Guide to Lagers - Styles, Flavours, Top Picks
For many people, lager has an unfair reputation.
Walk into any supermarket and you'll often find shelves filled with mass-produced lagers that all taste remarkably similar. It's no surprise that some beer drinkers assume lager is bland, boring or lacking in character.
The truth couldn't be more different.
Lager is the world's most diverse beer family, producing everything from crisp Czech Pilsners and smooth German Helles to rich Dunkels, strong Doppelbocks and the famous Festbiers enjoyed during Oktoberfest.
Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to try an array of lagers from across Europe, but I always find myself coming back to one particular style: German Helles.
For me, two beers perfectly demonstrate what great lager should be: Bayreuther Hell and Augustiner Helles.
Neither relies on extreme bitterness or overpowering flavours. Instead, they're beautifully balanced, with soft bready malt, delicate floral hops and an incredibly clean finish that makes each sip as enjoyable as the last. They're proof that lager doesn't need to be complicated to be exceptional.
If you've only experienced mainstream supermarket lager, this guide may completely change the way you think about one of the world's oldest and most popular beer styles.
Whether you're discovering imported lager for the first time or looking to expand your knowledge, we'll explore the different types of lager beer available in the UK, explain how they're brewed and recommend some of the very best examples available from Beerhunter.
What Is Lager?
Lager is a style of beer brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures than ales.
The word "lager" comes from the German word lagern, meaning "to store."
Historically, brewers stored their beer in cool caves throughout the winter, allowing it to mature slowly over several weeks or even months.
This long period of cold conditioning—known as lagering—creates the clean, smooth and refreshing character that defines the style.
Today, lager accounts for around 90% of beer consumed worldwide, yet within that category are dozens of distinctive styles, each with its own history, flavour profile and brewing tradition.
How Is Lager Brewed?
Although the brewing process begins in much the same way as ale, one key difference changes everything.
Instead of fermenting at warmer temperatures, lager yeast works slowly at around 8–13°C before the beer undergoes several weeks of cold maturation.
This extended conditioning allows unwanted flavours to disappear while encouraging exceptional clarity, balance and drinkability.
The result is a beer that often tastes cleaner, crisper and more refined than many ales.
Premium imported lagers also tend to use traditional brewing techniques that many large-scale breweries have abandoned.
One excellent example is decoction mashing, a historic German brewing method still used by breweries such as Augustiner, Ayinger and Weihenstephaner. It creates deeper malt flavour without adding heaviness, giving beers their distinctive richness and complexity.
It's one of the reasons imported German lagers taste noticeably different from many mass-produced alternatives.
A Tour of the Globe Through Lager
One of the things I love most about lager is how each country has developed its own distinctive interpretation of the style.
Let's take a journey across some of the world's greatest brewing nations.
🇩🇪 Germany – The Home of Helles
If someone asked me where to begin exploring lager, Germany would always be my answer.
German brewers have spent centuries refining lager brewing, producing some of the world's most balanced and technically impressive beers.
Helles
Helles translates as "bright" or "light-coloured."
Developed in Munich in the late 19th century, it was Bavaria's answer to the growing popularity of Czech Pilsner.
Rather than emphasising hop bitterness, Helles focuses on:
- Soft bready malt
- Gentle sweetness
- Floral hop aroma
- Incredible drinkability
It's the style I recommend most often to people who think they don't like lager, and you can find our selection of helles here.
Recommended Beers
- Bayreuther Hell
- Augustiner Helles
- Tegernseer Helles
-
Benediktiner Hell
- Löwenbräu Helles
- Hofbräu Helles
- Ayinger Hell
- Flötzinger Hell
🇨🇿 Czech Republic – The Birthplace of Pilsner
No discussion about lager would be complete without mentioning the Czech Republic.
In 1842, the city of Plzeň changed beer forever with the creation of the world's first golden Pilsner.
Compared with German Helles, Czech Pilsners tend to be:
- More hop-forward
- Slightly drier
- Firmer bitterness
- Pronounced herbal and spicy hop character
Despite the extra bitterness, the very best examples remain wonderfully refreshing.
Recommended Beer
Budweiser Budvar Original Lager
One of the finest Czech lagers available today, Budvar perfectly showcases the balance between rich Moravian malt and aromatic Saaz hops.
You can view our selection of Budvar across all shapes and sizes here.
🇦🇹 Austria – Alpine Precision
Austria has quietly built a reputation for producing exceptionally clean, refreshing lagers.
Their beers often combine German precision with a slightly fuller malt character, making them perfect for everyday drinking.
One of the standout examples available at Beerhunter is:
- Stiegl Goldbräu
It's crisp, refreshing and wonderfully balanced—a great introduction to Austrian brewing.
You can find out more about stiegl here.
🇧🇪 Belgium – More Than Abbey Ales
Belgium may be famous for Trappist ales and lambics, but it also produces some excellent lagers.
The country's approach often combines easy drinkability with subtle malt sweetness.
One of the best-known examples is:
- Jupiler
A clean, refreshing Belgian lager that's become a favourite in bars across Belgium and increasingly popular with UK drinkers.
You can enjoy Jupiler in one of our multipacks, or if your interested in experiencing more of Belgiums prestigious brewing heritage, it can also be found in our Best of Belgian Breweries Craft Beer Mixed Case.
🇺🇸 America – The Craft Lager Revolution
When most people think of American beer, they picture light macro lagers.
But American craft brewing changed that.
One beer, in particular, deserves enormous credit:
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Brewed by the Boston Beer Company, Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped kick-start the American craft beer movement in the 1980s.
With rich caramel malt, noble hops and a crisp finish, it remains one of the finest examples of modern American lager.
It also became famous during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Scotland supporters visiting Boston reportedly drank local bars dry of Samuel Adams Boston Lager.
Now it's available from Beerhunter, giving UK drinkers the chance to experience one of America's most influential beers.
Samuel Adams Boston lager can be found here.
The Most Popular Types of Lager Explained
Not all lagers taste alike.
In fact, the differences between styles can be remarkable.
Let's start with the three styles every lager lover should know.
1. Helles
Origin: Germany
Colour: Pale gold
ABV: Usually 4.7–5.4%
Flavour
Smooth.
Soft.
Malty.
Gentle floral hops.
Incredibly drinkable.
Helles is all about balance.
Rather than chasing extreme bitterness or bold flavours, it rewards careful brewing and high-quality ingredients.
If someone asked me to recommend just one lager style to begin exploring imported beer, Helles would be my answer every time.
Beerhunter Recommendation
⭐ Bayreuther Hell
⭐ Augustiner Helles
2. Pilsner
Origin: Czech Republic
Colour: Golden
ABV: Around 4.5–5.5%
Pilsners build on the clean foundation of lager while adding:
- More hop bitterness
- Herbal aromas
- Crisp, dry finish
If Helles is soft and rounded, Pilsner is sharper and more refreshing.
Beerhunter Recommendation
⭐ Budweiser Budvar
⭐ Rothaus Pils Tannenzäpfle
Which both can be found in our Pilsners Collection.
3. Kellerbier
Origin: Germany
Unlike filtered lagers, Kellerbier is often naturally cloudy.
It offers:
- Fresh bread crust aromas
- Soft malt sweetness
- Light natural carbonation
- Rustic character
Think of it as a bridge between Helles and traditional farmhouse beer.
It's one of Germany's hidden gems and well worth exploring if you enjoy fuller-flavoured lagers.
Beerhunter Recommendation
Top 10 Lagers at Beerhunter
After having the privilege of trying the best part of every single lager we stock here at Beerhunter, these are the brews I'd recommend the most to customers looking to expand their beer tasting palette:
1. Bayreuther Hell
If someone asked me to recommend one lager that captures everything I love about German brewing, this would be it.
Soft malt, delicate floral hops and an unbelievably clean finish make it endlessly drinkable.
It's the beer I come back to time and time again.
2. Augustiner Helles
Munich's oldest independent brewery still produces one of the world's finest Helles lagers.
Elegant, beautifully balanced and effortlessly drinkable.
A classic for good reason.
3. Tegernseer Hell
A cult favourite among lager enthusiasts.
Slightly fuller than some Helles beers, with wonderful malt character and exceptional balance.
4. Menabrea Bionda
Italy's oldest continuously operating brewery produces one of Europe's most elegant premium lagers.
Lightly malty, delicately hopped and wonderfully crisp, Menabrea Bionda delivers exceptional balance with a clean, refreshing finish.
A timeless Italian classic that's every bit as refined as its brewing heritage.
5. Budweiser Budvar
The benchmark Czech lager.
Saaz hops, Moravian malt and outstanding balance.
6. Rothaus Pils Tannenzäpfle
Bright, crisp and beautifully bitter.
A fantastic introduction to German Pilsner.
7. Jupiler Pils
8. Schönramer Hell
Often overlooked but absolutely exceptional.
Soft, floral and incredibly elegant.
9. Giesinger Hell
A modern Munich brewery producing a classic Helles with superb drinkability.
10. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
American craft brewing at its finest.
The caramel malt and crisp finish give it a distinctive personality while remaining incredibly approachable.
It's easy to see why it became one of the unexpected beer stories of the 2026 World Cup when Scotland fans embraced it in Boston.
Conclusion
Lager is far more than just one style of beer—it's an entire world of brewing tradition, craftsmanship and flavour waiting to be explored. From the soft, bready character of a German Helles to the crisp bitterness of a Czech Pilsner, the rich malt of a Dunkel or the celebratory smoothness of an Oktoberfest Festbier, there's a lager to suit every palate and every occasion.
Having explored countless lagers over the years, I always find myself returning to the simplicity and balance of a great German Helles. Beers like Bayreuther Hell and Augustiner Helles remind me that exceptional brewing doesn't rely on bold gimmicks or extreme flavours—it relies on quality ingredients, traditional brewing methods and attention to detail. When those elements come together, the result is a beer that's incredibly satisfying and endlessly drinkable.
If you're only familiar with mainstream lagers, I would encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and discover what traditional brewing can offer. Whether you start with a classic Helles, a world-renowned Budweiser Budvar, or venture into styles such as Kellerbier, Festbier or Bock, you'll quickly discover just how diverse and rewarding the lager family can be.
At Beerhunter, we're passionate about bringing some of the world's finest imported lagers to the UK. Our carefully curated range includes iconic beers from Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium and beyond, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic lager styles brewed by some of the world's most respected breweries.
So next time you're choosing a beer, don't just reach for the familiar. Explore a new style, discover a new brewery and experience why lager remains the world's most popular—and one of its most misunderstood—beer styles.
Browse our full collection of imported lagers and discover your next favourite beer today. 🍺
