| Most of those who are "born again" into the flavorful | | | | yeasts; yeasts used for pilsners, and several varieties |
| world of ale often become bitter (no pun intended) | | | | of yeast for ale, lambic and barley wine styles. Each |
| to the ale counterpart, lager. I experienced this first | | | | yeast variety has unique qualities that impact the final |
| hand when a close friend introduced me to home | | | | flavor and aroma of the beer. |
| brewing, and the rich flavors in a variety of ales. I | | | | The main difference between yeasts used for lagers |
| decided that lagers were not worthy of my time. I | | | | and ales is that ale yeast is a top-fermenting yeast |
| began to boycott lagers and even badmouth them | | | | which means the yeast floats to the top and hangs |
| as lousy, tasteless beer. | | | | around up there during most of the fermentation |
| As I grew in my appreciation of fine beers, I started | | | | process. Lager yeast is a bottom-fermenting yeast |
| to realize that good lagers do exist and I wasn't | | | | which means it hangs around the bottom of the |
| giving them a fair shot. Considering that I before I | | | | fermenter. During both types of fermentation the |
| was introduced to ales I was drinking some pretty | | | | active yeast does permeate the brew and eventually |
| run-of-the-mill beers, a little exploration wouldn't hurt. | | | | settles out on the bottom of the fermenter when it |
| As an ale lover I must bite my tongue and not be so | | | | is done. |
| quick to judge. I can't stereotype a beer without first | | | | The other main difference in producing a lager or ale |
| getting to know it. There are many pale, light lagers | | | | is in the temperature during fermentation. Most ales |
| that I won't bother with, but good lagers do exist. | | | | are fermented at a controlled temperature around 70 |
| But let's take a quick look at how those watery | | | | degrees Fahrenheit, although Sierra Nevada's |
| lagers are made... | | | | Celebration Ale is said to be fermented at 65 |
| Starches from rice can be broken down into | | | | degrees. Lagers, on the other hand, are fermented |
| fermentable sugars during the mash process, but | | | | about 15 degrees lower, around 55 degrees. |
| there are no byproducts to add color or body to the | | | | The yeast and the fermentation temperatures play |
| beer, so many pale lager brewers use rice as an | | | | an important roll in the flavor of the beer. Ale and |
| adjunct to keep the beer thin, and light colored, while | | | | lagers share the benefit of a rich variety of flavors |
| keeping the alcohol content relatively high. Other | | | | and aromas due to the yeast used, but ales tend to |
| beers tend to have more body and color because all | | | | be more robust and fuller flavored than lagers |
| or most of the alcohol is gained using malted barley, | | | | because of the warmer fermentation. Colder |
| not rice. | | | | fermentation tends to rob the beer of flavors that |
| If there are no funny tricks being used to manipulate | | | | may be imparted during this process because the |
| the final product, I think a good lager can certainly | | | | cold temperature subdues activity. This is also why |
| stand side by side with a good ale. But what really | | | | lagers tend to take longer to completely ferment, |
| makes the difference between an ale and lager? | | | | typically a week or two longer than common ales. |
| Lagers are made using the same basic ingredients as | | | | The goodness of a beer's flavor is relative to the |
| ale, but there are two major differences: yeast and | | | | person who enjoys it. Ultimately it is the craft of |
| fermentation temperature. | | | | brewing that matters, the recipes and traditions that |
| First let's look at the yeast. Yeasts come in a variety | | | | fill the world of beer with such a variety of types |
| of styles, each developed for a certain style of | | | | and styles. There should be no battle over what is |
| alcoholic beverage. There are lager yeasts, champaign | | | | better. They are simply different. |
