Taste Difference between Porters, Ales and Lagers

by Dan Koester on May 22, 2013

If you are not a regular beer drinker, you may not realize that there is a huge difference in flavors between the various types of brews. For instance, many people prefer to drink lager over ale, while others enjoy porters or stouts. So, what is the flavor difference between porters, ales and lagers?

  • Lager – Lager drinkers love the taste of their beers, which can range in taste from sweet to bitter, and from pale to black in color. The most popular lagers are pale to medium in color and have a lot of carbonation. The hop flavor is medium to high. You will find many different types of lagers out there, with the most popular being pilsner or pilsner.
  • Ale – Ale is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks on the planet, originally made mainly from malted barley until the 15th century when hops were introduced by the Netherlands, and people started brewing what became known as beer. These days, ale is different from lager because of the way it ferments. Rather than fermenting on the bottom of a vat, it does its work at the top, which is a quicker process. This process also creates more esters and turns less sugar into alcohol, which is why it has a sweeter taste than lager or porter. You will find many different varieties of ale, including India pale ale, mild ale, bitter ale and brown ale, just to name a few.
  • Porter – This is a type of ale that is very different in flavor from all the rest. Its aroma is malty, and it has both the bitterness of hops and the bittersweet taste of chocolate that makes it fun and interesting. This is a strong, dark brew, and it is traditionally created with soft water, where others are brewed with hard water.

When it comes right down to it, the beer you enjoy will depend on a number of factors, including taste. Try some of the different types, including lager, ale and porter, and see which ones become your favorites and join the list of drinks that you will be serving at your next get-together.

Interested in knowing more about the history and evolution of craft beers? My latest book The American Book of Craft Breweries reveals all – get your copy today!

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What You Need to Know about IPAs vs. Ales

by Dan Koester on May 14, 2013

When you watch commercials for various types of beer, you hear all kinds of different terms, such as ale (also known as pale ale) and India pale ale. What is the difference between these two drinks? They are both golden in color, they both have bubbles, and they both have a nice, smooth taste. You might be surprised to learn that there are many differences between IPAs and regular ales.

  • Ale – Way back in the olden days, there weren’t the many different varieties of beer that we have today. In fact, there were only three types of beer. In England, lighter malts were referred to as pale as opposed to beverages made with darker malts. Pale ales have a range of gold shades, and are often more bitter due to the hops used. In fact, ale is sometimes referred to as bitter. You can taste the malt, which is somewhat sweet, and be able to enjoy a strong aroma. There is a huge difference between American-style pale ale and English-style pale ale, because the American version is more citrusy than its brother from across the pond. Some fruits used to brew American ale are lemons and even peaches.
  • India Pale Ale – It’s funny how some things come about. If it hadn’t been for England’s military and trading presence in India in the 18th century, we may never have developed this wonderful drink. Beer that was exported ended up sour and flat by the time it reached India, so it was necessary to find better ways to preserve the drink. The result was an increase in hops and alcohol content, and India pale ale (or IPA) came into being. IPAs have a stronger aroma, and are less fruity than other ales, and the pine and citrus flavors in the hops really shine through. IPAs also have more carbonation than other pale ales.

Now you know the main differences between IPAs and regular pale ales. You will find many home-brewers making both types of drinks, and they are very popular craft beers that microbreweries produce regularly. The next time you are searching for a cold, refreshing drink, try one of the popular ales or IPAs.

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Top Breweries in Pennsylvania

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Your Next Beach Trip Won’t Be Complete without These Top Beers

April 2, 2013

Going to the beach can be a very exciting time. With all that it has to offer, what’s not to like about it? You have the water, sun, boardwalk and everything that you possibly need accept one thing – brew. Brews can be fun when they are brought along. They just fit right into the [...]

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Plan Your Next German Pub Crawl

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If anywhere in the world that can be stereotyped for its brews, that would be Germany. They are well known for their gigantic Oktoberfest and large varieties of brews. If you are planning a trip to Europe anytime soon, you may want to put Germany on your list of stops. Germany offers so much to [...]

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Forget the Vineyards – Top Breweries in Spain

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  If you ever had the opportunity to visit Spain you probably took notice of all the fine wines they had to offer. But, did you notice all of the brews that were offered as well? Spain is becoming famous for all of the different brews that are produced there. Their brews are each individualized [...]

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