Why Do We Brew/Drink Ales?

**Grizzlybrew** · 10-29-2009, 01:03 AM

There are so many comments on here about neighbors, friends, relatives that only drink BMC lagers. Why is it that homebrewers tend to brew ales? I know there are plenty (if not half) of people on here brewing quality lagers too. I imagine that many of our first brews were ales and alot of people still prob brew nothing but ales. Do we brew ales because the process is simpler and possibly more forgiving in terms of flavor than lagers? Is that why we like ales - because that's what we brew? Or do we brew ales because we already enjoy drinking them?

I guess what I'm asking is kinda of a which came first kinda question? Actually, I'm not sure quite what I'm asking at all... just curious why so many of the non-brewing population enjoy only BMC's and so many of us (brewers) enjoy all styles of quality brews.

For me, I think I enjoy things more when I understand them, their history, what goes into making them, etc. I still think my tastes would have evolved although a lot slower had it not been for brewing.

So, new question, should we require brewing for all high school graduates (jk) or should we keep this ever-growing club to our selves as long as possible?

alexavery · 10-29-2009, 01:05 AM

I only brew ales cause I have no good temperature control for fermentation. can't really do a lager.

CDbrews · 10-29-2009, 01:08 AM

ales are easier to start with. Those people drinking BMC probably dont know to drink anything else. They grew up drinking them and it has been those beers they have drank since.

SMOKEU · 10-29-2009, 01:13 AM

It's because most people don't like a high quality ale, they prefer cheap nasty lagers from the big breweries which have a lot of money to spend on advertising to brainwash ignorant consumers about how good their (****) product is.

shortyjacobs · 10-29-2009, 01:15 AM

yeah, lagers are so pissy finicky...I'm sure I'll get into it eventually, but it's just a whole nother level that I don't wanna focus on yet.

waldoar15 · 10-29-2009, 01:16 AM

Maybe because 80% of what I bought out of a cooler in bottles was an ale of some sort. I just really don't care to drink most lighter Lagers /Pilsners. <shrug>

**schweaty** · 10-29-2009, 01:18 AM

I find ales to be more diverse and complex than lagers. Not only that but they are usually ready to drink in less time.

**Yooper** · 10-29-2009, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schweaty

I find ales to be more diverse and complex than lagers. Not only that but they are usually ready to drink in less time.

I find that I just really prefer ales, notably APAs and IPAs. I also like other ales, like British mild, EPA, Irish red, and at this moment I'm drinking an oatmeal stout. I make a good California common, too.

I like a few lagers- Maibock, Oktoberfest, Vienna lager, and a good Bohemian pilsner, but overall I much prefer ales.

**Yuri_Rage** · 10-29-2009, 01:20 AM

Several reasons, not limited to these:

First, ales are easy and more forgiving. They ferment near room temperature and will generally tolerate low pitching rates.

Second, most of us like very flavorful beer. Ales are full of yeast character that cannot be found in most lagers.

Third, it's different. In my small town, it's tough to find anything except macro-brewed lagers. There are a few select micros, but they are mostly lagers as well. I doubt this little town is the only one that suffers from poor to no variety in beer choices. If I want something different, I either need to brew it or drive 150 miles to buy it.

**Stuntman** · 10-29-2009, 01:25 AM

Me personally, I like all the different ales that I have produced, they are quite fine. Like Alex Avery, I too have no way to temp control, that is until I get the two Sanyo 4912's that I want to set up. Then SWMBO will get her garage fridge back, and I will have a way to dispense and cold temp ferment. Then can experiment with Lagers for a change of pace. Until then, Ale rules for me.