Light-bodied Lagers to Heavy-hitting IPAs: A Comprehensive Guide to Popular Beer Styles
Are you tired of ordering the same boring beer every time you go out? Do you want to expand your beer knowledge and try new styles? This guide will take you through some of the most popular beer styles, from light-bodied lagers to heavy-hitting IPAs.
Light-bodied Lagers
Lagers are one of the most popular beer styles in the world. They are known for their light, crisp taste and low alcohol content. Some examples of light-bodied lagers include:
- Pilsner: A pale lager with a slightly bitter taste and a crisp finish. It originated in the Czech Republic and is now popular worldwide.
- American Light Lager: A low-calorie beer with a mild taste. Examples include Bud Light and Miller Lite.
- Mexican Lager: A slightly sweet lager with a light body. Examples include Corona and Dos Equis.
Amber Ales
Amber ales are a medium-bodied beer that are known for their malty flavor and copper color. Some popular amber ales include:
- American Amber Ale: A hoppy ale with a caramel flavor. Examples include Sierra Nevada and Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale.
- English Bitter: A British-style ale with a balanced flavor and a low alcohol content. Examples include Fuller’s London Pride and Theakston’s Old Peculier.
Brown Ales
Brown ales are known for their nutty, caramel flavors and medium to full body. Some examples of brown ales include:
- American Brown Ale: A malty beer with a low hop profile. Examples include the Brooklyn Brewery Brown Ale and Goose Island’s Nut Brown Ale.
- English Brown Ale: A mild ale with a nutty flavor. Examples include Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale and Newcastle Brown Ale.
India Pale Ales (IPAs)
IPAs are known for their hoppy, bitter taste and alcohol content. Some popular IPAs include:
- American IPA: A hoppy beer with a high alcohol content. Examples include Stone IPA and Lagunitas IPA.
- English IPA: A more balanced beer with a lower alcohol content. Examples include Fuller’s IPA and Greene King IPA.
- Double or Imperial IPA: A strong, hoppy beer with a high alcohol content. Examples include Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA and Avery’s Maharaja.
Stout and Porter
Stouts and porters are dark, rich beers with complex flavors. They are often served as a dessert beer. Some examples of stouts and porters include:
- Irish Dry Stout: A dark, roasted beer with a dry finish. Examples include Guinness and Murphy’s Irish Stout.
- American Stout: A more hoppy version of a stout. Examples include Rogue’s Shakespeare Stout and Stone’s Imperial Stout.
- English Porter: A smooth, malty beer with a low alcohol content. Examples include Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter and Fuller’s London Porter.
Now that you have a basic understanding of some of the most popular beer styles, you can confidently order something new the next time you’re at a bar or restaurant. Cheers!