What are the differences between Ale vs. Lager beers?
All beers can be broken down into two major categories- ale or lager beer. There are some major differences between the two when it comes to how the beer is fermented, and the flavor is different between the two types as well. Lagers typically have a cleaner, smoother finish on your palate, meaning the flavor does not last on your tongue as long as an ale will. Most large commercial beers in America are lagers. Lagers can also include sub categories such as Bock, Pilsner, etc. because these styles of beer will use, and ferment, yeast just like lagers will. Ales tend to leave a taste on your palate for a long period of time, and to have a fruitier, more complex taste. Wheat and Stout beers are also ales due to the fact that they ferment at room temperature and use top fermenting yeast. Most home brewers are going to make ales because of the temperature that they ferment at.