Step into any store that sells beer and it is easy to see that there are many different styles and variations of this beverage available. You can find shelves and shelves of the stuff from locally brewed to mass-produced to rare brews from across the world. Different types of ingredients, brewing techniques, and fermentation processes contribute to the wide variety of beers available to consumers, and many people have their own preferences on what they prefer to drink. The beers can range from light and refreshing to dark and complex, and they can be malty, hoppy, bitter, sweet, or a combination of flavors. But how much do you know about the basic types of beers? Do you know the difference between a lager and a pilsner and an ale and a stout and so on? To help you keep score, following is a rundown of the main categories along with some examples from each:
Lagers: These beers are fermented and conditioned at low temperatures, and they are known for their crisp, clean taste. Common types of lagers include:
Pilsner: A pale, refreshing beer with a noticeable hop bitterness and a slightly malty flavor.
Helles: A German-style pale lager that is malt-forward and has a balanced, mild hop bitterness.
Bock: A strong lager with a rich, malty flavor and sometimes hints of caramel or chocolate.
Examples: Budweiser, Coors, and Miller are among the most widely known lagers, but there are plenty of selections beyond that. Others include Samuel Adams Boston Lager, New Belgium Fat Tire, Amstel, Heineken, Modelo Especial, Shiner Bock, and more.
Ales: These beers are fermented at warmer temperatures and often have more complex and fruity flavors and are typically stronger on the hops. Types of ales include:
Pale Ale: A hoppy and often slightly fruity ale that can range from golden to amber in color.
IPA (India Pale Ale): A bolder variation on ale known for its strong hop bitterness and often floral or citrusy aroma. Variations include American IPA, British IPA, and Double IPA (DIPA).
Stout: A dark, rich beer with flavors of roasted malt, chocolate, and sometimes coffee. Varieties include Dry Stout, Sweet Stout, and Imperial Stout.
Examples: Among the most popular ales available are Siera Nevada Pale Ale, Lagunitas IPA, and Guinness Stout. Other examples include New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, Founders All Day IPA, Bass Ale, Stone IPA, and Full Sail Amber.
Wheat Beers: These beers are brewed with a significant proportion of wheat in addition to barley. They tend to be lighter and sometimes have a cloudy appearance which comes from the suspended proteins from the wheat. Two main types of wheat beers are:
Witbier: A Belgian-style wheat beer often brewed with spices like coriander and orange peel, resulting in a refreshing and slightly fruity flavor.
Hefeweizen: A German-style wheat beer known for its banana and clove-like flavors, often with a cloudy appearance.
Examples: Probably the best-known wheat beer is Blue Moon, though it is actually a cross-over with an ale. Others include Paulaner Hefe-Weizen, Samuel Adams Summer Ale, Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier, Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat, and Live Oak Hefeweizen
Belgian Styles: Belgium is famous for its diverse range of beer styles, often characterized by unique yeast strains and complex flavors. Some notable Belgian styles include:
Dubbel: A dark, malty ale with flavors of dried fruit, caramel, and spices.
Tripel: A strong, pale ale with a slightly sweet character and often a higher alcohol content.
Saison: A farmhouse ale with a fruity and spicy character, originally brewed in the Wallonia region of Belgium.
Examples: The Chimay Belgian ales are some of the best known, but others include Duval, St. Bernadus, Trappistes Rochefort, Leffe Blond, and New Belgian Trippel
Sour Beer: Sour beers are intentionally brewed to have a tart or sour taste, achieved through various methods of fermentation and aging. Examples include:
Berliner Weisse: A low-alcohol, pale, and cloudy German-style sour wheat beer often served with flavored syrups.
Gose: A German-style sour beer brewed with coriander and salt, offering a unique and slightly salty flavor profile.
Lambic: A traditional Belgian sour beer often spontaneously fermented, with fruity and complex flavors.
Examples: Lindeman’s is probably the best-known among the sour/lambic beers but others include Victory Sour Monkey, Sierra Nevada Wild Little Thing, Lagunitas Aunt Sally, and Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale
Specialty and Hybrid Beers: These encompass a wide range of experimental and blended styles that may incorporate various ingredients and techniques. The various types include Kolsch, fruit beers, barrel-aged beers, altbier, steam beer, and more.
Examples: Abita Purple Haze, Prost Kolsch, Real Ale Black Quad, Brauerei Schumacher Alt, Anchor Steam
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