Draught Vs Lager Beer: What's The Real Difference?

Lager and draught are two terms associated with beer, the world's most popular alcoholic beverage. While lager is a type of beer, draught beer is not. Lager is a German word that refers to the act of storing and is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast. It is produced at low temperatures and can be of various colours like amber, dark or pale. Draught beer, on the other hand, is served from a cask or keg instead of a can or bottle. It ferments naturally in a cask and is consumed unpasteurised.

Draught beer is stored in casks or kegs, not bottles or cans

Draught beer is stored in casks or kegs, which are large containers with a capacity of 5 gallons or more. It is served directly from these containers and is not bottled or canned. Draught beer is traditionally brewed and stored, maturing naturally in the cask. It is then served unpasteurized, which means it has not been treated with heat to kill bacteria and prolong shelf life. This gives draught beer a shorter shelf life than bottled or canned beers.

The word "draught" refers to the method of serving beer, indicating that it is drawn or poured from a tap or keg. It is not a type of beer but rather a designation for beer served from a cask or keg. On the other hand, lager beer is a specific type of beer that is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast, which settles at the bottom during fermentation.

The main difference between draught and lager beers lies in their storage and serving methods, as well as the fermentation process. Draught beer is stored in casks or kegs and served unpasteurized, while lager beer undergoes pasteurization and is bottled for consumption. Draught beer is traditionally brewed and consumed directly from the cask, preserving the natural maturation process.

It is worth noting that some manufacturers market their bottled or canned beers as "draft" or "draught" to give the impression that the beer is coming straight from a keg. However, true draught beer is served from a cask or keg and is unpasteurized, contributing to its unique taste and characteristics.

Lager is a type of beer, but draught is not

Draught beer is a word used to refer to beer that is kept and stored in large containers called casks with a capacity of 5 gallons or more. It is brewed and stored in the traditional way, maturing naturally in the cask and served unpasteurised from the cask rather than from a bottle or can. It is consumed directly from a keg or cask and has to be consumed within three days of opening the cask. It is not pasteurised and has to be kept at low temperatures all the time.

Lager and draught beers differ in the way they are prepared. Lager beer is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast, while draught beer is brewed using top-fermenting yeast. Lager beer is pasteurised and stored for a long time in a cask before it is bottled and consumed, whereas draught beer is consumed unpasteurised.

Lager is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast

Lager is a type of beer that is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast. This means that the yeast settles at the bottom during fermentation rather than floating at the top, as is the case with ales. The yeast used for lager brewing is called Saccharomyces pastorianus, which is related to the yeast used for warm-fermented ales (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Lager yeast ferments at relatively cold temperatures, and the beer is produced or prepared at a low temperature.

Before the 19th century, lagerbier was a German word used to describe any cool-conditioned beer and bottom-fermented. However, today, in Germany, it specifically refers to beers in Southern Germany, such as Dunkel (dark) and Helles (pale). Traditionally, German brewers would dig cellars for lagering and fill them with ice from nearby lakes and rivers to cool the beer during the summer. They would also plant chestnut trees to help preserve the cellars from the summer heat. With the invention of refrigeration, brewing lager beer year-round became possible.

Lager beers come in various colours, including amber, dark, or pale. Pale lager is the most popular and widely consumed type of lager globally. The colour of lager beers depends on the particular grain bill used. For example, pale lagers use unroasted barley and other grains like rice or corn to achieve a lighter colour and a crisp, bright finish. In contrast, darker lagers use roasted grains and malts, resulting in a more roasted or burnt flavour profile.

Lager beers are produced worldwide, and there are variations in colour, flavour, composition, and alcohol content. The fermentation and maturation processes for lager beer occur at cold temperatures, and the beer is pasteurized and stored for extended periods before bottling.

Draught beer is unpasteurised, but lager is pasteurised

Draught beer is served from a cask or keg, maturing naturally and unpasteurised, and should be consumed within three days of the cask opening. In contrast, lager beer is pasteurised and stored for a long time in a cask before bottling and consumption.

Lager, derived from the German word 'lagern' meaning 'to store', is produced or prepared at a low temperature. Before refrigeration, German brewers would dig cellars for lagering and fill them with ice from nearby lakes and rivers to cool the beer in summer. They would also plant chestnut trees to preserve the cellars from the summer heat. Lager beers come in various colours, including amber, dark and pale, with the latter being the most popular.

Draught beer, on the other hand, is not a type of beer but a method of serving it. It is stored and served from large containers called casks or kegs, which hold five gallons or more. The terms "draught" and "draft" are often used as marketing concepts to describe bottled or canned beers, implying that they taste like beers served from a cask or keg. However, it is incorrect to refer to any beer that is not served from a barrel or cask as "draught".

Lager is bottom-fermented, with yeast settling at the bottom, while draught beer is brewed using top-fermenting yeast. Lager is brewed using Saccharomyces pastorianus, a "bottom-fermenting" yeast that ferments at relatively cold temperatures. This yeast is closely related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast used for warm-fermented ales.

In summary, draught beer is unpasteurised and consumed directly from a cask or keg, while lager is pasteurised and stored for extended periods before bottling and consumption.

Lager is stored for longer than draught beer

Lager and draught are terms associated with beer, the most popular and highly consumed alcoholic beverage globally. While lager is a type of beer, draught beer is not. Lager is produced or prepared at low temperatures, and it can take months before it is ready to be consumed. The word "lager" comes from the German word "lagern", which means "to store".

Lager and draught beer differ in the way they are prepared and served. Lager is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast, while draught beer uses top-fermenting yeast. Lager is also available in cans and bottles and can be consumed anywhere, whereas draught beer is typically served in pubs and other places where it is kept and served.

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