| Yeast is a single-cell critter found in many varieties, from the wild stuff in apple orchards to the packaged kind beloved by bakers. But it all works in the same way. A yeast cell "eats" a molecule of sugar and gives off, as by-products, alcohol and carbon dioxide (fizz!). |
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Beer yeasts basically come in two types: "ale yeast" works at warm temperatures (60°-70° F) usually produces "fruity" flavor compounds as fermentation by-products; "lager yeast" prefers a cooler environment (50°-60° F) and works more slowly, yielding fewer distinct flavors. So what's the difference between ales and lagers? Simply the yeast used, and the temperature of fermentation. |
