Of Lagers and Ales – A how to lager overview.

I think of lagers as a polite, refined, gentleman to ale’s gruff, rough and tumble demeanor. A lager is in no rush and takes it’s methodical time to get ready, until it is very clean and their character is smooth and refined. Ales are known for it’s sometimes wild or fast and furious bursts out of the gate, finishing with a certain complex, deep and edgy personality. Lagers sit well among the wine sipping crowd, with their fancy imported Dijon cheeses in a fancy setting and such, while ale is fit to be swigged down in pewter mugs by knights in chain maille and Hobbits in a medieval pub.

Either are splendid to drink and relatively similar to make. Homebrewing a lager, however is not for the impatient! Making an ale is like flying in a jet cross country verses lagering which is akin to taking a train. I love ales; dark, pale, dry hopped, you name it. Though there is something wonderful about sipping a nice cold, lager in a tall, chilled glass on a summer’s day. Read the rest of this entry »