Did you know that every time you drink beer it’s either a Lager or an Ale? These two are the most common beer styles and likely one of the oldest. 

Do you enjoy craft beers or are you soon to embark on your wizarding adventure in the realm of Ales and Lagers? Being able to tell the difference between the two will certainly make every pint you serve all the more enjoyable. So go ahead, chug your beer, and let’s dive into what lagers and ales are!

Fermentation: The Key Difference Between Lager and Ale

The major difference between these two can be identified in their fermentation stage as fermentation is where the yeast magic happens. Sugars are broken down into alcohol and carbon dioxide creating rich flavors and textures that people love in a beer. The fermentation process determines everything from how the beer sits and smells, to the ideal food to consume it with.

• Top-fermenting yeast famously known as saccharomyces cerevisiae is used in the production of ales and generally prefers warmer temperatures (around 60–75°F). This results in a quicker fermentation, and is responsible for their rich and sometimes fruity or spicy flavors.
• On the other hand, bottom-fermenting yeast saccharomyces pastorianus is used in lagers during their fermentation and it prospers in cooler temperatures (45–55°F). This slower fermentation process helps them deliver a crisp, clean taste with an incredibly smooth finish.

How Do Lagers and Ales Taste? – Discovering Flavor Profiles

Though both Lagers and Ales offer incredible taste and flavor, some general distinctions one can observe are:

• Lagers are refreshing, clean, and crisp! With light malt flavor and sweetish hints, all packaged in an even balanced finish. Amongst the varieties worth trying are Pilsners such as Bike Path.
• On the other hand, Ales offers a whole different experience with their full-bodied flavors. Generally full of fruity, spicy, or hoppy notes that make them a bold drink to try. If you’re ever in the mood for something richer, look for IPAs, Stouts, and Porters.

Explore the golden lager of the beer world in detail.

Alcohol Content and Body: Which One is Stronger?

To be quite honest, neither style is inherently stronger than the other but the fermentation process surely plays a crucial role in ABV levels. Let’s understand.

• Ales undergo warmer fermentation, remember? This encourages the production of more esters and alcohols. Take beers like Little Turtle (Belgian Tripel with 9% ABV) for example, since it undergoes a warm fermentation its ABV exceeds 8%.
• Lagers on the contrary tend to be more moderate in terms of ABVs, making them a suitable choice for casual drinking. However strong lagers like Reverberator (Doppelbock with 8.5% ABV) have higher ABV levels.

Beer body also varies, lighter-bodied lagers like Bike Path Pilsner are crisp and refreshing while medium to full-bodied ales like Grateful IPA (medium-bodied IPA) and Godzilla IPA (full-bodied IPA) have richer textures with refined flavors.

Popular Styles of Lagers and Ales

The craft beer universe is vast but some widely recognized styles that fall under the Lagers and Ales categories are:

Many beer cultures around the world have different opinions and signature styles. Lagers from Germany and the Czech Republic are very popular while the UK and Belgium excel in Ales. 

Lager vs. Ale Production – Brewing Process

Different techniques are used to obtain Lagers and Ales.

• Lagers undergo cold storage (popularly known as lagering), where they go through low temperatures for enhanced clarity and smoothness.
• Ales on the other hand ferment and mature faster due to high temperatures and warm surroundings. This results in quicker turnaround times while preserving all those complex aromas and flavors.

The result? Well, lagers produce over a longer period but they reward brewers with a crisp character, while ales offer versatility in both aspects.

Serving Techniques – Which one does it better?

Lagers and Ales both have different serving techniques that enhance the experience, let’s quickly take a look.

Serving Temperature:

Lagers are generally served cold (45-70°F) while Ales can be served at slightly warmer temperatures (50-55°F).

Glassware

Lagers are ideally served in pilsner glasses, steins, or mugs as these help maintain their cooler temperatures.

Ales on the side are served in pint glasses, tulip glasses, or snifters as they help accentuate their aromatic profiles and help drinkers savor the full flavor.

Pouring Techniques

It is preferred to serve Lagers by pouring it gently down the side of the glass as it can help retain their effervescence.

Ales are poured more vigorously into the center of the glass as it helps scatter its complex aroma and flavor.

Don’t miss reading How to Taste and Enjoy Different Beer Styles Like a Pro.

Which One Should You Choose? (Or Why Not Both?)

If you ever come across the dilemma of choosing one among the two, just relax and remember what you are reading now. Choosing the right beer often depends on the occasion and food pairing choices.

Dishes like pizzas, BBQs, and fried foods are solid options to be paired with crispy Lagers as they portray palate-cleansing nature while Ales complement rich meats, chocolate desserts, and spicy dishes as they double the bold flavors.

For casual drinking, you can always go with lagers but if the party demands something more versatile, Ales should be your go-to. The best way out of all is to experiment, go out try different varieties, and let your taste buds assist you while choosing between the two!

Discover Your Favorite at Little Miami Brewing Company

Lagers and Ales are different and their deep-rooted histories and different production techniques give them their identities. Despite their differences, they will always be a craft beer, and as the saying goes “there is always a craft beer for everyone”.

We at Little Miami Brewing Co. understand that both styles serve a wide range of people and are like Yin and Yang. Hence we serve both kinds with a unique blend of our spell.

Visit us at 208 Mill Street, Milford, Ohio 45150 today, and explore our diverse range of beers and mouth-watering cuisines. You can even order online if leaving your cozy place feels troubling.

P.S.: Not a brag but did you know that we were ranked #1 as the best local taproom and ranked #2 as the best local brewery in Cincinnati in 2024?