The Different Types of Beer Articles | Beer

By: J. Morgan

Beer is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and there are many different types available to suit the tastes of all kinds of beer drinkers. As beer has been around for so long, there have been many opportunities for it to be changed and even improved in some areas.

There are two main types of beer: lager and ale. You will find thousands of varieties of beer under these two categories that range in body, color, and flavor. The main difference between ale and lager is the type of yeast used during the brewing process. The temperature used during brewing will also be different.

The yeast used in making ale ferments the best when the heating temperatures are quite warm and the lager uses yeast that will ferment best when heated on cooler temperatures. This difference gives these beers a completely different taste.

Lager Beers

Both categories of beer include different types of that beer from which you can choose. There are four “subcategories” of beer that fall under the lager category. Each one has a distinctive taste and can be distinguished partly by its color.

The four types of lager beer are listed below:

1. American-Style Pale Lager

2. Pilsner Lager

3. Light Lager

4. Dark Lager

The American-style pale lager will have more carbonation than other lagers. The body and color of this type of beer is considered light. Pilsner lager beer is a pale color that normally has more taste and less bitterness than do the American-style pale lager beers.

Light lager beers are made with fewer hops and barleys than other beers. It is for this reason they are also lighter in calories, although they usually have a lower alcohol concentration as well. The dark lager beers are made with roasted barley and hops. This is why they will be dark in color and have a rich, full-bodied taste that so many beer drinkers love.

Ale Beers

There are three types of beer that fall under the ale category. Each one has its own taste and color, making it quite possible to distinguish one from the other.

The three types of ale beer are listed below:

1. Brown Ale

2. Porter Ale

3. Stout Ale

One of the first things that you will notice about brown ale is its red or copper color. (Most people expect it to be brown because of its name.) It will have the mildest flavor of any ale beer.

If you are searching for a more full-bodied darker ale, then the porter ale may be the one for you. This type of ale provides a mild hop flavor similar to chocolate. The darkest ale available is the Stout ale. These are so dark they look black, and they are thick with a strong barley and hop flavor.

Beer companies have taken these two main types of beer—lager and ale—and created thousands of combinations to provide beer drinkers everywhere a wide variety of options. Spices, fruits and vegetables, pumpkin spice, and cherry are just a few examples of what is added to the beer when it is being brewed to create different tastes.