Lager is the term used in English to describe bottom-fermented beers of German and sometimes of Czech styles, though in the latter case the term Pilsener is more common. The word comes from the German lagern ("to store"), and refers to the practice of storing these (and other) beers at near-freezing temperatures for periods of several months before drinking. The term is not used to describe beer in German.

Lager beers run the gamut from sweet to bitter, and from pale to black. Most lagers are of pale to medium color, with high carbonation, medium to high hop flavor, and alcohol content of 3–5 percent by volume. In America, some are termed session lagers.