Ales vs. Lagers
Both ales and lagers are brewed in a wide variety of styles from strong and rich(barleywine and dopplebock) to crisp and hoppy(IPA and pilsner). The main difference between the two comes from the type of yeast used and the fermentation process. Ales are fermented at room temperature and typically have a noticeable amount of fruit-smelling esters due to this warm fermentation. The fruitiness can be subdued-as in a dry stout or dominating as in a barleywine.
Lagers on the other hand, lack any fruity character and may be crisp and hoppy like a pilsner or sweet and malty like a dopplebock. Both ales and lagers are malty, but this character can vary from minimal light toast/biscuit note to a thick and chewy symphony. Figure as below is a chart that attempts to visually represent the similarities and difference between beer styles.
Figure- Relative Flavors of Beer Styles This chart is not to any scale but is a subjective attempt to describe how different beer styles taste relative to one another. As an over-simplification, a beer may be Malty-Sweet, Malty-bitter, Fruity-Sweet, or Fruity-Bitter. Each beer style was placed on the chart via a great deal of “arm waving”. The flavors often overlap between styles, and the variation within a single style can often bridge the positions of the styles next to it.
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