International Lager - International Pale Lager
Name
International Pale Lager
Category
International Lager
International lagers are the premium, industrial, mass-market lagers produced in most countries in the world. Whether developed from American or European styles, they all tend to have a fairly uniform character and are heavily marketed. Loosely derived from original Pilsner-type lagers, with colored variations having additional malt flavors while retaining a broad appeal. In many countries, the styles will be referred to by their local country names. The use of the term “international” doesn’t mean that any beers are actually labeled as such, but is more of a categorization of similar beers produced worldwide.
Guidelines
Impression
A highly-attenuated pale lager without strong flavors, typically well-balanced and highly carbonated. Served cold, it is refreshing and thirst-quenching.
Aroma
Low to medium-low grainy-malty or slightly corny-sweet malt aroma. Very low to medium spicy, floral, or herbal hop aroma. Clean fermentation profile.
Appearance
Pale straw to gold color. White, frothy head may not be long lasting. Very clear.
Flavor
Low to moderate levels of grainy-malt flavor, medium-low to medium bitterness, with a crisp, dry, well-attenuated finish. The grain character can be somewhat neutral, or show a light bready-crackery quality. Moderate corny or malty sweetness optional. Medium floral, spicy, or herbal hop flavor optional. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is usually relatively close to even. Neutral aftertaste with light malt and sometimes hop flavors.
Mouth Feel
Light to medium body. Moderately high to highly carbonated. Can have a slight carbonic bite on the tongue.
Comments
Tends to have fewer adjuncts than American Lagers. They may be all-malt, although strong flavors are still a fault. A broad category of international mass-market lagers ranging from up-scale American lagers to the typical “import” or “green bottle” international beers found in America and many export markets. Often confusingly labeled as a “Pilsner.” Any skunkiness in commercial beers is a handling fault, not a characteristic of the style.
History
In the United States, developed as a premium version of the standard American lager, with a similar history. Outside the US, developed either as an imitation of American-style lagers, or as a more accessible (and often drier and less bitter) version of a Pilsner-type beer. Often heavily marketed and exported by large industrial or multi-national breweries.
Ingredients
Two- or six-row barley. May use rice, corn, or sugar as adjuncts, but are generally all malt.
Comparison
Generally more bitter and filling than American Lager. Less hoppy and bitter than a German Pils. Less body, malt flavor, and hop character than a Czech Premium Pale Lager. More robust versions can approach a Munich Helles in flavor, but with more of an adjunct quality.
Entry Instructions
Entrant may specify regional variations, if desired (Mexican lager, Dutch lager, etc.).
Statistics
| Type | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| OG | 1.042 | 1.050 |
| FG | 1.008 | 1.012 |
| IBU | 18 | 25 |
| SRM | 2 | 6 |
| ABV | 4.5 | 6.0 |
Commercial Examples
- Asahi Super Dry
- Birra Moretti
- Corona Extra
- Devils Backbone Gold Leaf Lager
- Full Sail Session Premium Lager
- Heineken
- Red Stripe
- Singha
Tags
- standard-strength
- pale-color
- bottom-fermented
- lagered
- traditional-style
- pale-lager-family
- balanced