Pilsner vs Lager: Differences, Similarities & When to Pick What

“All pilsners are lagers, but not all lagers are pilsners.”

It may sound like a riddle, but these two styles are often confused despite having clear differences. Both belong to the same family, but pilsners stand out for their bolder, crisper taste. Lagers are generally smoother and milder, making them widely popular for casual sipping.

While they share a similar brewing process, the distinctions in flavour, ingredients, and origin give each its own identity.

Let’s explore what sets them apart and decide which one suits you.

What Is a Lager?

Lager is a broad category of beer characterised by bottom-fermenting yeast and cold fermentation. The word "lager" comes from the German word lagern, meaning “to store.” This refers to the traditional brewing method where beer is stored at low temperatures for extended periods. The result is a clean, crisp flavour that defines the style.

Origin of Lager

Lagers originated in Central Europe, particularly Germany, where brewers stored beer in cool caves to ferment slowly during the winter months. This cold fermentation method produced smoother, cleaner-tasting beers. The technique gained popularity in the 15th century and became more refined during the 16th century.

Over time, lager brewing expanded to other regions, including the Czech Republic, Belgium, and the United States. With modern refrigeration, lagers are now brewed year-round, though the cold fermentation method remains unchanged.

Characteristics of Lager

Here are the key traits that define lagers:

• Bottom-fermenting yeast: Lagers use a yeast strain that ferments at the bottom of the vessel, creating a clean, smooth profile with no fruity or spicy flavours.

• Cold fermentation: Lagers are fermented at temperatures between 7°C and 13°C. This slower process enhances smoothness and creates a well-balanced taste without harsh notes.

• Colour variety: Lagers range in colour from pale gold to deep amber or even dark brown, depending on the malt used.

• Balanced flavours: They offer a mild malt sweetness paired with subtle hop bitterness, making them easy to drink without overwhelming the palate.

• Subtle aroma: Lagers typically have a light aroma, with floral, earthy, or malty notes depending on the specific style.

Types of Lagers You Should Know

Lagers are like a whole family of beer types. From light and crisp to dark and rich, there’s a lager for every kind of beer lover. Here are some of the most popular types worth exploring:

• Helles: This golden German lager lives up to its name - Helles means “bright” in German. It’s smooth and easy to drink, with a soft floral aroma, a touch of malt sweetness, and a clean finish. A true everyday classic.

• Dunkel: Dunkel means “dark,” and it brings that in full force. Expect deep brown hues with smooth notes of caramel, toasted bread, and toffee. Despite the colour, it’s not heavy or bitter, just rich and mellow.

• Vienna Lager: With its reddish-amber colour and toasty malt profile, Vienna lager offers a great middle ground. Slightly sweet, yet clean and dry on the finish, it’s perfect for those who want more flavour without heaviness.

• Märzen (Oktoberfest Beer): Traditionally brewed in March and served during Oktoberfest, Märzen is smooth, malty, and medium-bodied. Its amber colour and rich, balanced flavour make it a great match for hearty meals and fall weather.

• Bock: Bocks are stronger, darker lagers with big malt flavours and very little bitterness. You’ll find several types, like Doppelbock (stronger and richer), Maibock (lighter and brewed for spring), and Eisbock (freeze-distilled and intense). These are the boldest beers in the lager world.

From sipping a refreshing Helles on a warm summer afternoon to savouring a rich, complex Bock on a chilly evening, there’s a lager to suit every mood and occasion.

So, Why Do We Love Lagers?

Lagers are the perfect beer for so many occasions. They’re refreshing, easy to drink, and always deliver a smooth, satisfying experience. Each lager offers its own distinct character, all thanks to the time-honoured cold fermentation process.

From its humble beginnings in cool European caves to the craft beer revolution today, lagers have proven that sometimes, simplicity is the key to perfection. No matter what your taste buds are craving, there’s a lager out there waiting for you.

Now, let’s look at one of the most iconic types of lager - the pilsner, and what makes it stand out.

What Is a Pilsner?

Pilsner is a specific type of lager that originated in the Czech city of Pilsen (Plzeň) in 1842. It’s known for being lighter, hoppier, and more bitter than many traditional lagers, with a bright, golden colour and higher carbonation. It’s a balanced beer style that combines refreshing qualities with noticeable hop character, making it more vibrant and dynamic than milder lagers.

Ingredients and Brewing Process of Pilsner

Pilsners are brewed using pilsner malt and Saaz hops, both of which contribute to their crisp, refreshing taste. Additionally, pilsner brewers often use soft water, which is a key ingredient in creating the clean, delicate flavour that defines the style. 

The result is a beer that is light and drinkable and delivers a noticeable hop bitterness. Together, the ingredients create a profile that’s both crisp and subtly complex, with a balance of malt sweetness and bitterness.

Characteristics of Pilsner

Pilsners are defined by several distinct traits:

• Hoppiness: Pilsners are typically more hop-forward, with a bitter finish that’s more pronounced than in many lagers.

• Light, crisp taste: They are known for their light body, crispness, and clean flavour profile.

• Golden colour: Most pilsners have a rich golden hue and excellent clarity.

• Higher carbonation: The high carbonation level gives the beer a lively, effervescent mouthfeel.

• Aroma: Pilsners often have a more noticeable hop aroma, which can include earthy, floral, or herbal notes depending on the variety of hops used.

Types of Pilsners to Sip

There are a few different types of pilsners, each with its own regional variations:

• Czech Pilsner (Bohemian Pilsner): This traditional pilsner is malt-forward with a mild hop presence. It’s slightly sweeter than its German counterpart, with a smooth finish and a rich malty backbone. The flavour is mellow and balanced, offering a soft, easy-drinking experience.

• German Pilsner: Known for being crisp and dry, with a more pronounced hop bitterness and a light, refreshing body. It has a sharp, clean finish that makes it one of the most distinctive styles in the pilsner category.

• American Pilsner: This version is similar to a Czech pilsner but tends to have a lighter flavour profile with more diverse hop and malt combinations. It focuses on a clean, subtle taste that is easy to drink, with hints of sweetness and minimal bitterness.

• Belgian Pilsner: A more refined take on the style, Belgian pilsners offer a smooth, light body with delicate malt sweetness. The profile is balanced and slightly more elegant, making it a sophisticated option within the category.

Pilsners bring bold character and variety to the lager family, offering everything from the soft maltiness of a Czech version to the sharp bitterness of a German one, or the smooth profile of an American or Belgian style.

Pilsner vs Lager: Breaking Down the Differences

Pilsners and lagers are both bottom-fermented beers, brewed at cooler temperatures to achieve a clean, crisp profile. While pilsner is a specific style within the larger lager category, there are distinct differences in flavour, ingredients, and brewing techniques that set them apart. 

Here's how the two differ across key characteristics.

Flavour: Sharp vs. Smooth

Pilsners tend to have a more pronounced hop bitterness and a sharper, crisper flavour profile. This makes them stand out with a refreshing and assertive taste. In contrast, lagers offer a smoother, more balanced flavour, with a rounder and less pronounced bitterness. 

Both provide a satisfying drinking experience, but their flavour profiles cater to different preferences.

Bitterness: Bold vs. Mellow

Pilsners typically feature a higher level of hop bitterness, giving them a sharper and more assertive flavour. This makes them stand out with a bold, more pronounced bitterness. 

Lagers, on the other hand, tend to be milder, offering a smoother, more balanced bitterness. If you prefer a more pronounced hop character, pilsners are a great choice. For a more subtle, mellow taste, lagers offer a smoother option.

Colour & Clarity: Bright Gold vs. Range of Shades

Pilsners are known for their bright, golden colour, offering a crisp, clean appearance that sparkles in the glass. This pale-yellow hue is often associated with their crisp, refreshing character. 

Lagers, on the other hand, come in a broader range of colours, from pale gold to deep brown, providing a greater variety to choose from. Pilsners offer a bright clarity, while lagers present richer hues, both adding their own unique visual appeal to your beer experience.

Aroma: Bold vs. Subtle

Pilsners tend to have a more prominent hop aroma, with earthy or floral notes that immediately stand out, preparing your palate for the crisp, refreshing flavours ahead. Lagers, in contrast, offer a subtler aroma, often with malty or bready undertones that provide a gentle, comforting introduction. 

Pilsners deliver a bold aroma, while lagers offer a more subtle malty fragrance, each adding its own distinct touch to the experience.

Brewing Process: A Few Key Tweaks

While pilsners and lagers share a similar brewing process, there are some important differences. Pilsners are made with specific ingredients, such as pilsner malt and Saaz hops, which contribute to their bright colour and crisp, slightly bitter flavour. 

Lagers, on the other hand, are brewed with a broader range of malts, like Vienna, Munich, or Maris Otter, which gives them a more varied flavour profile, often leaning towards a malt-forward taste.

Both pilsners and lagers offer distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. From their brewing process to their flavour profiles and appearances, each beer style has unique attributes that make it appealing in its own right.

Where They Overlap: The Common Ground Between Pilsners and Lagers

While pilsners and lagers have their own unique characteristics, they still share many similarities. Here’s a look at the key traits that make these two beer styles more alike than you might think:

• Bottom-Fermented Beers: Both pilsners and lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast, which works at lower temperatures to give these beers their clean, crisp profiles.

• Crisp, Clean Taste: Whether it’s a pilsner or a lager, both offer a refreshing, easy-drinking experience with a smooth finish.

• Best Served Cold: To enjoy them at their best, serve both styles ice-cold. The colder, the better. This is when they truly shine.

• Pale in Colour: Both pilsners and lagers typically have a bright, golden hue that’s as visually appealing as it is refreshing.

• Refreshing, Easy-Drinking Styles: These beers are known for their drinkability, making them perfect choices for any occasion, whether you’re relaxing on a sunny day or hanging out with friends.

Despite their differences, pilsners still fit into the same refreshing, easy-drinking category as other lagers, making them a perfect choice for any beer lover.

Pilsner vs Lager: A Short Recap of Key Similarities and Differences

Pilsner and lager might belong to the same beer family, but they each bring their own unique flair to the table. To make things clear, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison, followed by a deeper dive into what sets them apart.

Aspect	Pilsner	Lager
Flavor	Sharper, hoppier, with a more pronounced taste.	Smoother, more balanced flavour.
Bitterness	Typically more bitter and assertive.	Generally less bitter and more mellow.
Color & Clarity	Lighter, golden, and clearer.	Can range from light to dark.
Alcohol Content	Slightly stronger, but varies with style.	Usually similar, but can vary based on style.
Aroma	Strong hop aroma, earthy or floral.	More subdued aroma, often malty or bready.
Brewing Process	Uses pilsner malt and Saaz hops, fermented at cooler temperatures.	Varies by style, but typically uses a broader range of malts and hops.
Fermentation	Bottom-fermented, cold-conditioned.	Also bottom-fermented, cold-conditioned.

Pilsners and lagers share common brewing methods but differ noticeably in flavour, bitterness, colour, and aroma. Understanding these key differences and similarities helps clarify what sets each style apart within the broader lager category.

When to Choose What: A Quick Guide

Pilsners and lagers each offer qualities that pair well with different occasions and food choices. This quick guide outlines situations where each beer style can complement your drinking experience:

Go for a Lager if You Want:

• A milder taste with smooth, balanced flavours that won’t overpower your palate.

• A lighter buzz, as most lagers have a lower to moderate alcohol content—ideal for easy sipping.

• A great pairing with spicy food; their clean finish helps mellow the heat without clashing with bold flavours.

Choose a Pilsner if You’re Craving:

• A bold, hoppy flavour with a crisp bite and a more pronounced bitterness.

• A classic European brew with a refined, refreshing edge.

• Something that cuts through rich or greasy food, making it perfect for dishes like fried chicken or cheesy sliders.

Is One Stronger Than the Other?

Both lagers and pilsners typically fall in the 4-6% ABV range. While pilsners can sometimes be a little stronger depending on the style, alcohol content isn’t what differentiates them. It’s all about flavour. So, if you're concerned about strength, check the label.

Final Thoughts

Lagers and pilsners each bring distinct qualities to the glass, offering a range of flavours and experiences for beer enthusiasts. Both styles highlight the versatility of bottom-fermented brews and showcase unique characteristics worth exploring.

At Boho Bar Sarjapur, we’re pouring both. Want a classic lager while you kick back under fairy lights? Or a crisp pilsner with some live music on the side? Either way, we’ve got you covered.

Head over to our Sarjapur branch to discover what’s fresh on tap. Your next beer is waiting. Join us at Boho for a great time!