What is lager beer? Popular varieties in the global market
Lager beer presently leads the worldwide beer market, making up over 90% of total consumption. The reason for this leadership lies in its crisp, pure, approachable profile and, most importantly, its product stability. For global importers and supermarket chains, this dependability is a critical factor, making lager the perfect commodity for large scale production and long distance transport.
This article will provide a comprehensive answer to what is lager beer, examine mainstream commercial lager styles, detail the industrial production process, and delineate the international export standards that A&B Vietnam implements to ship high quality products to 70 markets.
Read more: https://abvietnam.vn/what-is-lager-beer/
Defining lager beer?
Lager beer is a type of beer crafted via the bottom fermenting method with the particular yeast strain Saccharomyces pastorianus. This operation requires precise thermal management methods. The primary fermentation happens at cold temperatures, typically spanning from 7 to 13°C.
Critically, after fermentation, lager is required to undergo a chilled conditioning period known as lagering (from the German word lagern, meaning to keep). This process lasts from 4 to 8 weeks at temperatures approaching 0°C.
This cold lagering phase allows the yeast to settle fully, cleans up volatile compounds (like esters and phenols), and refines the flavor. The result is a beer with a distinctively bright, pure, brisk, thirst quenching, and extremely stable profile, ideal for export.
Differentiating lager and ale
To understand the B2B value of lager beer, importers must to clearly differentiate it from the second main beer family, ale. The fundamental differences lie in the yeast and temperature, that lead significant differences in taste and intended audiences.
| Feature | Lagers (Perfect for large scale export) | Ales (Suitable for niche segments) |
|---|---|---|
| Yeast type | Saccharomyces pastorianus | Saccharomyces cerevisiae |
| Fermenting style | Bottom fermenting | High fermenting |
| Temperature | Low (7 to 13°C) | High (15 to 24°C) |
| Maturation period | Long (Required cold lagering) | Usually quicker |
| Taste character | Clear, brisk, refreshing, consistent | Varied, fruit forward (esters), complex |
| Primary market | Worldwide mass sector, MT channel | Artisanal beer market, hospitality channel |
With its consistent character, refreshing taste, and aptness for mass production, lager is the product that rules the worldwide mass market. However, lager is not a singular product; it is a broad family. For importers, knowing the key commercial lager types will help partners select the right key products to satisfy the specific needs of your target customer groups.

Leading commercial lager beer varieties
The lager beer landscape is extremely varied. With our research and development expertise and modern factory systems, A&B Vietnam can develop, provide OEM solutions, and industrially manufacture all lager types that are in high demand on the international market.
Pale lager
This is the best selling beer type in the world, characterized by its classic pale straw hue and a mild, clean, and easy drinking flavor.
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ABV by volume (ABV) 4% to 6% (Can to be adjusted per OEM requirements).
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Profile harmonious, mild, approachable, crisp finish.
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Appearance pale bright straw.
This is a staple product, comprising the majority of A&B Vietnam’s OEM and large quantity export shipments. The refreshing nature of Pale Lager is perfectly suited for hot climates, such as markets in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Pilsner
Pilsner is a high quality lager type first from the Czech Republic. This variety is notable for its clear golden hue, clarity, and the signature aroma of noble hop varieties (often Saaz).
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ABV by volume (ABV) 4.4% to 5.5%.
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Flavor (IBU) noticeable but balanced bitterness, fragrant hop scent.
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Tier Premium.
Pilsner caters to a consumer group that requires a more developed profile. Our R&D expertise allow us to formulate OEM Pilsner recipes using specific hop types as specified by our import partners.
Dark lager
This style utilizes roasted malts to create a dark brown color. Different from different stout beers (like Stout or Porter), Dark Lager keeps the mellow, crisp aftertaste of a lager and is not excessively full bodied.
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ABV per volume (ABV) 4% to 6%.
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Flavor roasted maltiness, caramel, hints of chocolate.
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IBU Low.
This is an great option for importers looking to diversify their product range. Dark Lager is particularly popular in temperate or cold regions, where customers want slightly more richer tastes.
Bock and doppelbock
These are potent, full bodied lagers coming from Germany, usually amber or deep brown in color. Both are characterized by a very deep and robust malt character.
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ABV per volume (ABV) elevated, Bock (6.3% to 7.5% ABV) and Doppelbock (7.0% to 10% ABV).
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Taste very malt forward, occasionally with a light sweetness.
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Tier premium, specialty.
These styles are suitable for specialty segments, high end placements, or as seasonal offerings, all of these A&B Vietnam can manufacture for OEM special runs.
Non alcoholic lager
This is among the fastest expanding segments in the global beverage market, meeting the wellness or well being trend. For importers, this is no longer a small segment but an critical requirement. This category provides entry to a vast consumer audience, such as people avoiding alcohol for wellness purposes, operators, and especially the whole Islamic market.
With A&B Vietnam’s R&D capabilities, we produce non alcoholic lager beer that maintains the full refreshing taste of traditional lager.
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ABV per content (ABV) 0% to a maximum of 0.5%
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Flavor keeps the signature lager taste but without the alcohol.
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Required certification HALAL
This offering is required when approaching Islamic markets (such as the Middle East) or sales partners specializing on non alcoholic shoppers. A&B Vietnam’s capability to manufacture HALAL compliant non alcoholic beer is a major market advantage for partners.
The export lager beer production process
Understanding the production method helps importers properly assess a manufacturer's capacity. At A&B Vietnam, lager consistency is guaranteed through a controlled 6 step process, operating on a large scale production line at our 40,000m² plant.
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Mashing: Malt and adjuncts are ground and mixed with hot water. Natural enzymes in the malt break down carbohydrates into fermentable sugars (wort).
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Wort separation: The wort (sugar liquid) is filtered from the malt husks (spent grain).
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Wort boiling: The wort is boiled along with hops. This stage sterilizes the wort, reduces it, and critically, infuses IBUs and fragrance from the hops.
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Primary fermentation: The wort is rapidly cooled to 7 to 13°C and the Saccharomyces pastorianus yeast is pitched. The bottom fermentation process occurs gradually, turning sugars to alcohol and CO2.
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Conditioning: This is the key step of a lager. The green beer is moved to conditioning vessels and cold aged (near 0°C) for multiple weeks or months. This refines the profile, clarifies the yeast, and develops its characteristic brightness.
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Filtration and bottling: The ready beer is filtered, charged with CO2, and sent into an automatic filling line (cans, glass, or kegs) prepared for shipment.
Why source lager beer from A&B Vietnam?
Selecting an (OEM/ODM) producer on the international market is decided on more than just the liquid. For importers and supermarket chains, the key factors are dependability, standards compliance, and production capacity. A&B Vietnam, with extensive international history since 1990, is the strategic supplier that meets these high standards.
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Rigorous international standards compliance: We are experts in the import barriers of every region. A&B Vietnam’s factory maintains all required international certifications, such as ISO 22000 and HACCP, FDA (US market), and HALAL. This guarantees your import clearance process is always trouble free.
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Adaptable Research and OEM/ODM expertise: We don't just sell our own beer labels. A&B Vietnam’s specialist R&D team is ready to co develop white brand lager beer formulas according to a client's requirements for ABV per content (ABV), hop level (IBU), hue, and specific taste profiles.
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Established consistent supply and shipping expertise: With a large scale brewery and expertise handling over 1,500+ containers per month, we promise a stable flow of lager (alcoholic and non alcoholic) and ale styles of beer for high volume partners. A&B Vietnam has extensive knowledge in complicated customs and logistics procedures, maintaining beer quality is maintained during international shipping.
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Adaptable B2B packaging solutions: We provide professional packaging solutions for all styles of beer in Vietnam appropriate for all your distribution needs, such as aluminum cans (in standard volumes like 250ml – 330ml – 500ml).
A&B Vietnam is always seeking strategic distributors, import partners, and supermarket group partners around the world. Contact us now to get detailed consultation on OEM options, a cost quotation for lager beer, and details on our market growth assistance programs.
A&B Vietnam

At A&B Vietnam, every drop of beer is crafted with care, using premium ingredients selected to meet international standards. From the essential four to specific adjuncts tailored by style, our beer reflects the harmony of tradition, science, and innovation. Let’s explore what goes into our export beer and how each ingredient contributes to its quality and flavor.
A&B Vietnam (also known as AB Vietnam, A B Vietnam, Ab Vietnam, or abvietnamvn) is a company specializing in the production and export of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It was founded in 1990 by Mr. Nham Tien Dung. With over 30 years of operation, A&B Vietnam has affirmed its position as a leading beverage producer and exporter for companies, supermarket chains, restaurant chains, and trading partners worldwide.
