I have a recipe that calls for a dark lager. What's the difference between beer, ale and lager?!
Answers: Similar to varietals in wine, beers have many subcategories as well. Lager is a type of beer that has been through an ageing process called Lagering. it tends to be darker and more robust than regular draft beers, though less thick and dark than a stout ale. Like he said though, there are also differences in the yeast. Check the label if in doubt, but most of the dark lagers you'll find won't be domestic beers like those bottled by anheuiser bush and so forth. Check to see what local brews are available at your grocery store, or search the web for dark lager, to find out some labels to look for.
Ale and Lager are the two most common types of beer. The difference is in the yeast used to frement it and the temperature of the fermentation. Either one should work fine in your recipe.
Bert
The basic answer: Ale is a subset of beer. So is lager. Both ale and lager are beer.
Beer is the generalized term used to describe ales and lager. Ales are the oldest version and are brewed at warmer temperatures using top fermenting yeast. There are more types of ales than there are lagers. Lagers are more common these day even if there aren't as many types. These are brewed at low temperatures with bottom fermenting yeast.
If you are looking for a dark lager for your recipe may I suggest Augustiner Dark if you are in the Pittsburgh area. Negro Modelo is a Vienna style dark lager brewed in Mexico and you can even find Heineken dark if you look around. These aren't the best examples of the style but they are the easiest to find.
Perhaps Sam Adams Black Lager fits into your category. I personally would have a little trouble cooking with it, but I suppose a 5 pack is good too.
Ale is beer brewed with top fermenting ale yeast at temperature around 62-76 degrees farenheit. Good examples are India pale ale, sierra nevada pale ale. These beers have more fruity esters and flavors in them then lagers.
Lager beers are beers brewed with bottom fermenting lager yeasts. They are generally brewed at temperatures ranging from 32-50 degrees farenheit. And is the most commonly consumed in the U.S. Good examples are miller and bud light. They have a cleaner less pronounced flavor.
For your recipe I would use becks dark.