What is the difference between real ale and lager?
Real ale is produced by ‘top fermentation’ at temperatures up to 22°C which produces the rich variety of flavours in an ale. After primary fermentation the ale is allowed to mature at 11-13°C in a cask where a slow secondary fermentation occurs. Lager is produced by bottom fermentation at temperatures 6-14°C and then it should be conditioned for several weeks at about 0 – 1°C during which time the lager matures. Traditionally lager style beers were brewed during the cooler winter months and then stored in cool cellars through the summer months. The German for store is lager – hence the name. However some UK lagers are matured for less than a week.
