Modern Lager Beer

The idea of crisp, pale lagers may have roots in 19th century Bohemia, but lager beer is far older and richly complex. Since Pilsner beer took the world by storm, lager beer has become a household term and a commercial behemoth before taking root among homebrewers and craft brewers.

Modern Lager Beer is an exploration of the world of lager beers, their historical origins, and the detailed development and techniques used in their production today. Explore the Bavarian and Bohemian origins followed by an examination of the many significant ways that the modern perception of lager styles has been shaped by a myriad of techniques used to produce them. Many of the traditional methods once employed in the production of lager beer can be used today by the savvy brewer to create unique and delicious lager beers. Insight from many of today's modern brewers, along with traditional beers that have inspired them, will highlight the interesting ways that lager brewers borrow from these traditions in search of creating their own unique expressions of lager.

Modern Lager Beer is filled with practical methods, processes, culture, and recipes from some of the world's greatest lager craft breweries. From the smallest details of decoction programs to philosophies of fermentation tank geometry, as much as possible of the minutiae of the world's most popular beer category is explored.

Tap into Modern Lager Beer and explore:

• 29 Recipes: Craft brewery's best lagers, including a variety of styles: adjunct pale lagers, German-inspired pale lagers, Czech-inspired pale lagers, copper to brown lagers, strong pale lagers, dark and/or strong lagers, nouveau lagers, and smoked lagers
• Ingredients: Lager yeast, malt, adjuncts, water, hops
• Fermentation: Historical and modern methods, harvesting and repitching yeast, lagering
• Decoction: Methods for triple, double, single, and simplified decoction mashing
• Traditional Techniques: Kellerbier, wood barrels, open fermentation, coolships, cold break, biological acidification, steinbeer
• Future of Lager Brewing: Ingredients, Landbier, wood-aged, serving lager
• For Homebrewers: Lagering techniques, decoction methods, step-infusion process

"Modern Lager Brewing is an outstanding compendium of everything lager. Covering the history, raw materials, and brewing and fermentation techniques, Jack Hendler and Joe Connolly have created the ultimate reference on this subject."

--Florian Kuplent, Brewmaster/Co-founder, Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.

"A book whose time has come! Jack Hendler and Joe Connolly illuminate the oft-Byzantine rituals of German and Czech brewing with refreshing clarity, from decoction mashing to sulfur dioxide. Modern Lager Beer is essential reading for all brewers who thirst for a deeper understanding of lager."

--Dave Carpenter, Author of Lager: The Definitive Guide to Tasting and Brewing the World's Most Popular Beer Styles and former Zymurgy(R) editor-in-chief

"An exceptional guide, this book delves deep into the world of lager, offering invaluable real-world applications, insights, and recipes. A truly helpful resource, this book is a must-read for brewers seeking to enhance their lager brewing skills and expand their historical knowledge."

--Shelley Smith, Master Cicerone(R), Sr. Manager, R&D Brewing and Operations, Boston Beer Company

"Jack and Joe give brewers and beer drinkers the answers to some very meaningful questions: why lager is important, why you should be paying attention to lager, why it is a major part of the future of craft beer, and why brewing process is king. In their pursuit of what makes great lager, the authors take you on a richly detailed journey through the heritage, history, and current state of this beautiful brewing tradition. The world of lager is full of wonderful flavors and delightful drinkability. Kudos to Jack and Joe for providing these technical and cultural insights alongside practical brewing advice and recipes so that you too can be part of this great journey!"

--Josh Pfriem, Brewmaster and Co-founder pFriem Family Brewers

"More than just a sneak-peek, Modern Lager Brewing provides a comprehensive deep-dive into the technical approach of lager brewers in both Europe and America. By incorporating traditional and new methods, Jack and Joe hash out the fundamentals and illuminate often misunderstood lager practices."

--Kevin Davey, Gold Dot Beer/Heater Allen Brewing

"The authors combine brewing science, methodology, and history to give a complete and complex education of lager brewing. The book's deep dive into the history of lager brewing while also exploring the diversity of modern lager has given me inspiration to explore new lager styles and brewing techniques.

--Ryan Wibby, Brewmaster, Wibby Brewing

"This book should be a welcome addition to any brewer who aspires to make great lager beer. Presenting a thorough historical and evolutionary picture of lager leading up to its present-day global dominance, the many examples and interviews within show there are quite different approaches and views regarding best lager practices. However, despite such diversity, this book illustrates that what unifies all lager brewers is their quest for drinkability."

--Will Kemper, Brewmaster/Owner, Chuckanut Brewery

Jack Hendler is founder and co-owner of the award-winning Jack's Abby Craft Lagers located in Framingham, MA. Following years of hands-on experience and a degree in brewing from the Siebel Institute in Chicago and Doeman's in Munich, Jack opened Jack's Abby Brewing in 2011 with his brothers, Eric and Sam. Inspired by his education and travel in Germany, Jack's Abby brews lagers, and only lagers. The brewery has since grown to be one of the largest breweries in the state and remains family owned and operated. Jack lives in Framingham, MA with his wife and children.

Joe Connolly is the Sales Director for Jack's Abby Craft Lagers. Since joining the beverage industry in 2007, he has developed a passion for beer education and its importance for the brewing industry. As a founding team member, Joe has helped define the brand and establish the core values of community, education, experimentation, and fun. A Boston University graduate, Joe combines his passion for writing, travel, and beer production to co-write Modern Lager Beer with Jack Hendler. Between pints of lager, you can find him exploring wild places with his wife, son and dog. Joe resides in Waltham, MA.

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