Ah, beer — the glorious, golden, intoxicating drink! The history of beer is nearly as old as the history of civilization itself. There’s nothing quite like it and we all love it in its many-faceted diversity. But why is it so popular? One answer is that there are so many different types of beer to choose from. With over 100 distinct types, pairing beer with charcuterie boards for happy hour is a great way to explore the different tastes especially if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary.
From the first sip to the last gulp, beer is regarded by many as a delicious escape from everyday life. If it’s your go-to beverage over cocktails for social gatherings, then here are ten types of beer you should probably know about.
1. American Pale Ale
This style of beer has its roots in Britain, but it’s now a staple in American breweries. The beer typically has an alcohol content of around 5% and is made with pale malt and cascade hops. It has a medium body and low to moderate maltiness. Compared to its English counterpart which comes off as earthy and nutty, APA has a softer flavor and aroma that’s often described as citrusy or floral which makes it one of the most food-friendly ales.
2. American Brown Ale
A popular style of beer that originated in the United States, American brown ale is known for its nutty and toffee flavors with an alcohol content between 4-6%. It is a beer that has a medium-body and malt flavor. Brown ales are dark beers usually characterized by caramel notes and a smooth finish that makes them easy to drink for those new to beer drinking.
3. Blonde Ale
The blonde ale is a light-colored, low-alcohol beer (4-5%). It is a popular style known for its classic simplicity that is perfect as a beer starter. The name originates from its golden color, which is similar to that of straw. The malt flavor is usually sweet and caramel-like, while hop bitterness is generally low. The aroma will be mostly malty with some fruitiness and perhaps some citrus notes and grainy sweetness as well.
4. IPA
India Pale Ale is a type of beer that originated in England. It is an ale that has a higher alcohol content (5-10%) and hops than other ales. As the story goes, extra doses of hops were added to successfully ship this beer style on long voyages to troops stationed in India. Due to this, IPA is known for its very strong and hoppy flavor which can be quite bitter. When it comes to aroma, it is equally as intense with notes ranging from citrus to spices and tropical fruits among others.
5. Porter
Porter has its roots in London, where it was brewed for many years before spreading across England. A classic London Porter would have been made from 100% brown malt, but modern versions often use a blend of pale malt and dark malts. Depending on the type, ABV ranges from 4-12%. Porters are dark brown or black in color with medium body and bitterness levels between those of pale ales and stouts. They also have more complex flavors combining rich, unsweetened chocolate or even a coffee and caramel sensation.
6. Stout
Stouts are beers that are as dark as they can get. With an alcohol content of 3-12% depending on the variety, they can be sweet and light or hoppy and heavy. It gets its name from its rich color, which comes from roasted malts that give it a deep, dark hue. Stouts are a bold, coffee-like beer with a creamy mouthfeel. Known for their rich flavor profiles, you’ll find hints of espresso, dark chocolate, and even burnt bread.
7. Pilsner
Pilsner is another style that originated in Plzen, Bohemia (now the modern Czech Republic), and remains extremely popular today. They have a light body with a hoppy aroma and a crisp, bitter finish from the use of Czech Saaz hops. Pilsners are light in color and have a very refreshing floral and spicy flavor profile that makes them perfect for summertime drinking. They also tend to have lower alcohol content (4-5%) than other types of beer, making them more suitable for an everyday drinker.
8. American Lager
American lagers make up just one part of the general lager umbrella. They’re light in color, with a lower alcohol content (3-4%) than ales, and they have a clean flavor profile. Most breweries use adjuncts like rice or corn to lighten the body of this type of lager. They are also brewed at colder temperatures than ale which considerably mellows the flavors, resulting in a cleaner taste and a longer shelf life which are perfect refreshers for hot days.
9. Wheat Beer
It is a lighter type of beer (2-5% ABV content) that has been brewed with wheat malt rather than barley as the primary ingredient. The most common colors are pale yellow to deep gold, but also include reds, browns, pinks, and even black colors from roasted malts. While generally known for its milky and cloudy appearance, you’ll find a variety of flavor profiles from zesty to spicy and even fruity.
10. Craft Beer
Finally, an increasingly popular trend among breweries is craft beer because it offers consumers a unique experience that is hard to get from mass-produced beers. Specialty beers can even make use of unconventional non-beer ingredients such as 100% natural fruit purees. By using all-natural ingredients, it is easier to craft brews that are full of flavor and personality.
Beer is one of the most popular and widely consumed beverages of all time. No matter what your tastes are, there’s a beer out there for you. In the end, perhaps it is the fact that beer has an unprecedented range of flavors and styles, that makes so many of us love it. If this trend keeps going, we’ll be spoiled for choice in no time!
