An international pale lager, also known as a premium pale lager, is a type of beer that is pale straw to gold in color and has a highly-attenuated taste. It is a lager that is brewed using a bottom-fermenting yeast and is known for its crisp and clean profile.
When you pour an international pale lager into a glass, you will notice its light color, which can range from a pale straw to a bright gold. It is a visually appealing beer that looks refreshing and inviting. The carbonation is typically high, resulting in a lively and effervescent beer that tickles your taste buds.
What sets an international pale lager apart from other types of lagers is its lack of strong flavors. Unlike some craft beers that are known for their bold and intense taste profiles, an international pale lager aims for a more balanced and subtle flavor. It is a beer that is meant to be enjoyed by a wide range of palates, appealing to both beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of an international pale lager is its high level of attenuation. Attenuation refers to the degree to which the yeast consumes the sugars during fermentation, resulting in a drier and crisper beer. In the case of an international pale lager, the yeast ferments the sugars to a greater extent, leaving behind a beer that is light and refreshing with a dry finish.
In terms of ingredients, international lagers tend to have fewer adjuncts compared to standard American lagers. Adjuncts are non-malt ingredients such as rice or corn that are added to the beer to lighten the body and reduce costs. While American lagers often use a significant amount of adjuncts, international lagers focus more on the use of malted barley as the primary grain.
I've had the pleasure of tasting various international pale lagers throughout my career as a sommelier and brewer. One particular experience that stands out is when I tried a German international pale lager during a visit to Munich. The beer had a beautiful golden hue and a delicate aroma of grain and floral hops. It was incredibly smooth on the palate, with a light malt sweetness balanced by a subtle bitterness. The carbonation was lively, making it a refreshing and enjoyable beer to drink.
To sum it up, an international pale lager is a pale and highly carbonated beer with a well-balanced and subtle flavor profile. It is known for its light color, high attenuation, and minimal use of adjuncts. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or someone who enjoys a crisp and refreshing drink, an international pale lager is a great choice.