A new wave of speciality brewers in the UK have started making lagers that can compete with the best German and Czech drinks.
According to author Pete Brown, they are a world of flavour away from the mass-produced mainstream brands.
Cotswold Lager, for instance, is brewed in strict observance of 16th century German purity laws which insist on a four-week maturing process.
Samuel Smith's Pure Brewed Lager, an all-malt beer, has been described as "England's finest lager" with its rich golden colour and floral bouquet.
Cain's Finest Lager is available cask-conditioned and was voted second in GQ's recent Top 100 Best Things in the World.
The Sunday Telegraph 17/09/06 (Business) page 7