Lager is a popular type of beer brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast, which is then conditioned at low temperatures. The name 'lager' comes from the German word 'lagern', which means to store, because traditionally the beer is stored in barrels in cold cellars to enable it to mature. Lager has been produced in some form since the Middle Ages, but it really took off in the mid-19th century when scientists became involved, studying the yeast 'Saccharomyces uvarum' and enabling the brewing industry to use more modern techniques to streamline their processes.
Lager soon became the most popular type of beer across the world, slowly coming to dominate beer markets through the 20th century. The inevitable backlash came at the beginning of the 2000s, with more beer drinkers wanting a drink with more character and flavour, which is now fuelling the rise of ales, IPAs and other traditional and non-traditional brews, especially within the craft-brewing movement.
