There’s nothing that puts a wonderful cap on the day like an ice cold beer, and there are those that would argue that the only thing better is a beer that found its start in the cold. Lager is the perfect combination of these two traits, one of mankind’s oldest fermented beverages combined with a long, slow maturation process in the cold. Lager Day is the perfect time to enjoy this delicious blonde drink and to learn a little bit about the history that sets it apart.
History of Lager Day
Born in the 19th century Bavaria Lager was the result of brewers experimenting with the benefits of storing beer for long periods in cold environments. Brewed using a bottom-fermenting yeast this beer would then be transported to places where the temperature remained low, first in cellars, and then transported to the caves of the Alps. Deep within this frozen cellars of the Earth they would be packed in ice from the mountains or lakes and left to “lager” over the summer. The word Lager itself speaks of this method, being derived from the German word for “to store”, Lagern.
This process allowed all the sediments and yeast to settle to the bottom of the beer, leaving only a clear, crisp golden liquid that had a purity of taste the was unmatched anywhere else at the time. In the 19th century, even this process resulted in a much darker Lager than we’re used to today, partially as a result of the heavier waters of the area, but the refinement of the process lead to the beautiful golden beverage many Lager lovers drink today. For those seeking a more traditional flavor the darker version of this beer, known as Dunkel or Dunkles, can still be found brewed in Bavaria to this day.
How to celebrate Lager Day
While you can get a pale golden lager just about anywhere these days, we suggest taking a trip into the past by getting your hands on Dunkel. Hundreds of years of tradition will accompany you as you imbibe this drink, and you’ll truly understand the roots of a beverage that has become famous all over the world. From there you can try any of the incredible variety of Lagers available on the market today. The process spread all over the world and has resulted in many local varieties and countless different versions. Lager Day is your opportunity to broaden your palette and enjoy the history of one of the world’s favorite beverages.
