I love a beer. What can I say: i’m a cliche.
There are so many different types of beer to try that shopping for something new never gets dull. From a crisp pilsner on a hot day to a fruity pint of real ale at Christmas, it’s all beautiful stuff.
The world of beer boasts an array of captivating varieties, each with its unique character and flavours, and i’m going to go through them all here.
Too many people stick to the same old tipple. They lock themselves in as a person who drinks one specific type of beer, but if that sounds like you I promise you are missing out.
So broaden your horizons, as I unravel the intricacies of beer and the nuances that distinguish one style from another. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this comprehensive guide promises to elevate your appreciation for the art of brewing and the sheer breadth of beer styles available.
Glasses at the read chaps.
Lagers: Crisp and Refreshing
Lagers are the epitome of refreshment, crafted with a meticulous brewing process that involves cold fermentation and a delicate touch of bottom-fermenting yeast. These beers are renowned for their clean, crisp flavours and their ability to quench even the most persistent thirst.
Pale Lagers
Pale lagers are the quintessential crowd-pleasers, offering a delightfully light and crisp taste that pairs effortlessly with a wide array of cuisines. These beers are characterised by their pale golden hue, moderate hop bitterness, and a subtle malt backbone that lends a delicate sweetness to the overall flavour profile.
American Lager
The American lager is a true icon, a beer that has become synonymous with backyard barbecues, sporting events, and casual gatherings. Its super light body and crisp taste make it an easy-drinking companion, perfect for those seeking a refreshing and uncomplicated beverage that won’t hurt the day after.
Pilsner
Originating from the Czech Republic, the pilsner is a style that has captured the hearts of beer enthusiasts worldwide. These beers are distinguished by their pale golden colour, floral hop aroma, and a well-balanced bitterness that lingers pleasantly on the palate. Often seen as the upper echelon of the lager world.
Amber and Red Lagers
Amber and red lagers are the embodiment of toasty indulgence, offering a delightful balance of malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness. These beers are characterised by their rich, copper-hued appearance and a depth of flavour that ranges from caramel to toffee notes.
Vienna Lager
The Vienna lager is a true gem, boasting a delicate balance of toasted malt flavours and a subtle hop presence. Its deep amber hue and smooth mouthfeel make it a perfect accompaniment to hearty dishes and cosy evenings alike.
Oktoberfest
Celebrated during the famous Oktoberfest festivities, the Märzen-style lager is a true embodiment of German brewing traditions. Its rich, toasty malt character is complemented by a gentle hop bitterness, creating a harmonious flavour profile that pairs exquisitely with traditional German fare.
Dark Lagers
Dark lagers are the epitome of indulgence, offering a rich and robust flavour profile that tantalises the senses. These beers are characterised by their deep, almost opaque hues, ranging from dark brown to near-black.
Schwarzbier
The Schwarzbier, or “black beer,” is a true marvel, boasting a deep, dark colour that belies its surprisingly light and crisp body. Notes of roasted malt and a hint of chocolate create a delightful contrast, making it a perfect companion for heartier dishes and cooler evenings.
Dunkel
The Dunkel, or “dark lager,” is a beer that defies expectations. Despite its deep, mahogany hue, it offers a smooth and well-balanced flavour profile, with notes of caramel, bread crust, and a subtle hint of roasted malt.
Ales: Robust and Flavourful
Ales are the epitome of bold and flavourful brewing, crafted with top-fermenting yeast strains that thrive in warmer temperatures. These beers boast a diverse range of flavour profiles, from the hoppy bitterness of IPAs to the rich, malty sweetness of stouts and porters.
Pale Ales
Pale ales are the embodyment of hop-forward brewing, offering a delightful balance of bitterness and malt sweetness. These beers are characterised by their vibrant golden hues and a distinct hop aroma that ranges from citrusy to piney.
American Pale Ale
The American pale ale is a true icon of the craft beer movement, boasting a bold hop character that is perfectly balanced by a sturdy malt backbone. These beers are often showcased for the vibrant and aromatic hop varieties that have become synonymous with American brewing.
English Pale Ale
The English pale ale, also known as a “bitter,” is a true classic, offering a delightful interplay of malt sweetness and earthy hop notes. These beers are characterised by their deep golden hue and a well-rounded flavour profile that pairs exquisitely with traditional English fare.
India Pale Ales (IPAs)
India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are the bold and hoppy trailblazers of the beer world, renowned for their intense hop character and robust flavour profiles.
American IPA
The American IPA is a true celebration of hops, boasting a bold and assertive bitterness that is perfectly balanced by a sturdy malt backbone. These beers often showcase a vibrant array of hop aromas, ranging from citrusy to piney, creating a flavour experience that is both complex and deeply satisfying.
Imperial or Double IPA
For those seeking an even bolder hop experience, the Imperial or Double IPA is a true tour de force. These beers are characterised by their intense hop bitterness, robust malt backbone, and higher alcohol content, creating a flavour profile that is both bold and deeply satisfying.
New England IPA
The New England IPA, also known as the “Hazy IPA,” is a relatively new addition to the IPA family, but one that has quickly captured the hearts of beer enthusiasts. These beers are characterised by their hazy, unfiltered appearance, juicy hop aromas, and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel that perfectly balances the hop bitterness.
Stouts and Porters
Stouts and porters are the result of rich and indulgent brewing, offering a depth of flavour that is both bold, heavy and deeply satisfying.
Stout
Stouts are the embodiment of bold and robust flavours, boasting a deep, almost opaque colour and a rich, roasted malt character that often hints at notes of coffee, chocolate, and even dark fruits. From the creamy and smooth oatmeal stout to the intense and bold imperial stout, these beers are a true delight for those seeking a extra flavourful and indulgent experience.
Porter
Porters are the slightly lighter cousins of stouts, offering a delightful balance of roasted malt flavours and a subtle hop presence. These beers are characterised by their deep brown hue and a rich, slightly sweet flavour profile that often hints at notes of caramel, toffee, and even hints of chocolate.
Wheat Beers
Wheat beers are a perfect blend of refreshment and effervescence, offering a delightful mixture of citrusy and spicy notes that make them perfect for warm weather enjoyment.
Hefeweizen
The Hefeweizen, or “wheat beer,” is a true classic, boasting a hazy, unfiltered appearance and a delightful blend of banana and clove notes that are imparted by the unique yeast strains used in its production. These beers are characterised by their light and refreshing body, making them the perfect companions for warm summer days.
Witbier
The Witbier, or “white beer,” is a Belgian-style wheat beer that is characterised by its light and effervescent body, as well as its delightful blend of citrusy and spicy notes. These beers often feature the addition of coriander and orange peel, creating a flavour profile that is both refreshing and satiating.
Belgian Ales
Belgian ales are all about intricate and sophisticated brewing, boasting a diverse range of flavour profiles that are often the result of unique yeast strains and traditional brewing techniques.
Belgian Tripel
The Belgian Tripel is a true marvel of brewing, offering a delicate balance of malt sweetness, fruity esters, and a subtle hop bitterness. These beers are characterised by their pale golden hue and their higher alcohol content, which lends a warmth and complexity to the overall flavour profile.
Belgian Dubbel
The Belgian Dubbel is a true embodiment of rich and indulgent brewing, boasting a deep, mahogany hue and a delightful blend of caramel, dark fruit, and spicy notes. These beers are characterised by their full-bodied mouthfeel and their ability to pair exquisitely with a wide range of rich and flavourful dishes.
Belgian Saison
The Belgian Saison is a celebration of rustic and farmhouse brewing traditions, offering a delightful blend of spicy, fruity, and earthy notes. These beers are characterised by their light and effervescent body, making them perfect for warmer weather.
Sour Ales
Sour ales are created by bold and adventurous brewers, offering a delightful blend of tart and tantalising flavours that are the result of unique fermentation processes and the addition of wild yeast strains and bacteria.
Berliner Weisse
The Berliner Weisse is a true classic of the sour ale world, boasting a delightfully tart and refreshing flavour profile that is often complemented by the addition of fruit syrups or woodruff.
Flanders Red Ale
The Flanders Red Ale offers a delightful blend of tart and fruity notes that are the result of the unique fermentation process mentioned earlier. These beers are characterised by their deep, ruby-red hue and their ability to pair exquisitely with a wide range of rich and flavourful dishes.
Gueuze
The Gueuze offers a delightfully complex and tart flavour profile that is the result of a unique blending process involving young and aged lambic beers. These beers are characterised by their dry and effervescent body, making them the perfect choice for those seeking a truly unique and adventurous drink.
Specialty and Experimental Beers: Brewing Innovation
Brewers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible, creating a diverse range of specialty and experimental beers that defy traditional categorisation.
Fruit Beers
Fruit beers are a happy marriage between beer and the vibrant flavours of fresh fruits. From the tart and refreshing notes of raspberry and cherry to the rich and indulgent flavours of chocolate and coffee, these beers are mouth-watering and flavourful.
Smoked Beers
Smoked beers are a true testament to the experimental nature of brewing, offering a delightful blend of smoky and robust flavours that are the result of unique smoking techniques. These beers often showcase notes of campfire, bacon, and even hints of barbecue. It sounds weird but it tastes good.
Barrel-Aged Beers
Barrel-aged beers have rich and complex flavours imparted by aging in various types of wooden barrels. From the rich and indulgent notes of bourbon and whiskey to the subtle and nuanced flavours of oak and vanilla.
Gluten-Free Beers
In a world where dietary restrictions and preferences are becoming increasingly important, gluten-free beers offer an inclusive and not unpleasant alternative for those with intolerances. These beers are crafted using alternative grains and ingredients, creating a diverse range of flavour profiles that you won’t get using traditional ingredients.
