American-style lager beer is a common variety of beer, a type of pale lager, traditionally made and drunk in North America, but also popular in much of the rest of the world. It derives ultimately from the Czech(Bohemian)/German Pilsner, but is characterized by a much lighter color and body and the frequent use of rice or corn as adjuncts. Worldwide, the best-known example is likely Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser, though prominent brands are also made by Coors Brewing Company, Miller, Molson, Corona, and others.

American-style lager is often the subject of ridicule among beer cognoscenti, being considered rather characterless in relation to most European styles of beer. It is nevertheless particularly popular in warm climates, and is sometimes referred to in American slang as "lawnmower beer", that is, a beer ideally suited as a thirst-quencher after a day of yardwork. Despite its low reputation, it is actually a difficult style to brew consistently, since the light and delicate character of the style offer the brewer very little room for error or off flavors.

Related Styles

• Malt Liquor: A high-alcohol variant of the American lager.
• Ice Beer: A beer that has been partially freeze-distilled to concentrate flavor and alcohol. The technique is based on that used to make Eisbock, but the two styles share no stylistic similarities (apart from both being lagers) otherwise.
• Light Beer: A beer made with reduced alcohol and/or carbohydrate content. Though the term is not limited to American-style beers, many of the best known light beers are in fact American lagers.
• Dry Beer: A Japanese style based on American lager; the yeast is encouraged to consume more fermentables, resulting in a crisper finish and an unusually subtle hop flavor.