Ale vs. Lager or Lager vs. Ale
Ale vs Lager or Lager vs Ale
This question seems to get asked all the time yet is there an answer? I have my views (not just about beer either) as to which I prefer. I bet you do to. So in an attempt to give everyone a chance to answer that age-old question “What are better Ales or Lagers” I have devised a plan.
Below is a list of 30 Ales and 15 Lagers. These represent some of the top beers within many (not all) of the styles of Ales and Lagers. I have chosen the more widely available as opposed to the absolute best in a category.
Now if you have had 10 of the Ales and 5 of the Lagers simply leave a comment on whether you think Ales or Lagers are better. Feel free to list which beers you have had and your reason behind your choice.
If you have not had the required 10 Ales and 5 Lagers go to your nearest beer store and pick some up. Drink the beers then come back and vote.
Ales
1. Alaskan Smoked Porter
2. Allagash White
3. Bells Oberon
4. Bells Two Hearted Ale
5. Duchess De Bourgogne
6. Duvel
7. Founders Breakfast Stout
8. Founders Reds Rye
9. Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel
10. Fullers ESB
11. Fullers London Pride
12. Houblon Chouffe Dobbel IPA Tripel
13. North Coast Old Stock Ale
14. Ommegang Abbey Ale
15. Orval Trappist
16. Paulaner Hefe Weisbier
17. Rochefort 8
18. Rogue Shakespeare Stout
19. St Bernardus Abt 12
20. Saisson Dupont
21. Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale
22. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
23. Schnieder Aventinus
24. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine
25. Stone Arrogant Bastard
26. Stone Imperial Stout
27. Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA
28. Troegs Nugget Nectar
29. Unibroue La Fin Du Monde
30. Youngs Double Chocolate Stout
Lagers
1. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier
2. Anchor Steam
3. Ayinger Celebrator
4. Brooklyn Lager
5. Budweiser Budvar
6. Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
7. Lagunitas Pils “Czech Style Pilsner”
8. Rogue Dead Guy
9. Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner
10. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
11. Samuel Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner
12. Schneider Aventinus Weizen Eisbok
13. Sprecher Black Bavarian
14. Staropramen Dark
15. Victory Prima Pils
Ales I have had
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30,
Lagers I have had
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14
For me I prefer Ales mainly for the increased variety and I feel on average they have more flavor and depth.
But several of my all time favorite beers are Lagers.
I’ve had 21 of the ales and 7 of the lagers. While I tend to prefer ales, I feel that a well crafted lager earns more of my respect. Interestingly when I first really got into beer I thought I didn’t like lagers, but then I had beers like Celebrator and Elliot Ness…
Cheers!
I have not had one or two on both lists. What it boils down to, for me, is if you were to banish either the ale or lager yeast strain from existence, I would miss the ale a great deal more. Now that I think of it, I would rather lose the entire world of lagers than the entire world of Belgian strong ales. The world of lagers or the world of American IPA? Maybe a bit more of a toss up. I do still love you, Ayinger Celebrator!
Trout,
I get your point and agree. But what a shame if we had to do without. Who knows maybe someone will discover a new strain that totally changes beer as we know it.
Also, make note that the craft revolution that we are amidst in the United States is almost wholly reliant upon the ale yeast strain. How many primarily lager brewers have a portfolio that rivals the likes of Jolly Pumpkin, Russian River or Dogfish Head? Who are the major players in increasing the perceived quality of the world of beer and how much would they be hindered if lagers were removed from their portfolio? I would argue not much. The point is, there would be no 16% growth in the craft segment between 2006 and 2007 if brewers were “handcuffed” by only lager offerings. Today, we are actually experiencing the flip side to this coin in the U.S.. A Revive-ale of sorts.