Whats the difference between an ale and a lager?
The difference between ales and lagers has nothing to do with strength, color, or bitterness. It’s the yeast and the fermentation temperature. Ale yeasts ferment best at warmer temperatures — up to about 75° F. Because a yeasty foam rises to the surface of the beer, these are known as “top-fermenting” yeasts. Lager yeasts, on the other hand, prefer cooler temperatures. They are called “bottom-fermenting” yeasts because they sink to the bottom of the beer during the cold storage period traditional for lager beers. This process removes haze and gives lagers their characteristic clean, rounded tastes.
