An ale is a beer that uses top-fermenting yeast (think Pale Ale), as opposed to a lager, which uses bottom-fermenting yeasts (think Pilsner Urquell). An ale is also likely far fruitier and sweeter than a lager, which is generally more bitter and and maltier. It's as easy to brew an ale as it is to brew a lager, however, giving you a wealth of options when you're ready to learn brew beers.
Instructions
1. Steep any special grains included in your recipe prior to adding other ingredients for the wort. Failing to do this will inhibit the flavors in the grains.
2. Prepare your wort in roughly the same way you would for a lager. The proportions of the ingredients don't alter much from one recipe to the next, so just be sure to follow the recipe instructions closely. Also, if you're not using a malt extract, then you're going to need to prepare your mash before you prepare the wort.
3. Get your yeast ready by first re-hydrating it, and then placing it in the fermentation bucket. For an ale, you're going to want to let the wort cool to room temperature before placing it in the bucket.
4. Pour your wort into the fermentation bucket. It's important to add the yeast first: even though it is top fermenting, if you don't place the yeast in the bucket first, it will simply sit at the top and take far longer to work than if it is mixed in first.
5. Leave the mixture alone for the entire fermentation process. The length of time it takes varies by recipe (1 to 2 weeks is the most common). After the primary fermentation is complete, you can add the priming sugar, which will carbonate the ale.
Tags: fermentation bucket, lager which, your wort