Beer Vs. Ale: Supreme Court's Verdict

In 2020, a satirical piece in The New Yorker humorously reported on a conflict between Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, sparked by Barrett's refusal to disclose her beer preferences. The article, written by Andy Borowitz, highlights the importance of beer in Kavanaugh's life, as evidenced by his extensive collection of microbrews and IPAs, and his desire to keep the office fridge stocked with grain-based beverages. This lighthearted piece offers a glimpse into the personal lives of Supreme Court justices and their beverage choices.

In a more serious context, the terms beer and ale have distinct meanings in the world of brewing and drinking culture. Beer is a broader term, encompassing various styles and flavors, while ale is a specific type of beer made with a different kind of yeast and fermented at warmer temperatures. Ales often have a fruitier and more complex flavor profile compared to lagers, which tend to be smoother and crisper. The difference between lager and ale is primarily in the type of yeast used and the fermentation temperature, resulting in distinct flavor profiles and appearances.

Brewing process

The brewing process for beer and ale is largely the same, but there are some key differences. Both are fermented alcoholic beverages made with grains, water, yeast, and hops. However, the type of yeast and fermentation temperature used in the brewing process are what differentiate beer and ale.

Lager Brewing Process

Lagers are made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, such as saccharomyces uvarum, and are fermented at cooler temperatures than ales. The yeast settles at the bottom of the beer, and the fermenting process is longer. The yeast in lager has a lower tolerance for alcohol than the yeast used in ales. Lagers tend to have a smooth, crisp flavour profile with a lower fruitiness flavour level than ales.

Ale Brewing Process

Ales, on the other hand, are brewed with top-fermenting yeast strains, such as saccharomyces cerevisiae, and are fermented at warmer temperatures. The yeast ferments at the top of the beer and settles at the bottom towards the end of fermentation. The warmer fermentation temperature results in a fruitier, more complex flavour profile for ales. Additionally, ales have a higher tolerance for alcohol than lagers.

Hops

The amount of hops used also differs between the two. Ales have more hops than lagers in most cases, and craft beers tend to have even more. Under colder fermentation conditions, such as those used for lagers, more flavour is preserved from the hops, meaning fewer hops are needed to create the desired flavour.

Fermentation Time

The fermentation time varies between lagers and ales due to their different fermentation temperatures. Ales, fermented at a higher temperature, can be ready in less than a week, while lagers, fermented at cooler temperatures, can take 1 to 3 weeks for primary fermentation, followed by 6 to 8 weeks of cold conditioning.

Classification

The classification of beer and ale is largely based on the type of yeast used and the fermentation process. Beer is a broader term that encompasses various styles and flavours, while ale is a specific type of beer.

The two main categories of beer are lagers and ales. Lagers are made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains and are fermented at cooler temperatures than ales. They have a smooth, crisp flavour profile with a lower fruitiness level than ales. Some popular types of lager include pilsners, bocks, and Vienna lagers.

On the other hand, ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast strains and are fermented at warmer temperatures. This results in a fruitier, more complex flavour profile. There are several styles of ales, 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 difference in the fermentation process also affects the appearance of lager and ale beers. Lager beers tend to be lighter in colour than ales, although there are exceptions. Lager beers, such as pilsners, lagers, and wheat beers, often range from pale yellow to light gold. In contrast, ales can vary from light to dark but are typically darker, with brown ales and amber ales ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown.

The type of yeast and fermentation process also contribute to the distinct taste profiles of lager and ale. Lager tends to have a smoother, more crisp flavour, while ale is known for its complex, fruity notes. Lager beers, including pilsners, lagers, and wheat beers, have a mild, slightly bitter taste. In comparison, ales offer a wide range of flavours, with pale ales and IPAs known for their hoppy and bitter profiles, while brown and amber ales lean towards nutty and caramel notes.

Appearance

When it comes to appearance, the difference between lager and ale can be significant, but it depends on the specific styles of beer being compared. In general, lager beer tends to be lighter in colour than ale beer, although there are exceptions to this rule.

Beer styles such as pilsners, lagers, and wheat beers are often light in colour, ranging from pale yellow to light gold. These beers are typically brewed with pale malt and are often filtered to remove any sediment or haze, resulting in a clear, bright appearance. Some darker beer styles, such as porters and stouts, can be quite dark in colour, ranging from deep brown to black.

Ales, on the other hand, can vary in colour from light to dark, but they tend to be darker than most beers. Pale ales and IPAs can be similar in colour to some lighter beers, ranging from light amber to golden. Brown ales and amber ales are often darker in colour, ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown. Belgian ales can be even darker, ranging from amber to dark brown, with some styles, such as dubbel and quadrupel, being nearly black in colour.

The reason for the difference in colour between lager beers and ales comes down to the types of malt used in each style. Lager beer is often brewed with pale malt, which is a lightly roasted malt that produces a light colour and mild flavour.

On the other hand, ales are often brewed with darker malts, such as caramel malt or chocolate malt, which produces a darker colour and a more complex flavour profile. The amount of malt used in the brewing process can also affect the final product's colour, with more malt resulting in a darker colour.

The appearance of a beer is not just about its colour, but also its clarity and carbonation. Lager beers are typically clear and bright, with a smooth, crisp mouthfeel. Ales, on the other hand, can vary in appearance from clear to cloudy, with a range of carbonation levels. Some ales, such as Belgian ales, tend to be highly carbonated, while others, such as English-style ales, may have a more subtle level of carbonation.

The serving temperature can also affect the appearance of a beer. Lagers are typically served well-chilled, which can enhance their clear, bright appearance. Ales, on the other hand, are often served at a slightly warmer temperature, which can bring out their complex flavours and aromas.

Taste profile

The differences in the taste profiles of beer and ale are largely due to the different fermentation processes and types of yeast used in their production.

Beer, or more specifically lager, tends to have a smoother, crisper, and more refreshing flavour than ale. Beer styles such as pilsners, lagers, and wheat beers often have a mild, slightly bitter taste and a clean finish. Some darker beer styles, like porters and stouts, have a richer, more roasted flavour profile, with notes of chocolate or coffee.

On the other hand, ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, resulting in a fruitier, more complex, and bitter flavour profile. Ales come in various styles, including brown ale, pale ale, India pale ale (IPA), Belgian ale, and stout, each with distinct taste characteristics. Pale ales and IPAs are often hoppy and bitter, with citrusy or piney flavours. Brown and amber ales can have nutty and caramel flavours, while Belgian ales can be spicy or fruity, with notes of clove, banana, or dark fruit.

The types of hops used also contribute to the taste difference between beer and ale. Beer styles like pilsners and lagers are brewed with mild, low-alpha-acid hops, resulting in a milder flavour. In contrast, ales can be made with a wide range of hops, including high-alpha-acid hops that impart a bitter, hoppy flavour.

Yeast type

The type of yeast used is a key difference between beer and ale. In fact, the difference between lager and ale primarily comes down to the type of yeast used in the fermentation process. Lager is made with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, while ale is made with top-fermenting yeast strains.

The yeast used in the lager brewing process is called saccharomyces uvarum. This type of yeast does not rise to the surface of the brewing container and is therefore classified as a Bottom Fermenting Beer. Saccharomyces uvarum requires much more delicate handling than ale yeast because even slight variations in taste, quality, and clarity depend on factors like fermentation speed.

Ale, on the other hand, is brewed with the yeast strain saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is often used in winemaking and baking. This type of yeast rises to the top of the container during brewing and then sinks back to the bottom once the process has ended, indicating to the brewer that the ale is done. Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments at a higher temperature than lager yeast and is known for its ability to top ferment. After the first 12 hours of fermentation, many ale yeast strains will rise to the surface and ferment from the top of the beer for 3–4 days. This allows brewers to collect the yeast from the top, a practice called top cropping. The advantage of top cropping is a great crop of yeast, healthy and with little protein mixed in. The disadvantage of this method is the exposure to the environment. If the fermentation room is not sanitary, the yeast can easily be contaminated.

Lager yeast ferments at colder temperatures than ale yeast, in the range of 50–55 °F (10–13 °C), while ale yeast has an ideal fermentation temperature of around 68 °F (20 °C). Lager yeast tends to gather toward the bottom of the fermentation vessel, while ale yeast forms a thick layer of foam at the top of the wort during fermentation.

Ale yeast is also known for its unique flavor production, producing more esters that lead to fruity and/or complex flavors and aromas. The higher ale fermentation temperatures can also accentuate this tendency.

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