What is the difference between ales and lagers?

Answer by  pieface (273)

The difference between a lager and ale is the temperature in which the beer is fermented at and the yeast used during fermentation. Lager is fermented at 46-55F degrees with a bottom-feeding yeast and ales are fermented between 65-75F degrees with a top-feeding yeast. Ales typically taste sweeter and have a richer mouth-feel than lagers.

Answer by  JackofCrows (17)

There's 2 ways to look at the difference. The first is via the brewing method - ale is fermented with a different kind of yeast than lager, at a warmer temperature, and tends to use more hops and malt. The other is taste - ideally, ale should be complex, with multiple flavors, while lager should have a strong central flavor.

Answer by  Fulkron (79)

The major difference, from what I can tell, is the temperature at which the beer is fermented. Lagers are fermented between 52 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit, while ales are fermented between 64 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the temperature difference, the two also use different kinds of yeast. All this leads to a difference in flavor between the two.

Answer by  Teresa32 (314)

I believe the difference is the type of hops that you use. Also temperature plays a big role as well. Lagers need to be fermented at a lower temperature than ales.