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National Lager Day

Raise a glass and celebrate National Lager Day! Enjoy the crisp taste of your favorite lager with friends and family. Cheers!

Thursday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 10

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYAlcohol

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Raise a cold glass of your favorite lager and get ready to celebrate National Lager Day on December 10! This day has been celebrated for centuries as a way to recognize the delicious beverage made with bottom-fermenting yeast. Brewing lagers is an art form, requiring skill and patience in order to create the perfect beer. So grab some friends and join in on the celebration by raising a toast to this tasty brew!

TIMELINE

National Lager Day Timeline

Introduction of Lagering

Brewers in Bavaria, Germany, began storing beer in cool cellars during the colder months, leading to what is now known as lagering.

Lager in America

John Wagner, a Bavarian brewer, brought lager yeast to America and brewed the first American lager.

End of Prohibition

The end of Prohibition in the United States saw the rise of major breweries producing lagers — predominantly pale lagers.

Craft Lager Renaissance

The rise of home brewing and craft beer movement in the U.S. during the 1970s revived the popularity of full-flavored lagers beyond mass-produced pale lagers.

Innovation and Variety Increases

As the craft beer industry grows, brewers continue to innovate and expand the types of lagers available — dark, amber, pale, pilsner, bock, and many others.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Lager Day

Brew your own lager

Brewing your own lager is a great way to celebrate National Lager Day. Invest in some basic brewing supplies and ingredients, then follow some simple instructions online to start making your own lagers!

VISIT

Visit a local brewery

Make a special trip to your local brewery and sample their different lagers. Many breweries offer tours and tastings so you can enjoy the process of making lagers and try out different varieties.

HOLD

Hold a beer tasting party

Invite friends over and host a beer tasting party featuring different types of lagers. Ask everyone to bring their favorite variety of lager and have a fun evening comparing and contrasting different flavors.

WATCH

Watch a beer documentary

Check out the many documentaries about the history and culture of beer, focusing on the creation of lager. Learn more about how this popular beverage has been created throughout history, from German monks to modern American microbreweries.

HAVE

Have a lager cookout

Throw an outdoor cookout featuring lager recipes. Lager is great for marinating meats, adding flavor to side dishes, and even baking desserts! Get creative with some unique recipes or stick with the classics.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Lager Day

Pairs well with the right food

Increasingly popular food pairings include lagers being matched with spicy dishes like Mexican food or buffalo wings. The slight sweetness of the lagers helps cut through the heat of more intense dishes while still highlighting the flavor of each respective dish.

Lager is light and refreshing

Lager beer is perfect for a warm summer day. Its smooth, crisp taste is great to sip on its own or with food. From pale lagers to dark lagers, there's a lager that's sure to please any palate.

Brewed with all natural ingredients

Most lagers are made from all natural ingredients like hops, barley, yeast, and water. This means you don't have to worry about artificial colors or preservatives when enjoying your favorite brew. Plus, many craft breweries use locally sourced ingredients so you can feel good about drinking a truly local beer.