Light Lagers are beer styles that largely evolved from the Pilsner beer style and share some common characteristics with them, including a pale color and clean finish. Though many beers and sources refer to Light Lagers as Pilsners, they are not stylistically the same. Light Lagers evolved as a response to the Pilsner style but the beers in this category differ from the Pilsners, particularly in their greater emphasis on malt character versus the Pilsner orientation towards hop bitterness.
Light Lagers are primarily of German origin and are rooted in the Munich Helles Lagers and Dortmunder Export beers. The American versions of Light Lagers, which were originally imitations of the Pilsners and German Light Lagers include the adjunct laden categories of Light American Lager, Standard American Lager and the Premium American Lager. The American versions were first brewed in the ninteenth century to be commercially viable for a wide range of consumers.
Light Lagers are great thirst quenchers and also pair well with many cuisines like Italian or barbecue. Earthy cheeses like Camembert work well with them as well as pairings with poultry, pork, fish and shellfish.
