Put simply, there are only two types of beer in the world – Ales and Lagers. Ales have a long history dating back thousands of years, whereas Lagers have only come on the scene in the last few hundred years. The main difference between Ales and Lagers is the yeast used during the brewing process and the temperature at which fermentation is carried out.

Ales are warm-fermented and are made using yeast that rises to the top of the brew during the fermentation process. Due to a relatively fast and warm fermentation, ales are generally stronger in flavour and alcohol content than lagers which are cold-fermented using yeast that sinks to the bottom during the fermentation process. It is not uncommon for ales to be served at their cellaring temperature, around 10 degrees Celsius.

Lager comes from a German word meaning ‘to store’, and unlike ales which can be brewed in seven days, lagers have a much longer fermentation cycle of around four weeks or sometimes even longer. The lagering process generally creates beers which are cleaner, smoother and more mellow in taste than ales, which tend to have a fruitier flavour.

The amount of lager consumed worldwide far outweighs that of ales. However, the sheer explosion of craft breweries both in Australia and around the world is providing consumers with more choice than ever before. Here at Prickly Moses, we strive to create the best beer possible by using the best ingredients possible and water is the key. Our tasting rooms in Barongarook, Apollo Bay and Queenscliff allow people to sample our local beers and talk to our knowledgeable staff about all things beer related.