What's the between big brand lagers, pilsners and craft lager?
Lagers are some of the most popular and highly consumed beers in the world, but not all lagers are created equal. If you've ever wondered what sets a craft lager apart from a pilsner or how they differ from those household big-brand lagers, then read on.
First up, what Is a Lager?
Before diving into all those intricacies, it’s important to understand what a lager is. Lagers are beers fermented at low temperatures using bottom-fermenting yeast. They tend to be crisp, clean, and refreshing, making them a go-to choice for beer drinkers the world over. But there are some differences that are well worth exploring.
Craft Lager:
Craft lagers are those beers brewed by independent breweries that focus on quality, creativity, and traditional brewing methods. These beers often showcase more pronounced flavours, unique ingredient selections, and longer fermentation times compared to mass-produced lagers. We have a couple of great lagers in our stable here at St Ives Brewery; Helles Mouth Cornish lager and Porth Pilsner.
Characteristics of Craft Lagers:
Smaller, independent craft breweries have the freedom to experiment with their brewing processes, which means that lagers and pilsners they produce tend to have some clear points of difference and unique characteristics. As they are brewed in smaller batches the brewer will be able to experiment and try wider varieties of malt and hops, which mean the beers have an array of flavours and aromas. From light and crips to rich and complex, the craft lager has it all. Craft agers are often left unfiltered, or are naturally carbonated, which also helps to enhance taste and give that all round fresher and fuller flavour profile.
Craft breweries can also experiment with different brewing techniques, adding depth to their lagers, making them a favourite for those who appreciate those more nuanced flavours.
Pilsner: A Classic Lager with a Hoppy Twist
Pilsner is actually a type of lager that originated in the Czech Republic in the 19th century. It is known for its distinctive golden colour, crisp body, and balanced bitterness from noble hops. St Ives Brewery’s Porth Pilsner is a perfect example of a well-crafted Cornish Pilsner, offering a bright, refreshing taste with a refined hoppy finish.
Characteristics of Pilsners:
The pilsner is a beer with a light to medium body, featuring a telltale golden hue. When compared with a straight up lager it tends to have a more pronounced hop bitterness coupled with a more floral aroma - it's like a ramped-up lager, if you will. In terms of its finish, you'll find a pilsner has a dry finish, with Czech variations being smoother and maltier and German versions focused on hoppier and crisper finishes.
Pilsners are often seen as a bridge between craft lagers and mainstream lagers due to their balance of accessibility and depth of flavour. Porth Pilsner captures this balance beautifully, delivering a true pilsner in terms of crisp finish, floral aromas and all round refreshing style.
Mainstream Big-Brand Lagers (or 'euro-fizz')
Big-brand lagers, such as Budweiser, Coors, and Heineken, dominate the global beer market. These beers prioritize consistency, affordability, and wide appeal.
These beers are affordable and come with the assurance that it will taste exactly the same every time, but this comes with an impact on flavour and character. They are brewed with ingredients like rice or corn being included, to lighten the flavour and reduce cost. Big brand fizz is, as the moniker suggests, highly carbonated to give that refreshing mouthfeel, albeit with a relatively mild flavour with a very low bitterness. They are mass appeal beers, with the aim being to create something that is low on complexity.
If you prefer flavour and character, then these might not be the beers for you.
Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on your preferences:
If you enjoy a light, refreshing beer with depth and craftsmanship, go for a craft lager like Helles Mouth Cornish Lager.
If you prefer a crisp, slightly hoppy beer with a classic taste, try a pilsner such as Porth Pilsner.
If you're looking for an easy-drinking, widely available beer, a big-brand lager will do the trick and we won't judge you.
We are craft brewing folk, who love craft lager and would encourage you to try some before sticking to your Buds and Heinekens. Cornish craft beers are some of the best you can drink, packed full of flavour, aroma and character. Checkout Porth and Helles Mouth and we doubt you'll ever go back.
