Ale Vs Lager: What's The Flavor Difference?
NEWS
BY RACHEL SHULHAFER HAESELEY
Most beers are either an ale or a lager. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific flavor difference between them, as beers in the same category can taste wildly different.
Ultimately, the difference between an ale and a lager has to do with the type of yeast involved in the brewing process and the temperature during the fermentation process.
Ales use top-fermenting yeast that creates an impressive layer of foam and requires warmer temperatures to ferment, usually 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Depending on the type of ale you order, you will get a fruity, hoppy, roasty, or spicy taste, based on the esters released by the specific yeast strain used during fermentation.
In contrast, lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast that sinks to the bottom of the vessel and cooler fermentation temperatures, typically between 35 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
While all the varieties of ales have very distinct flavors, lagers have a smooth, mellow taste with a hint of sweetness and are described as clean, crisp, or easy to drink.
