Question

What are the key differences between lager and pilsner beers?

Answer 1

Not very much. Both of them ferment in cool temperatures, but, originally, only pilsners were stored in freezers. Since lagers are kept that way now too, there's no real difference.

Answer 2

lager is for real men!!

Answer 3

Think of pilsner has a subset of lager. Lagers are bottom fermented in cool temps with a secondary fermentation (lagering phase) that helps clear and settle the brew. Pilsners are highly hopped, light colored lagers.

Answer 4

A pilsner IS a lager. Lagers are cold fermented with a bottom fermenting yeast. Ales are Warm fermented with a top fermenting yeast. Almost all beers fit either the ale or lager category. The only exception are a few "steam" beers also known as california commons. Which use a lager yeast at ale temperatures.