A Beginner's Guide to the Different Beer Styles
If you're new to the world of beer, it can be overwhelming to navigate the hundreds of beer styles available. In this guide, we'll provide an overview of the most common beer styles and their characteristics.
Lager
Lager is one of the most popular beer styles in the world. These beers are brewed with a bottom-fermenting yeast that works at colder temperatures than ale yeast. Lagers range from light to dark and are typically crisp, clean, and refreshing in flavor.
Pilsner
Pilsner is a type of lager that originated in the Czech Republic. Pilsners are light in color and have a slightly bitter taste due to the use of noble hops. They are often highly carbonated and have a frothy head.
Ale
Ales are brewed with a top-fermenting yeast and ferment at warmer temperatures than lagers. The resulting brews are typically fruitier and more complex in flavor than lagers. Ales can be further broken down by sub-styles such as pale ale, wheat ale, and IPA.
Stout
Stout is a dark, roasty beer style that originated in Ireland. Stouts are often characterized by their creamy texture and notes of coffee and chocolate. There are several sub-styles of stout, including milk stout, oatmeal stout, and imperial stout.
Porter
Porter is another dark beer style that originated in England in the 18th century. Porters are typically less roasty than stouts and have a more caramel-like flavor. They are often described as having a "smoky" or "toasty" taste.
Wheat Beer
Wheat beers are typically light in color and have a cloudy appearance due to the use of wheat in the brewing process. These beers are often refreshing and fruity, with notes of banana and clove.
Sour Beer
Sour beers have a distinct tartness that is created by the use of wild yeasts or bacteria in the brewing process. These beers can range from mildly tart to extremely sour, with flavors ranging from fruity to funky.
Overall, there are a wide variety of beer styles available to suit every palate. Whether you prefer a crisp, refreshing lager or a complex stout, there's a beer out there for you.
