I like Abbey Ales and Pale Ales. Ales are often much darker than lagers. They range from rich gold to reddish amber. These beers have a distinctive fruitfulness because of top fermenting and more hops in the wort. I feel it has a very pleasantly bitter seasoning with regulated acidity. Ales have a more assertive and individual personality. (Highland Black Mocha Stout) Alcoholic strength of both are the same. Lagers range from sweet to bitter and pale to black. They have high carbonation and a medium to strong hop flavor. Lagers are the world's most popular beer. They are crisp and refreshing and have a smooth finish as they are aged longer. (Pilsner)
I would say if you put either down in front of me,I would drink up-and both are very good choices for types of beer. I find a lot of the pale ales go with food pretty good,and a good example is of course Sierra Nevada Pale Ale- there are a lot of other ones as well. I use to like Killian's Irish Red Ale(they say its not a real irish red ale though) a lot back in college in the early 80s(on tap)but I have not had it in quite awhile. Anybody have Murphy's Irish Red Ale-this looks very good and authentic?
This just depends on how I am feeling, and also a lot on the weather I would think. I tend to like the darker beers when it is nice and cold outside.
I am a traditional wheat beer enthusiast, so ales are my preferred drink. I love the fruity, citrusy yeasts that Bavarian wheat beers sourced from their traditional stocks and environment. It gives the glass a honeyed appearance and a stiff head that you just don't get with many other beers. I find lagers tend to have a flavor profile that isn't complex enough to satisfy my tastes, and a sweetness I find off-putting.
I like delicious beer. I don't care about arbitrary divisions. As long as it tastes good, I'll take it, 100 percent.
Now that I read others factoring in price, I guess my true self came out and figured that is probably what I base it on too. Ales usually are cheaper, but it all depends.
My opinion here is that, both are nice and I don't want to be biased here. I think the only difference between them is the brewing process, which I guess may not have much effect on their taste. In terms of cost, Ale is cheaper.
It depends on my mood when I drink. If I want higher alcohol content, I would definitely choose Ale but if I want low alcohol content, the I would go for Lager.
I'm usually ready for both, and wouldn't leave a bottle empty if I was given some! Sometimes, I do prefer the darker composition of ale. Like you said, they taste a little bitter, like dark chocolate. Most of my friends here prefer lager, but not me! In spite of my preference, I still love lager too!
I try to avoid anything that comes close to anything like dark chocolate, in texture and taste, but I do like a thicker lager in the winter months. Might have to get some and bundle up tonight.
So I don't know anything about Ale or Lager but I know pilsner urquell is the best beer I've ever had. Guiness has to be my second favorite