A very common question we receive from visitors to breweries in Warrington is: What is the difference between lager and ale? When you begin to take a closer look at the wide range of options available at any local brewery, you might start to feel overwhelmed about the options on offer to you. Today we’re going to share our complete guide to lager vs ale explained. We’ll help you to understand what separates these two types of beer so you can decide which option to explore further when discovering new beers.
A Short History of Ale vs Lager
To understand the ale and lager beer difference, we need to take a quick journey through brewing history. Ale is the older of the two styles, with records dating back thousands of years to ancient civilisations. Traditional ale was often dark, cloudy, and heavily flavoured with herbs, before hops came along and became the standard ingredient.
Lager originated much later and was first introduced primarily in Central Europe during the Middle Ages. The word lager comes from the German lagern, which means “to store.” While ale was typically brewed and consumed quickly, lager required cooler environments and longer maturation times. These are the key differences between ale and lager beer and can help you to get a basic understanding of what you might expect from these two beers at your local brewery.
Lager vs Ale: The Use of Yeast
The way yeast is used in the brewing process for ale and lager greatly impacts the final results. Ales are brewed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is often referred to as top-fermenting yeast. This type of yeast works best at warmer temperatures, and ale is usually brewed between 18°C and 22°C. The yeast rises to the top of the fermentation vessel, creating a complex, fruity, aromatic flavour. Due to these warmer brewing conditions, ales ferment faster, often taking as little as a week to reach maturity and create the robust flavour ales are so well known for.
Lagers, on the other hand, use Saccharomyces pastorianus. This is known as a bottom-fermenting yeast because it sinks to the bottom during the fermentation process. It thrives in cooler temperatures and therefore is usually used between 7°C and 13°C. Cool fermentation produces a clean and crisp profile with less of a fruity flavour. After the initial fermentation, lager undergoes a cold storage period that smooths the beer’s flavour and improves clarity. This technical difference in yeast and fermentation temperature is the key distinction between lager vs ale and something that breweries in Warrington will be able to discuss in greater detail if you are interested in learning more about the brewing process.
Flavour: What to Expect from Ale and Lager
When comparing lager and ale, flavour is often the deciding factor for many drinkers and why our customers tend to favour one over the other. Ales are known for being bold, fruity, spicy, or complex due to the warm fermentation process. Common ale styles include pale ale, IPA, stout, Belgian ales, and brown ale. They all have their own unique flavours, and you’ll want to explore the various options on offer to you at your local brewery to find your favourite.
Lagers tend to be cleaner, smoother, and more refreshing, which is why they are so popular in the summer months. The cold fermentation process allows the malt and hops to come through in a subtle way. Popular lager styles include Pilsner, Helles, and Dunkel. They are typically considered a more approachable way to get into beer drinking and are ideal for anyone hosting a party or potentially consuming greater quantities of beer in one sitting.
Appearance: Clarity and Colour
While both ale and lager can be pale or dark, lagers typically have greater clarity due to the cold-conditioning process. Ales can also be clear, but unfiltered styles may appear hazy or cloudy. Colour is determined largely by malt rather than fermentation style. You’ll find pale ales and pale lagers, dark ales and dark lagers, and various options in between. A local brewer will be more than happy to explain the differences in their product range and suggest an option for you based on your personal preferences.
Modern breweries across the country often experiment across both categories. Craft brewers love trying new things and pushing boundaries, producing hybrid styles such as Cold IPA or India Pale Lager. If you visit breweries in Warrington, you will be able to find everything from traditional bitters to innovative lagers, offering something for everyone to try. There is no correct answer when it comes to choosing ale or lager, as it all depends on your personal preference. We highly encourage you to challenge yourself to try new beers this year, and our team will be here to guide you and answer any questions you have about our selection of products.