Beer Styles

Confused what the difference is between an India Pale Ale, Stout, Light Lager, Pilsener?

We're here to help you demystify it all. The big news is that all beer can be classified as either a lager or an ale.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? The difference between the two is in the brewing process, and is defined by the type of yeast used in the brew and the temperature at which fermentation takes place.

Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast which allows for rapid fermentation at warmer temperatures and Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast which ferments more slowly and at colder temperatures.

Lagers

Lagers traditionally ferment at cold temperatures between 12 to 18 deg celsius (years ago, it was actually colder). This type of deep fermentation allows the flavours of the malt and hope to come out.

Lagers are normally less alcoholic, drier and often paler than Ales.

Beers in the lager 'family' include :

Dark Lager
European Lagers
Lager
Pilsener
Premium Lager

Ales

Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeasts at warmer temperatures, ranging from 14 to 25 degrees Celsius. They are matured for a shorter period than lager as well.

Ales are english style beers which are higher in alcohol and generally more complex and robust than lagers.

Beers under the Ale banner include:

Ale
Amber Ale
American Pale Ale
British Pale Ale
Dark Ale
India Pale Ale
Porter
Stout