Lager – Beer in its simplest form. Barley, hops, yeast, and water. No real apparent flavors come out of this. Just a crisp, clean, carbonated concoction. Lagers are typically brewed using cold water and the yeast is fermented at the bottom. Pilsners and Oktoberfests are some of the more common types that are part of the lager family.
Ale – A bit more complexity is apparent, by taste, in this style compared to a lager. Although it is still a very simple brewing process, this style uses warm water and a different type of yeast, which ferments at the top. Ales typically have a nice malty backbone with some very subtle fruity-esque notes from time to time. Many styles of beer you see on shelves have an ale beginning, such as Wheat beers, Hefeweizens, ESB (Extra Special Bitter), Red Ales, Pale Ales, IPAs, Porters, and Stouts.