The primary ingredients for brewing beer are water, malt (usually barley), hops, and yeast. Depending on the recipe, you might also use additional ingredients like fruits, spices, or honey to add unique flavours.

The brewing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of beer you’re making. The initial brewing and fermentation typically take about 1-2 weeks, followed by conditioning and carbonation which can take an additional 2-4 weeks.

The main difference between ale and lager is the type of yeast used and the fermentation temperature. Ales are fermented with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, while lagers are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures. This results in different flavour profiles and characteristics.