variants
or lager beer
plural lagers or lager beers
: a beer (such as a bock or pilsner) that is brewed at cool temperatures by slow fermentation with a slow-acting yeast (especially Saccharomyces pastorianus synonym S. carlsbergensis)
Note: Lagers tend to have a lighter, clearer appearance than ales with a usually lower alcohol content and slightly higher sugar content. The yeast used to ferment lager is often referred to as "bottom-fermenting" since it does not rise to the top of the brewing vessel during fermentation.
Known for being crisper, cleaner and more refreshing than ales, lagers are lighter in body and alcohol while being moderate to high in carbonation.—
Kara Newman
Kara NewmanAll true lagers are aged before consumption. Lager in fact comes from the German word meaning to store.—Dave Martin
Dave MartinLager beer had developed in Central Europe and probably was introduced in the United States by Philadelphia brewer John Wagner …—Donna R. Gabaccia
Donna R. Gabaccia
lagered; lagering; lagers
: to store (beer and especially lager) at cold temperatures during a period of aging often accompanied by a secondary fermentation to improve flavor and clarity
The basic American beer is properly described as "lager," which means that the brew has been fermented in the bottom of a tank and then stored—lagered—for two to six weeks in order to smooth and mellow its flavor.—Anthony Dias Blue
Anthony Dias Blue
lagering
noun
Minimum lagering times are in excess of 21 days, but the premium beers are matured for two to three months.
—Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Examples of lager in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Radha looked down at her lager.
—Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for lager
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Noun
Most evenings call for pilsners, light beers, lagers — products designed for sociability, moderation and steady enjoyment.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Radha looked down at her lager.
—Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
Can lager and horses heal a nation?
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for lager
Cite this Entry
“Lager.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lager. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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