Beer Styles

From Beeropedia

Beers come in a wide variety of styles, but most can be grouped into a few major families. Each style has its own flavours, body, and drinking experience. Some are bitter, some are sweet, some are dark, and some are light.

Here is a plain-English overview of the most common beer families, with examples of sub-styles. Clicking on a style will take you to its dedicated page with more details and links to specific beers of that style.

Beer sub styles can take on a life of their own, spawning their own extensive tree of sub types. For example, IPA started as a sub-type of Ales, but now there are endless sub-types and sub-sub-types.

Some styles are specific to a region. And other regions can brewy in the style of a different regions. For example, American IPA's have specific traits over a standard IPA. And some breweries outside America brew American-style IPA.


Ale

Ales are one of the oldest and broadest beer families. They’re typically fermented at warmer temperatures, which can give them more a pronounced flavours and aromas. Ale's are often served and consumed a few degrees warmer than lagers - still cold, but not ice cold.

Typical ABV: ~4-6%


  • Ale

    • IPA

    IPAs (India Pale Ales) are hop-forward beers known for bitterness, aroma, and bold flavour. Modern IPAs range from crisp and bitter to juicy and hazy.

    What it tastes like: Bitter to juicy, with hop flavours like citrus, pine, or tropical fruit.

    Typical ABV: ~5-7.5%


  • IPA

    • Cider

    Cider is made from fermented apples rather than grains. While not technically beer, it’s commonly grouped alongside beer styles due to how it’s produced and consumed.

    What it tastes like: Dry to sweet, with fresh apple character.

    Typical ABV: ~4-6%


  • Cider

    • Lager

    Lagers are fermented at cooler temperatures and are generally clean, crisp, and refreshing. They make up a large percentage of beer consumed worldwide. They are best served and consumed ice cold - not literally on ice or freezing, but the colder the better.

    What it tastes like: Clean, crisp, subtle malt and hop flavours.

    Typical ABV: ~4-5%


  • Lager

    • Pilsner

    Pilsners are a specific type of lager, known for their light colour, crisp finish, and noticeable hop bitterness.

    What it tastes like: Crisp, dry, with a firm but clean bitterness.

    Typical ABV: ~4.5-5.5%


  • Pilsner

    • Porter

    Porters are dark beers with roasted malt flavours, often showing notes of chocolate, coffee, or caramel.

    What it tastes like: Roasty, chocolatey, sometimes slightly sweet.

    Typical ABV: ~4.5-6.5%


  • Porter

    • Stout

    Stouts evolved from porters and are typically darker and richer, with strong roasted flavours.

    What it tastes like: Coffee, dark chocolate, roasted grain.

    Typical ABV: ~4-7% (higher for imperial stouts)


  • Stout

    • Sour Beer

    Sour beers are intentionally acidic, ranging from lightly tart to intensely sour. They can be refreshing and complex.

    What it tastes like: Tart, acidic, sometimes fruity or funky.

    Typical ABV: ~3-6%


  • Sour Beer

    • Wheat Beer

    Wheat beers use a significant portion of wheat in the grain bill, giving them a lighter body and distinctive texture.

    What it tastes like: Soft, bready, sometimes banana or clove-like.

    Typical ABV: ~4-5.5%


  • Wheat Beer
    • Retrieved from "http://beerftw.com/index.php?title=Beer_Styles&oldid=12574"