Premium American Lager 1C

Back to my blogs on the BJCP beer styles.  Next up Premium American Lager, the big brother of the American Lagers.  These beers have a little more of everything flavor, color and hops.  This encompasses both the premium beers from the mass produced American brewers and the quality import lagers.  Most importantly though is that these beers still remain thirst quenching and clean.  Still considered a lawnmower beer, but it is for a more discerning palate.

Aroma:  Low to medium-low malt aroma, a slight grainy, sweet, corn-like aromas are acceptable.  Hops are low to medium-low, with some spicy, floral aroma.  Low levels of yeast are acceptable.

Appearance:  Pale straw to golden color.  White, frothy head.  Clear.

Flavor:  Crisp and dry with some grainy,  sweetness acceptable.  Hops are none to low levels.  Balance is fairly even between bitterness and malt, can be slightly to either side.  Hop bitterness is none to medium-low.  Carbonation levels can provide a slight acidity.  No diacetyl or fruitiness.

Mouthfeel:  Medium-light body from adjunct usage, corn and rice are usual.  Highly carbonated causing a carbonic bite.

Comments:  Refreshing and thirst quenching.  Two or six row barley with up to 25% rice or corn.  The premium lagers have less adjuncts and can be all malt beers.  No strong flavors are acceptable but these beers have more flavor than standard American lagers.

Numbers:  IBU(bitterness) 15-25, SRM (color) 2-6, OG (potential) 1.046-1.056, FG (finished) 1.008-1.0012, ABV 4.6-6%

Examples:  Miller Genuine Draft, Michelob, Corona Extra, Heineken, Beck's, Stella Artois.

This is the top of the food chain as far as the American lager is concerned.  As some of them advertise they can be all malt beers.  These are the beers that probably are close to what the German immigrants were drinking in the pre-prohibition times.  The influx of the imported lagers started in the 1980's, and this became a cool beer to drink during that time.  The mass produced breweries have this style as their top of the line.  This beer is usually brewed full strength no dilution needed.  A slightly more tasteful lawnmower beer.

QC Beerguy