"lager beer", 1850, 1855

[Joel S. Berson]

For "lager beer", the OED has 1852 (a dictionary definition), then 1858.
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North American and United States Gazette, (Philadelphia, PA)
Saturday, March 02, 1850; Issue 16,869; col H   [19th Century U.S. Newspapers]

The March of Malt. ... Most probably this is for the brewing of the
celebrated Lager Beer, which has now such unprecedented popularity in
Philadelphia.

[The 1849 quotation from the "North American and United States
Gazette (Philadelphia, PA) Wednesday, November 21, 1849; Issue
16,784; col I" is "Lager beer house", thus not "lager beer" but "beer
house".  There are also two very slightly earlier hits, Feb. 28 and
March 1, 1850 -- but these are given as full pages of advertisements
without any highlighting that I see, and I'll be d----d if I'll
attempt to find them.]
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Lithograph, Currier & Ives (Philadelphia, 1855), "The Follies of the
Age, Vive la Humbug!!".  The Library Company of Philadelphia.   In
Rael, Black Identity & Black Protest, 142.

[Sign on flag.]  Lager beer, allowed to drink 48 glasses.
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Joel

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