Whats the difference between ale and lager yeast?
Ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a top-fermenting yeast that prefers warmer temperatures while lager yeast (Saccharomyces uvarum) is a bottom-fermenting yeast that prefers cooler temperatures. Ale yeast tends to be more vigorous and have a quicker turnaround compared to lager yeast that requires precise temperature/environment control and a longer conditioning time to produce the characteristic clean, crisp, and smooth lager flavor.