What Does Ale And Bitter Taste Like?

[Zsazsa]

I've had beer and i've had lager but never ale or bitter. Are they all similar in taste?

[Zsazsa]

Fyi, i'm having some friends over later hence the alcohol related questions and am not a "raving alkie" well apart from weekends that is :)

[Old_Geezer]

As i understand it, and I may be wrong, beer is an overriding term that includes ales and lagers so having had a lager you have to have had beer.

Bitter is one type of ale. Funnily enough, it is bitter. But different ones will vary. You need to try a few and see what you like, but if you like lager there's probably little hope for you.

In answer to whether they are all similar in taste. No different lagers vary to a small extent, but are very different to ales, which vary considerable amongst themselves. Go visit a beer festival (don't drive) and try a selection of award winning real ales.

[Zsazsa]

Thanks oldgeezer. Any ideas on any popular ones to get for the guys as i hate bitter things so won't be drinking it myself although i'll probably have a try.

[Old_Geezer]

I have a poor memory and tend to forget the ones I like. :-O I'd always recommend Theakston's Old Peculier though, maltly and slightly sweet. Sharp's Doom Bar is nice too. But it is all personal taste really. Maybe try a few bottles of different brews your local shops offer ?

[hammerman]

you can get john smiths smooth...usually a safe bet, London pride or old speckled hen are good, abbotts ale or bombadier are fine too. I drink any of those in cans but there's a lot more selection in bottled ale. Ale tasting can get quite involved so always good to go for a few types.

[alidoc]

Whatever you do do not put real ales in the fridge, lager is drunk cold but to savour the favour of real ale drink it at room temp, thjough use a degree or common sense in the current heat wave it shouldn't be tepid, Old Geezer had some good suggestions, I like Felinfoel {this is pronounced as if the f's were v's not as feeling foul }

[Canary42]

///but if you like lager there's probably little hope for you. ///

LOL. I agree.

[boxtops]

They are all really different - OH likes real ale - stuff like Skrimshander.

[Old_Geezer]

"feeling foul" is what you feel next morning :-)

What did you get and what did you friends think of it ?