Skip to main content

What's the difference between Ale (Beer) and Lager?

The primary difference between ale and lager lies in the yeast strains used and the fermentation process. These differences lead to variations in flavour, appearance, and other characteristics. Here's a breakdown of the key distinctions between ale and lager:

1. Yeast Type:

  • Ale: Ales are brewed using top-fermenting yeast strains, scientifically known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These yeasts ferment at warmer temperatures, typically between 15-22°C (60-72°F).
  • Lager: Lagers, on the other hand, are made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, specifically Saccharomyces pastorianus. These yeasts ferment at cooler temperatures, usually around 7-13°C (45-55°F).


2. Fermentation Temperature:

  • Ale: The warmer fermentation temperatures of ales result in a faster and more active fermentation. This often leads to more complex and fruity esters, as well as higher alcohol content.
  • Lager: Lagers undergo a slower, cooler fermentation process, resulting in cleaner and crisper flavours with fewer esters and a smoother profile.


3. Fermentation Time:

  • Ale: Ales typically have shorter fermentation periods, often measured in days to a few weeks.
  • Lager: Lagers require longer fermentation and conditioning times, sometimes taking several weeks to several months, which contributes to their characteristic smoothness.


4. Flavour and Aroma:

  • Ale: Ales are known for their diverse range of flavours, which can include fruity, floral, spicy, and robust malt notes. They often have a more pronounced hop character.
  • Lager: Lagers tend to have cleaner and crisper flavours, with a subtle malt sweetness and a milder hop presence. They are known for their smooth, well-balanced profiles.


5. Appearance:

  • Ale: Ales can range in colour from pale gold to deep brown, and they may be cloudy or clear, depending on the style.
  • Lager: Lagers often have a paler colour, ranging from straw-yellow to amber, and they are typically clear and brilliantly bright.


6. Styles:

  • Ale: Ale encompasses a wide variety of styles, including pale ales, India pale ales (IPAs), stouts, porters, and Belgian ales, among others.
  • Lager: Lagers include styles such as pilsners, helles, Märzen, and bocks, with a focus on clean and balanced profiles.


It's important to note that within both ale and lager categories, there are numerous substyles, each with its unique characteristics. The distinction between ale and lager is a foundational concept in the world of beer and serves as a starting point for understanding the vast diversity of beer styles available.

Labels:
Location: United Kingdom

Comments

Post a Comment

My Three Top Posts

Vatted Black Beer - What!

On a recent trip to Eastbourne, I had the great pleasure of bumping into this 'style' with the Monolith Vatted Black Beer from Burning Sky Brewery. Wow, what a beer, I scored it 10/10 . I've never come across this beer style before, so I was interested in learning a little more about it. What is Vatted Black Beer? Vatted black beer is a dark ale aged in wooden vats, Burning Sky Monolith was aged in Chianti barrels for three years. Like all similar beers, this leaved a rich, complex flavour that’s really is amazing and hard to beat. Sometimes these beers might have wild yeasts introduced or other micro-flora. The efforts that brewers go throught to produce these beers cannot be over-exaggerated, they are time consuming to produce and there are financial risks of cellaring beers, but the results can be stunning.  A VERY Brief History Lesson This beer style dates back to the 18th century. Back then, brewers used wooden vats to store their beer. Over time, they noti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring - better than Landlord?

Welcome to what could be a controversial blog post, and let me get straight to the point ..  I prefer Knowle Spring over Landlord; I know, probably not something you hear often, but let me explain. I think that Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring, has a fairly unique character and delightful flavours. As we explore this blonde beer, we'll also draw some comparisons with its beter known sibling, Landlord, to help you understand why I think Knowle Spring is probably the best beer in the Timothy Taylor family (but only just!).   Introducing Knowle Spring to You All I first had this wonder beer about five years ago in a country pub in Yorkshire (the name escapes me), but I instantly fell for this beer.  This 4.2% ABV Knowle Spring is a relatively recent addition to Timothy Taylor's lineup, having been introduced in 2017. This Golden Ale was created to offer a lighter, more refreshing option compared to some of the brewery's other offerings. The name actually comes from the sprin...
Post a Comment
Read more

The New Wave of West Coast IPAs

As a craft beer enthusiasts I'm always looking to see what might be coming for me next, what new or different beer styles or twist to an existing style will entice me! Many of us have long celebrated the West Coast IPA for its bold, hop-forward character and crisp, clean finish. It is now an iconic style, pioneered by breweries in California and the Pacific Northwest, but this style has undergone a remarkable and interesting transformation in recent years. A new wave of West Coast IPAs is emerging, featuring newer hop varieties and a fruitier profile that offers a refreshing twist on a beloved classic. Side Note: I just want to put it here that while we all refer to 'styles' there has always been, and always will be style creep, so I know that these variations to the Tradtional West Coast IPA style are not brand new, but they are being brewed more often AND becoming more widely accepted. A VERY Brief History of the West Coast IPA Just as a reminder, the West Coast IPA firs...
Post a Comment
Read more