Lagers are great for summer; there's something refreshing and pleasant about an ice cold lager on a ... [+]
Summer is hot and that means beer sales are up. According to the National Beer Wholesalers Association, beer sales during May-August account for 40% of total yearly beer sales and many of those are lagers. With the bevy of craft, imported and macro options for lagers, this is an excellent time to imbibe and try some new to you thirst quenching beers. So fill the cooler and set out to the mountains, beach, pool or wherever you hang out and stay cool this summer.
What exactly is a lager? A lager is a class of beer that differs from an ale because of two things: time and temperature. Lagers are fermented cooler than ales and after primary fermentation, lagers are conditioned for a period of weeks to months at near freezing temperatures to allow for clarification and other factors before packaging. Lagers can be any color and any ABV, just like ales. Did you know that all the top selling beer styles in America are lagers? Some of the most popular are American Light Lager Bud Light or the Mexican Lager Modelo Especial, both of which are owned by the same company, ABInBev.
I’ve chosen some of my favorite lagers for summer but it’s also wise to consult your local beer shop for their favorite local options. Lagers are becoming quite popular so you may be surprised at the variety.
Perhaps the best $8 you'll ever spend, Bitburger German pilsner is a great beer to bring to ... [+]
The budget option at $8 for four cans, Bitburger is a mass-produced German pilsner that’s a great beer to bring to parties and the 500 mL can means you’re getting just a smidge (0.9 oz.) more than the normal 16 U.S. oz. cans. It’s incredibly popular in Germany and one of the most recognized brands there.
Oregon based pFriem makes one of the most award winning pilsners in America.
Hood River, Oregon’s pFriem Family Brewers are one of Oregon’s best breweries and their classic German pilsner is refreshing with a lovely dry, herbal finish. One of the great backpack beers of the Pacific Northwest; this beer has won gold for best pilsner three years running at the Oregon Beer Awards.
A macro mainstay, Miller Lite has been a summer staple since its release in the 1970s.
A popular macro on a beer list of lagers to drink? Why not?! It’s my go-to when I’m at the local dive bar and Miller Lite has a flavor that is slightly reminiscent of European lagers more-so than its Coors or Bud friends. It’s also the easiest to find as it was the fourth best-selling brand of 2022 as per Drizly sales.
Von Trapp's lagers are world class and the fact that they make a year round dark lager is exciting.
Who says dark beers can’t be refreshing? This is my favorite easy to find dark lager and it’s perfect for nights around the campfire or watching the sunset. Von Trapp’s lager beers, brewed in Stowe, Vermont, are all very high quality. And yes, if you are wondering, the brewery is owned by the same Von Trapp family that inspired the musical and movie The Sound of Music.
Victory Prima Pils
Prima Pils is readily available on the East Coast and one of the most solidly made pilsners on the market. Floral, dry and semi-bitter, this golden lager has a 99 rating from Beer Connoisseur. A 12 pack of these in a cooler will make you the hero for sure on a sweltering hot day.
So stay cool this summer with these great lager options; it’s the summer of lager so get out and celebrate accordingly. Cheers!