volume. Lagers rarely have more than 5 percent alcohol by volume and may even have as little as 3.5 percent, depending on the variety.

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