American Lager Flashcards
1
Q
American Lager
Category
A
- Standard American Beer
2
Q
American Lager
Overall Impression
A
- Very pale
- Highly carbonated
- Light bodied
- Well attenuated
- Very neutral flavor profile
- Low bitterness
- Served very cold
3
Q
American Lager
Aroma
A
- Low to no malt aroma (can be perceived as grainy, sweet, or corn-like if present)
- Light to no hop aroma
- Spicy or floral hop presence
- Clean fermentation character is desirable
4
Q
American Lager
Appearance
A
- Very pale straw to medium yellow color
- White, frothy head seldom persists
- Very clear
5
Q
American Lager
Flavor
A
- Relatively neutral palate
- Crisp and dry finish
- Moderately-low to low grainy or corn-like flavor (might be perceived as as sweetness due to the low bitterness)
- Moderately-low to no hop flavor
- Medium-low to low hop bitterness
- Balance relatively even between malt and bitter
- High levels of carbonation may accentuate the crispness of the dry finish
- Clean lager fermentation character
6
Q
American Lager
Mouthfeel
A
- Medium-low to low body
- Very highly carbonated
- Slight carbonic bite on tongue
7
Q
American Lager
Comments
A
- Strong flavors are a fault
- Often what non-craft beer drinkers think of when ordering a “beer” in the US
- May be marketed as Pilsners outside of Europe, but should not be confused with traditional examples
8
Q
American Lager
History
A
- Modern American Lager style was heavily influenced by Prohibition and World War II.
- Surviving breweries consolidated, expanded distribution, and heavily promoted a beer style that would appeal to as many people as possible
- Dominant beer style for many decades
9
Q
American Lager
Characteristic Ingredients
A
- Two- or six-row barley
- High percentage (up to 40%) of rice or corn as adjuncts
10
Q
American Lager
Style Comparison
A
- Stronger, more flavor and body than Light American Lager
- Less bitterness and flavor than an International Lager
- Significantly less flavor, hops, and bitterness than traditional European Pilsners
11
Q
American Lager
Vital Statistics
A
- IBUs: 8 - 18
- SRM: 2 - 4
- OG: 1.040 - 1.050
- FG: 1.004 - 1.010
- ABV: 4.2 - 5.3%
12
Q
American Lager
Commercial Examples
A
- Budweiser
- Coors Original
- Grain Belt Premium Lager
- Miller High Life
- Pabst Blue Ribbon
- Special Export
