Beer Types

There are so many different beer types available, it can sometimes be overwhelming. By no means is this a comprehensive list, as there are many regional types that just don't quite fit in to any of the following categories.

There are two main styles of beer: Ale and Lager. Before we started this blog, we thought there were many more types, so imagine our surprise when we discovered that all beers fit into one of these categories. There are also hybrid styles out there, but we'll talk about those separately because they are unique all on their own.

Within both the ale and lager definitions are a multitude of different beers that vary significantly in taste, colour, and clarity. Trouble is, different places catalogue their beers differently. The BeerAdvocate catalogues their beers according to region (Ale>American Ales>Cream Ale, Pumpkin Ale, etc). The LCBO catalogues their beers by type first (Ale>Pale Ale, Bitter, etc). It's difficult to determine which method is better (by region vs. by type) because both have their merits. For example, it would be completely logical to taste a flight of American ales that include a red, an IPA and a stout, just as it would to be taste a flight of IPAs from Canada, USA, and England.

What is an Ale?
According to BeerAdvocate, "This category of beer uses yeast that ferments at the "top" of the fermentation vessel, and typically at higher temperatures than lager yeast (60°-75°F), which, as a result, makes for a quicker fermentation period (7-8 days, or even less). Ale yeast are known to produce by-products called esters, which are "flowery" and "fruity" aromas ranging, but not limited to apple, pear, pineapple, grass, hay, plum, and prune." 

Huh?

Basically, an ale is an ale because of the type of yeast that is used. This yeast sits on top of the mixture in the fermentation tank/barrel and the mixture is kept at a fairly warm temperature. These are fast fermenting beers. Different countries and regions have different ales, and then within those categories there are further distinctions. English, Belgian/French, American, and German Ales are the most common countries that produce different ale styles.

Brown Ale American English	Brown ales are a beer with a dark amber or brown colour.
Cream Ale	Cream ales are often light in color and related to pale lagers. During Prohibition in the United States, Canadian brewers took up brewing cream ale and refined its flavours. After US Prohibition cream ale from Canada became popular.
Old Ale Dark Ale (American Black, Belgian Dark, Belgian Strong) Winter Warmer	Old ales are dark, malty beers in England, generally above 5% abv, also to dark ales of any strength in Australia.
Kölsch	Kölsch is a clear with a bright, straw-yellow hue similar to a standard German pale lager, but made in the ale style.
Pale Ale Altbier/Amber/Red Ale American Belgian Bitter (English, Extra Special/Strong) Blond Ale English India Pale Ale - IPA (Imperial, American, Belgian, English) Saison / Farmhouse Ale Strong	Pale ale is a beer made using mostly pale malt, which results in a lighter colour. Different brewing practices and hop levels have resulted in a range of taste and strength within the pale ale family
Pumpkin Ale	Pumpkin ale may be produced using pumpkin flesh in combination with malt or other typical beer.
Stout American Dry English Imperial Milk Oatmeal Porter (American, English) Russian Imperial	Stout is a dark beer made using roasted malt or roasted barley along with hops, water and yeast. Stouts were traditionally the generic term for the strongest porters produced by a brewery, often 7%abv or higher.
Wheat Witbier Berliner Weissbier/Gose Weizenbock/Dunkelweizen/Hefeweizen	Wheat beer is brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley.

So, what is a Lager?
BeerAdvocate tells us, "The word lager comes from the German word lagern which means, "to store". A perfect description as lagers are brewed with bottom fermenting yeast that work slowly at around 34°F, and are often further stored at cool temperature to mature. Lager yeast produce fewer by-product characters than ale yeast which allows for other flavors to pull through, such as hops.

Double Huh?

Lagers are produced using yeast strains that ferment slowly and sit at the bottom of the fermentation tank/barrel. They are fermented at a very low temperature and generally take longer to ferment. Similar to ales, Lagers also vary depending on their country/region or origin, and again, within those categories are different beers. Most commonly there are German, Czech, American, European lagers. 

Pale Lager American Light Lager Pilsner (American Double/Imperial, Czech, German) Dortmunder Export Munich Helles	Pale lager is a very pale-to-golden-coloured beer. The flavours are generally subtle, although hop characteristics can be more pronounced.  The main ingredients are water, Pilsner malt and noble hops, though some brewers use rice or corn to lighten the body of the beer.
Amber Lager Märzen/Oktoberfest Vienna Lager Rauchbier American Red/Amber	Amber lagers are a medium-bodied lager with a toasty character. Hop bitterness can range from very low to medium-high.
Bock Traditional Bock Helles Bock Maibock Doppelbock Eisbock	Originally a dark beer, a modern bock can range from light copper to brown in colour.
Dark Lager Schwarzbier Munich Dunkel Lager	A slightly heavier bodied, colored version of a pale lager. The beer's darkness is sometimes the result of roasted malts.
Specialty Lager Herb and spiced beers Fruit beers Smoked beers Holiday beers	Specialty beers are typically regular beers brewed in classic style but with flavours added. Some are made from unusual fermented foods. The addition of fruits, herbs and spices, miscellaneous flavourings (such as liquorice, smoke, and hot pepper), and sweeteners (such as honey, maple syrup, and molasses) turn an ordinary beer into a specialty beer.
Malt Liquor	Malt Liquors are usually found in 40oz bottles and generally have one purpose - getting drunk for cheap. This style uses large amounts of rice or corn, and has very little in the way of hops.

There is only one solution… try them all!

Cheers!