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Hi! My name is Eddie Leal, I’m the Brew Master here at Steelhead Brewing Company in
Irvine, California. On behalf of expertvillage.com we’ll be talking about the difference between
ales and lagers in this segment. The major difference between the ales and lagers is
basically the yeast that is used and the fermentation; the way it ferments. Lagers, for example is
a bottom fermenting yeast that they use. Also, it ferments at a colder temperature than your
ales. Lagers traditionally ferment starting off at around 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and they
rise up slowly. They let it rise up slowly to about 48 degrees. It also take a longer
amount of time for a lager to ferment and ready to be served; anywhere from the range
between 4-6 weeks usually. Also, lagers are traditionally more smooth and delicate in
it’s flavor profile. Now, ales traditionally has the top fermenting yeast and they ferment
at a higher temperature, usually around 68 degrees. Because of this, usually ales are
more robust and full bodied in it’s flavor profile. Also, the fermentation time for an
ale is less amount of time. It takes less because of the higher temperature; usually
between 2-4 weeks. Now, here at Steelhead Brewing Company we basically brew all ale
products. Ales range from light to dark. An example that we have here is for our light
beer, which is basically a cream ale, our baracouda blonde. Also, for our dark, is our
espresso stout. Those are 2 examples of 2 different types of ales. Lagers also range
from light colored beer to a dark colored beer. Traditionally, like pilzner is a light
colored lager, and bock is dark colored lager. An example of lagers is Coors, Bud, or Miller.
Those are all lager products. Some of the examples for what an ale is that are out there
on the market is like a Bass ale or Sierra Nevada, or a stout like a Guinness, like a
dry stout also.