National Lager Day: What Is the Difference Between Lager and Ale? Deals From Gourmet Gift Baskets, Drizly, Binny's and More

Today (December 10, 2019) is National Lager Day; a time to celebrate with a pint.

Newsweek has worked with CouponFollow to bring you the best exclusive deals on lagers and all the table snacks that should go with them.

What's the Difference Between Ale and Lager?

According to the American Homebrewers Association, it's all to do with the yeast used to ferment the beverage. Lagers are fermented using a yeast known as Saccharomyces pastorianus, also known as "bottom-fermenting" yeast.

Ales are fermented with Saccharomyces cervisiae yeast. The opposite of lagers, the process used to make ales is referred to as "top-fermenting" because the activity is most obvious on the surface of the beer.

There are some yeasts that are a hybrid of the two, used in beers such as Kölsch and altbier, as well as California common beer.

Temperatures also play an important part in the difference between lagers and ales. Ales ferment at higher, warmer temperatures, such as 60 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

For lagers the temperature for fermentation is on the cooler side. Ranging between 48 and 58 F, the American Homebrewers Association says that lager yeasts can ferment more kinds of sugar than ale yeasts, which results in a flavour "crisper on the palate."

An additional need that separates lager from ale is the "extended cold lagering period," according to the American Homebrewers Association. This period lasts for at least two to three weeks at 32 F. This also results in the smooth and crisp taste of lager.

However, it seems that Americans do not favor lager over ale; the chart below provided by Statista shows that people in the U.S. prefer ale.

National Lager Day Deals 2019

Binny's has discounts on a range of lagers as well as a one hour delivery service through Instacart. To help celebrate this brewtastic day, CouponFollow has also provided Newsweek with exclusive deals for lager enthusiasts.

• Shoppers can save 15 percent off beer gifts at GourmetGiftBaskets.com with code CF15. Use the code on this page which includes gift sets such as:
• Game Night Gift Crate which includes 12 different beers;
• Winter Seasonal Beer Bucket which includes six cold weather inspired beers; and
• Beer Advocate's Gift Basket which includes 12 bottled craft beers.
• Lager lovers can save $5 off orders $20 or more at Drizly.com with code CFDRIZLY5. What's more, Drizly Alcohol Delivery provides a lager delivery service in 60 minutes or less.
• Drinking a lager wouldn't be the same without some snack bowls. Shoppers can save 20 percent on orders of $76 or more at HarryandDavid.com with code HDCF20.
• If that doesn't inspire lager drinkers, then they can also save 20 percent on all purchases at 1800baskets.com with code 18BCF2.