Focus Session - An Open Panel Exploration of the History, Evolution and Brewing of Lager Beer

Description: What do you think of when you think of lager beer? Something tasteless? Something tasty? A delicate beer with nothing to hide? The anti-hero of the American beer industry? A beer you know all too well.

Join Greg Casey, Ashleigh Carter, and Jack Hendler as they discuss all of these points and more in a panel discussion on the history and brewing techniques of lager beer. Come with questions, but take a seat, taste some gorgeous lagers, and listen as these three giants of American lager brewing fearlessly debate and provide essential knowledge on this timeless and complex of beer styles.

Are you ready for it?

Learning Objectives:
• How/why lager survived in American history
• What essential raw ingredients you need to make certain styles of lager beer (and why)
• What essential processes you need to make certain styles of lager beer (and why)
• Fundamental differences in lager styles
• How to brew efficiently delicious lagers
• Essential package stabilization techniques
• Lager Yeast
• NA Lager – what do consumers want?

Relevance: • 2 new books published on lager beers
• Lager style in America is resilient in the marketplace
o Top 3 lager styles (American lite lager, Pils, Amber)
o In craft, make up about 9% of craft sales (vol share, BA)

Brewing Summit 2025 Theme: Brewers are focusing on styles that increasingly show better ROI instead of wacky innovations or one-offs. This panel is to show how resilient the lager style has been throughout American history and also provide answers to brewers on how to brew these delicate beers effectively and efficiently by the leading lager producers in the country.