Q:  What is the difference between a lager (Budwiser, Samuel Adams, or Stella Artois) and an ale ( Sierra Nevada, Bass, or Stone)?

A:  Lagers Ferment (A process in which yeast feeds on the sugars to produce alcohol ) in a cold environment on the bottom of the fermentation tank.  Ales ferment on the top in a warm (Room temperature) environment.


Q:  Are there other types of fermentation?

A:  Yes, there are three in total; Lagers, Ales, and Lambics.  Lambic's originate in the brussels region of Belgium, and ferment using natural or wild yeast found in the air.

Q:  Where do all other types of beers fit in (ex: IPA's, Stouts, Porters, Hefe-Weizens, Pilsners, etc)?

A:  Pilsners are golden styles of lagers. Dunkels (Dark) are black lagers. Hefe-Weizens are ales made with wheat and unfiltered yeast.

    IPA's (Indian Pale Ales, ESB's (Extra Special Bitters), Brown Ales, Red Ales, Scottish Ales, Stouts, and Porters are all types of Ales. They vary in color, sweetness, and bitterness depending on the type and amount of hops, the type of yeast strain, and the degree to which the barley  is roasted.

    And this is just the tip of the beer "Ice Burg".  The Belgian make more styles and varieties than the rest of the world combined.

    Most of the beers you'll find at Barley & Hops are English, German, Irish, Belgian or US West Coast Craft Brews.

    Come in for a pint or a half liter and let us educate and help you develope your beer palate. We have a complimentary Century Club card to help you keep track of your first 100 different beers.