OnTap Magazine

ontapmag.co.za | Winter 2025 | 35 L ager: that most ubiquitous of beers. Its universal appeal lies in an easy drinking, refreshing approachability that appeals to a wide audience of young and old drinkers alike. Originating in Bavaria, Germany as far back as the 15th Century, the Reinheitsgebot, the German Purity Law of 1516, decreed that beer should only be brewed using barley, hops and water. Over the years brewing methods evolved to include yeast. The first Pilsner was crafted in Pilsen, Czech Republic in 1842 and led to this style spawning many imitators. Today, lager dominates the global beer market, accounting for 90% of all beer consumed worldwide. The distinct flavour profiles of lagers and ales are defined by the differing yeast strains used during the brewing process. Lagers are brewed with bottom- fermenting yeast and fermented at cold temperatures, typically for 4–6 weeks. In contrast, ales use top-fermentingyeast and are fermented at warmer temperatures for a shorter duration—sometimes just a few days. Lagers make excellent gateway beers for young drinkers entering the world of alcohol for the first time, and are growing in popularity with aging craft beer lovers who are looking to limit their alcohol intake but continue to support their favourite brewery. Before the American craft beer revolution, mass-produced light lager dominated the American beer scene, however, a wide variety of lager styles exist around the world offering a strength and flavour to suit any palate. In fact, lager is not a style in and of itself but rather a family of styles. This year, the World Beer Cup will judge 20 distinct lager styles and 21 sub-styles. For the first time ever, Italian- style Pilsner will have its own dedicated category. At the World Beer Cup, lager styles range from pale light Zwickelbiers, to dark Czech Lager; from low-strength Gose to high-strength Eisbocks; from light-bodied Berliner Weisse to full bodied Doppelbock, and everything in between. American craft brewers are celebrated for their pioneering spirit and innovative approach to brewing. Today, they continue to push boundaries by experimenting with new hop varieties, new brewing techniques, and different yeast strains. Exploring the evolving world of lagers through insights from the key players offers a fascinating glimpse into this dynamic craft and where it might be heading in the future. Let’s take a look…. The story of American craft lager began in 1984 when Jim Koch established the Boston Beer Company and used a 150-year-old family recipe to produce Samuel Adams Boston Lager. This rich, full-bodied lager introduced the American beer drinker to a world of complex flavour that rivalled European imports of the time. Today, pints of Boston Lager are found across America as well as further afield, and Koch personally tastes each batch to meet quality standards. According to Shelley Smith, R&D brewing and operations at Boston Beer Co., the success of Sam Adams Boston Lager comes down to this meticulous attention to detail and the high quality of its raw ingredients. John McElhenny, senior brand manager, Samuel Adams, highlights the enduring appeal of Boston Lager adding; “Boston Lager has always been a hit with drinkers of all backgrounds, especially our most loyal fans who are a bit older (40-55+) and male. They helped kickstart the craft beer revolution with Jim Koch 40 years ago and remain loyal to this day.” Both Smith and McElhenny anticipate continued growth in craft lagers, particularly within the light lager category. McElhenny says, “We recently launched American Light to target younger drinkers who prefer lighter flavours. It's an American-style lager with the quality you expect from Sam Adams, but with a refreshing, crisp taste that younger drinkers love!” Heading down the East coast to Norfolk, Virgina, in 2015 The Bold Mariner Brewing Co, opened its doors with a mission to always brew clean, crisp and easy-drinking beers. “It’s consistency and reliability of product that keeps patrons returning day in day out,” claims Kerrie Stacks, co- owner of the brewery. “We now have a well-established flagship line-up, seasonal releases that people look forward to and the odd experiment.” The brewery is located next to the world's largest naval base and frequented