Different Types Of Beer
All beer is basically brewed in the same way by using water, malted grains, hops and yeast. However, there are countless different varieties of beer, usually categorised into two main types ales and lagers. There's also a third, slightly smaller category of speciality beers. Here's a quick run through of the main types of beer and what makes them so different.
ALES
Ales are fermented at a much higher temperature than lager, usually between 65 and 75F, and they also use a different type of yeast. These beers use top fermenting yeast, whereby the yeast floats to the top of the beer for the first few days of the beer brewing process before settling at the bottom. Ales are normally much higher in alcohol and will have a more complex flavour.
Ales can further be subdivided into a whole range of types of beer, including pale ales, wheat beer, brown ale and barley wine. Many of these also have several different types of beer under their name, such as stout, porter, IPA, English bitter and blond.
LAGERS
Lagers need cooler temperatures for the yeast in the beer to ferment effectively, usually between 46 and 55F. The yeast used is also different in this type of beer, being a bottom fermenting yeast that doesn't float to the surface of the beer but simply sinks to the bottom of the brew. Lagers are usually lighter in colour, drier and much less alcoholic than ales.
Lager can also be subdivided into several different types of beer, although there are much less than ales. Subdivisions include bock, pale lager and Vienna lager, with further categories including pilsner and dry lager.
SPECIALITY BEERS
Speciality beers can be lagers, ales or a mixture of the two, but with added or different ingredients to make them a distinct type of beer. These beers can be flavoured with fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices, for example, to create unique flavours and a whole new style of beer. Different grains can also be used in these beers, or the malts can be smoked to bring a new flavour to the beer.
As you can see, there are a whole range of different types of beer on offer, all broadly under the categories ale and lager. With so many different beers available there's sure to be one to suit all tastes, and with the recent rise in popularity of speciality beers there are more beers to choose from than ever before.
ALES
Ales are fermented at a much higher temperature than lager, usually between 65 and 75F, and they also use a different type of yeast. These beers use top fermenting yeast, whereby the yeast floats to the top of the beer for the first few days of the beer brewing process before settling at the bottom. Ales are normally much higher in alcohol and will have a more complex flavour.
Ales can further be subdivided into a whole range of types of beer, including pale ales, wheat beer, brown ale and barley wine. Many of these also have several different types of beer under their name, such as stout, porter, IPA, English bitter and blond.
LAGERS
Lagers need cooler temperatures for the yeast in the beer to ferment effectively, usually between 46 and 55F. The yeast used is also different in this type of beer, being a bottom fermenting yeast that doesn't float to the surface of the beer but simply sinks to the bottom of the brew. Lagers are usually lighter in colour, drier and much less alcoholic than ales.
Lager can also be subdivided into several different types of beer, although there are much less than ales. Subdivisions include bock, pale lager and Vienna lager, with further categories including pilsner and dry lager.
SPECIALITY BEERS
Speciality beers can be lagers, ales or a mixture of the two, but with added or different ingredients to make them a distinct type of beer. These beers can be flavoured with fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices, for example, to create unique flavours and a whole new style of beer. Different grains can also be used in these beers, or the malts can be smoked to bring a new flavour to the beer.
As you can see, there are a whole range of different types of beer on offer, all broadly under the categories ale and lager. With so many different beers available there's sure to be one to suit all tastes, and with the recent rise in popularity of speciality beers there are more beers to choose from than ever before.
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