Lager beers are
alcoholic beverages of
German origin, taking their name from the
German lagern ("to store"). Brewed principally from malt (no sugar),
hops and water using bottom-fermentation (the yeast flocculates to the bottom of the vat), they are then stored in refrigerated cellars for lagering (or maturing and clarification). Lagers are stored at a low temperature for several months, clearing, acquiring mellowness, and becoming charged with
carbon dioxide. Many popular beers are lagers. There are
bitter and
aromatic varieties (noble hops).
Most lagers are of pale to medium colour, with high carbonation, medium hop flavour, and alcohol content of 3-5 percent by volume.
Common lagers