Types of Beers

It can be a bit awkward when you think you know about beer, and then you realise, probably in front of your know-it-all beer expert friend, that you don't. So, next time you want to chat about blonde ales or stouts, just take a quick look at the info below first. Trust me, it's the handiest cheat sheet you'll ever need.

There are two main categories of beer: Ales & Lagers. The difference between the two categories depends on how the beer is made and the yeast used during the fermentation process.  Generally, ales are fuller in colour and flavour, whereas lagers are lighter, crisper, and cleaner. 

LAGERS

Lagers have a crisper taste due to their fermentation process. They are fermented for longer at lower temperatures, mellowing the beer and creating a smooth taste.

Pilsner - Straw-coloured, highly carbonated and low in alcohol. ABV 4.5 - 5.5%, light malt, more hops.

Oktoberfest - Full body dark brown, drunk in October. ABV 4 - 7%, more malty, little hops flavour.

Bock - Sweet and dark with widely ranging flavours. ABV 5.5 - 7.5%, , more malty, little hops flavour.

Dunkel - Dark amber with smooth flavours like coffee ABV 4 - 6%, , more malty, medium hops flavour.

ALES

Ales are sweet full body and vary in colour depending upon the grains used during brewing. Many ales contain hops, which add a bitter flavour to counter the sweetness.

Wheat - Pale, highly carbonated and commonly fruity. ABV 4 - 7%

Pale Ale - Malty and hoppy with fruity aromas. ABV 4 - 7%

Indian Pale Ale (IPA) - Extremely bitter and amber in colour. ABV 5.5 - 7.5%

Amber Ale - Sweet from excess malt and amber colour. ABV 4 - 7%

Irish Ale - Deep red in colour, with malty sweet flavours. ABV 4 - 6%

Porter - Dark and heavy with a roasted mocha flavour. ABV 4 - 7.5%

Stout - Roasted not malted, sweet with caramel aromas. ABV 4 - 7%

What is "malty"?

Malt has a sweet, nutty taste and is used in beer-making to create sweet flavours. It is made from barley, which is high in enzymes that convert starch into fermentable sugars. During beer-making, yeast consumes these sugars, turning them into alcohol and influencing the sweetness of the beer.

What is "hoppy"?

Hoppy beers are often described as “piney” (yes, like the trees), citrus tones or herbal, like fresh-cut grass or the edible plants that might grow in your garden. The hops flower is what brings bitterness that balances the sweetness. Beers with strong hoppy flavours come from hops that have been left in the barrel longer, like IPA.

If you like us to talk more about the different types of hops in detail, leave us a message.