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3 0 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9 Lager: a refreshing summer beer FOR THOSE WHO KNOW ME, it's no secret how much I love all types of lager beers. Spring is coming to a close, and soon it will be the dog days of summer. Lagers are the perfect beers for this time of year. Let's look at a few lager styles so that the next time you're making a craft beer purchase, you have some knowledge to make a solid selection. What is a lager? A lager beer is a style of beer that is fermented at lower temperatures than most other types of beers, like ales for example. The minimum temperature at which yeast will convert sugar to alcohol is about 58 degrees, and brewers of lager will aim to get the temperature as close to that as possible. This slows down the chemical processes of fermentation, which contributes to the clean and crisp flavor. Along with the low temperature, lager fermentation uses bottom-fermenting yeast, which is very different from ales. It is these bottom-fermenting yeasts that allow for a more flexible lower temperature. Finally, lagers are cold conditioned for extended periods of time, which helps the beer become crisp and clean. Many craft breweries shy away from producing lagers because of the length of time that a leger spends in a tank, thus slowing down the brewing cycle. Lagers versus pilsners A pilsner is a type of lager that originated in the Czech Republic. Pilsner beers are light in color, ranging from light straw to a golden tan. The floral and spicy hop profile of pilsners have made them a very popular beer style all around the world. When it comes to pilsner beer versus lager beer, remember that pilsner is a just a type of lager, but a bit lighter in color and with a more prominent floral and spicy hop profile. The best lagers made in Georgia This is the part where I get to be subjective. Here are some of my favorite Georgia-produced lagers, in no particular order. • Classic City Lager by Creature Comforts in Athens • Standard Deluxe Lager-style Beer by Wild Heaven in Avondale Estates • Guide Beer by Sweetwater in Atlanta • Lechuza Mexican Lager by Dry County in Kennesaw • Satisfied Local Lager Beer by Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen in Macon There you go, loyal reader! Now, go out and grab some cold, crisp and crushable lager beers to enjoy this summer. – BRIAN WHITLEY IS THE CO-OWNER AND HEAD BREWER AT PIEDMONT BREWERY & KITCHEN IN DOWNTOWN MACON. m L O C A L B U Z Z