Explore The Differences: Ale, Bitter, And Beer

Beer is a broader term that encompasses a variety of styles and flavours, while ale is a specific type of beer made with a different kind of yeast and fermented at a different temperature. Ales are typically gold or brown in colour and have a stronger, more bitter taste than lager. They are often called 'bitter'. Lager is made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains and fermented at cooler temperatures than ales, resulting in a smooth, crisp flavour profile. Ales, on the other hand, are brewed with top-fermenting yeast strains and fermented at warmer temperatures, giving them a fruitier, more complex flavour profile.

Ale is a specific type of beer, with a distinct yeast and fermentation process

Beer is a broad term encompassing various styles and flavours, while ale is a specific type of beer with a distinct yeast and fermentation process. Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast strains and fermented at warmer temperatures than lagers, resulting in a fruitier and more complex flavour profile.

The two main types of beer are lager and ale. Lager is fermented with yeast in a cold process, resulting in a pale yellow colour and a smooth, crisp flavour. Ales, on the other hand, are fermented with a different kind of yeast and are often preserved with hops, a type of flower. Ales are typically gold or brown in colour and have a stronger, more bitter taste than lagers, which is why they are often referred to as 'bitter'.

The term bitter has been used in England to describe pale ales since the early 19th century. Bitter is an English style of pale ale that varies in colour from gold to dark amber and in strength from 3% to 5.5% alcohol by volume. The term 'bitter' refers to the inherent bitterness in the hoppy character of pale ales when compared to other beers like stouts and porters.

Different types of ales have distinct flavour profiles. Pale ales and IPAs tend to be hoppy and bitter with citrusy or piney flavours, while brown and amber ales have nutty, caramel notes. Belgian ales stand out for their spicy or fruity flavours, with notes of clove, banana, or dark fruit.

Lager is a type of beer, fermented with yeast in a cold process

Lager is a type of beer that is fermented with yeast in a cold process. This is in contrast to ales, which are fermented with a different kind of yeast and are served at warmer temperatures.

Lager yeast (Saccaromyces pastorianus) ferments at lower temperatures than ale yeast (Saccromyces Cervesiae). This results in a beer with a cleaner flavour profile, as the lower temperature fermentation produces fewer esters and higher alcohols. The extended cold storage, or "lagering", also makes lager more shelf-stable than ale, which is why most of the world's beers are of the lager variety.

Lager is usually a pale yellow colour and is served chilled, whereas ales are gold or brown and have a stronger, more bitter taste. Ales are often called "bitters" due to their more bitter flavour.

The term "bitter" has been used in England to describe pale ale since the early 19th century. During the 20th century, bitter became the most popular type of draught beer sold in British pubs and has been described as "the national drink of England".

While lager takes longer to ferment and requires more attention than ale, making it less attractive to home brewers, the clean flavour profile and longer shelf life make it a popular choice for commercial brewers.

Bitter is a type of English pale ale, with a colour range from gold to dark amber

Bitter beers started to become popular in Britain around the beginning of the 1840s, and by the end of the 19th century, the term "bitter" was being used by brewers. During the 20th century, bitter became the most popular type of draught beer sold in British pubs and has been described as "the national drink of England".

The colour of bitter can be controlled by the addition of caramel colouring, and it can be served at "cellar temperature" of 11 to 14 °C (52 to 57 °F). The flavour of bitter is, as the name suggests, inherently more bitter than other beers like stouts and porters, due to the hops used in the brewing process.

Bitter beers can vary in strength, with alcohol by volume ranging from under 3% to as high as 7%. The average bitter beer strength in the UK in 2020 was measured at 4.2% ABV.

Ales are darker than most beers, with a complex and fruity flavour profile

Ales are a specific type of beer, with a distinct brewing process and flavour profile. The brewing process involves fermenting with a different kind of yeast and at a warmer temperature than lager. Ales are also brewed with hops, a flower used as a preservative and to add flavour.

The warmer fermentation temperature of ales results in a more complex and fruitier flavour profile than lagers. Ales are darker than most beers, ranging from light amber to dark brown in colour. The specific shade depends on the type of ale and the amount of malt used in the brewing process. For example, pale ales and IPAs tend to be lighter in colour, ranging from light amber to golden, while brown ales and amber ales are darker, ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown.

Belgian ales can be even darker, with some varieties, such as dubbel and quadrupel, being nearly black. The darker colour of ales is due to the use of darker malts, such as caramel or chocolate malt, which also contributes to their more complex flavour.

The flavour profile of ales is also influenced by the types of hops used. High-alpha-acid hops, for example, contribute to a bitter, hoppy taste. As a result, ales are known for their characteristic fruitiness and complexity, with a wide range of flavours, including nutty, caramel, spicy, and fruity notes.

Beer is a broader term, with various styles and flavours

Lager is a type of beer made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains and is fermented at cooler temperatures than ales. It tends to have a smooth, crisp flavour profile with a lower fruitiness level than ales. Popular lager types include pilsners, bocks, and Vienna lagers.

On the other hand, ale is a specific type of beer within the broader category of beer. It is made with a different kind of yeast and is fermented at a different temperature, resulting in a fruitier and more complex flavour profile. Ales come in various styles, including brown ale, pale ale, India pale ale (IPA), Belgian ale, and stout. These styles differ in colour, alcohol content, and flavour profile but share a characteristic fruitiness and complexity.

The term "bitter" is used to describe a style of pale ale that has been popular in Britain since the early 19th century. Bitter beers vary in colour from gold to dark amber and typically have an alcohol content between 3% and 5.5% by volume. The term "bitter" refers to the inherent bitterness or hoppiness of the beer when compared to other styles like stouts and porters.

While "pale ale" and "bitter" were initially used interchangeably by brewers, over time the term "bitter" became more commonly used by pub-goers to differentiate the drink from sweeter, milder ales.

Frequently asked questions