I’ve brewed both styles. You’re right that lagering adds a step and not doing it adds significant time to the brewing process, but in terms of the volume at a brewery, that’s really only a one-off time delay. After it’s in a brewing rotation, lagering doesn’t add time to a production schedule. It’s more about storage space and equipment at that point.
IPAs can be significantly more difficult to brew, so if you’re talking about a one-off brew, IPAs are harder to make WELL but faster to brew. Pilsner is easier to make well, but can take longer and/or require an additional step (lagering).
I’ve brewed both styles. You’re right that lagering adds a step and not doing it adds significant time to the brewing process, but in terms of the volume at a brewery, that’s really only a one-off time delay. After it’s in a brewing rotation, lagering doesn’t add time to a production schedule. It’s more about storage space and equipment at that point.
IPAs can be significantly more difficult to brew, so if you’re talking about a one-off brew, IPAs are harder to make WELL but faster to brew. Pilsner is easier to make well, but can take longer and/or require an additional step (lagering).