Modern Lager Beer: Techniques, Processess and Recipes

Jack Hendler · Joe Connolly

Apr 2024 · Brewers Publications

About this ebook

The idea of crisp, pale lagers may have roots in 19th century Bohemia, but lager beer is far older and richly complex. Since Pilsner beer took the world by storm, lager beer has become a household term and a commercial behemoth before taking root among homebrewers and craft brewers. Modern Lager Beer is an exploration of the world of lager beers, their historical origins, and the detailed development and techniques used in their production today. Explore the Bavarian and Bohemian origins followed by an examination of the many significant ways that the modern perception of lager styles has been shaped by a myriad of techniques used to produce them. Many traditional methods once employed in lager beer production can be used by the savvy brewer to create unique and delicious lager beers. Insight from many of today’s modern brewers, along with traditional beers that have inspired them, will highlight the interesting ways that lager brewers borrow from these traditions in search of creating their own unique expressions of lager. Modern Lager Beer is filled with practical methods, processes, culture, and recipes from some of the world’s greatest lager craft breweries. From the smallest details of decoction programs to philosophies of fermentation tank geometry, as much as possible of the minutiae of the world’s most popular beer category is explored.

About the author

Jack Hendler is the founder and co-owner of the award-winning Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, Massachusetts. Following years of hands-on experience and a degree in brewing from the Siebel Institute in Chicago and Doemens Academy in Munich, Jack opened Jack's Abby in 2011 with his brothers, Eric and Sam. The lager-only brewery has since grown to be one of the state’s largest breweries and remains family-owned and operated. Joe Connolly is the sales director for Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers. Since joining the beverage industry in 2007, he has developed a passion for beer education and its importance to brewing. As a founding team member of the brewery, Joe has helped define its brand and establish its core values of community, education, experimentation, and fun. A Boston University graduate, Joe combined his passion for writing, travel, and beer production to co-author Modern Lager Beer