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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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