History

One of the world's oldest prepared alcoholic drinks, beer dates back thousands of years. Evidence of the earliest constructed alcoholic drinks, found in the Raqefet Cave in Israel, suggests that semi-nomadic Natufians crafted beer approximately 13,000 years ago. This unique beer held characteristics similar to gruel and was likely used for feasts, rituals, and general use when clean drinking water became scarce. The production of beer involves the fermentation of sugar-containing substances, which could be anything from fruits and grains to vegetables like potatoes and sugar canes. Much of the drinking water available to early civilizations carried various bacteria and organisms that made people ill. Because of this, many cultures independently discovered how to brew beer during the agricultural revolution in 10,000 B.C. due to gathering large quantities of grain and accidently fermenting it. Thanks to this happy accident, modern cultures continue to brew new unique and refreshing beers to liven up parties and relax.

How Lager is Made

Lagers brewing process takes longer than ales since they require colder temperatures and utilize European lager or Pilz malts for their wort. Brewers start the fermentation process by pitching the wart and yeast at low temperatures to ensure a clean and clear base. The lager yeast added to them ferments at the bottom of the batch and sits at temperatures from 48-55°F for up to 7-10 days. Brewers then remove as much of the excess ingredients, which can lead to unwanted flavors, as possible before transferring it to cold storage. The resulting mixture gets left to lager in cold storage for three to four weeks or more, depending on the characteristics brewers seek. During this process, called diacetyl rest, the beer loses unwanted flavors that the yeast produces during fermentation. The beer then goes into its lagering phase where much of the unwanted material falls to the bottom of the beer. Once this excess material gets removed and the beer reaches the taste and consistency desired, brewers bottle them up and send the batches out to be enjoyed!

Types of

• Pilsner - Originally brewed in the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic, Pilsners are light in color and have a crisp, refreshing taste with a moderate hop bitterness and a slightly sweet finish. They are typically made with lighter malts and Saaz hops.
• Helles - Helles is a pale lager that originated in Munich, Germany. It has a light golden color and a slightly sweet, malt forward flavor. The hops used in Helles lagers are usually mild, with a low bitterness.
• Dortmunder - Dortmunder is a golden lager that originated in the city of Dortmund, Germany. It has a balanced malt and hop profile, with a slightly sweet, biscuity flavor and a moderate bitterness. Dortmunder lagers are typically brewed with Pilsner malt and German noble hops.
• Vienna - Vienna lagers originated in Vienna, Austria, and are characterized by their amber color and toasty, slightly sweet flavor. They are typically brewed with Vienna malt, which gives the beer its distinctive color and flavor.
• Märzen - Märzen is an amber lager that was traditionally brewed in March and stored in cool cellars throughout the summer, hence the name "Märzen" which means "March" in German. It has a rich, malty flavor with a hint of sweetness and a medium body. Märzen lagers are often brewed with Munich malt and noble hops.
• Bock - Bocks are strong, dark lagers that originated in Germany. They have a rich, malty flavor with hints of caramel and a slightly sweet finish. Bocks are typically brewed with a combination of Munich and Vienna malts, which give the beer its dark color and rich flavor.
• Dunkel - Dunkel is a dark lager that originated in Bavaria, Germany. It has a rich, toasty flavor with hints of chocolate or coffee and a medium body. Dunkel lagers are usually brewed with Munich malt, which gives the beer its dark color and rich flavor.
• Schwarzbier - Schwarzbier is a black lager that originated in Germany. It has a smooth, roasted flavor with a medium body and a low to moderate hop bitterness. Schwarzbiers are typically brewed with dark malts, which give the beer its distinctive color and flavor.
• Rauchbier - Rauchbier is a smoked lager that originated in Bamberg, Germany. It has a distinct smoky flavor that comes from using malt that has been dried over an open flame. Rauchbiers can have a range of flavors, from mild to intensely smoky, and are typically brewed with Pilsner or Vienna malt.
• Baltic porter - Baltic porters are strong, dark lagers that originated in the Baltic region of Europe. They have a rich, complex flavor with hints of chocolate and coffee and a full body. Baltic porters are typically brewed with dark malts and fermented with lager yeast, which gives the beer its smooth, clean finish.