Exploring Different Beer Styles: A Guide to Craft Brews

Stepping into craft beer can feel overwhelming. With countless beer styles, where do you begin? This guide clarifies different beer styles, helping you explore craft beer confidently. We'll cover popular styles, their flavors, and food pairings. Whether you're a novice or a connoisseur, there's a beer style for you. 

Understanding Beer Styles

The Brewers Association defines over 75 beer styles, grouped into 15 families.

Production Methods

Brewing beer is like cooking but with more science. Brewers make their beer in many different ways, and these methods affect the final taste. This is why there are so many craft beer styles.

All beer starts with four main ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. Water makes up most of the beer, but the type of water matters, too. Some brewers use hard water, and some use soft water, which affects the taste. Malt is usually barley. Brewers soak the barley to let it sprout, creating sugars. Hops add bitterness and aroma and help balance the sweetness. Yeast eats the sugar, making alcohol and carbon dioxide.

There are two main beer families: ales and lagers. Ales use top-fermenting yeast. They ferment at warmer temperatures. Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast. They ferment at cooler temperatures.

From there, things get interesting. Brewers use different kinds of malt, different amounts of hops, and different lengths of time to ferment the beer, which changes the beer's color, flavor, and alcohol content.

For example, think about IPAs. They use lots of hops, which gives them a strong, bitter taste. Stouts use roasted barley, which gives them a dark color and a coffee-like flavor. Sours use special yeasts and bacteria, which gives them a tart, acidic taste.

At DNYC, we carry a variety of beer styles, from light lagers to hoppy IPAs. Because we source directly from breweries, you can be sure your beer is fresh. We work closely with brewers in New York. This lets us offer a huge selection of craft beers. Try a new style! You might just find your new favorite beer.

Key Factors Defining Beer Styles

Several factors differentiate beer styles. Ingredients matter, including grains, hops, yeast, and other additions. Brewing processes, like fermentation temperatures and barrel aging, contribute distinct flavors. Regional influences, with local tastes and traditions, also shape beer styles.

First, we have ales. Ales are usually fruity and often a bit sweet. They are brewed with special yeast. This yeast likes warmer temperatures. Think of beers like pale ales, IPAs, and stouts. These are all ales. IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are known for being hoppy. Hops give the beer a bitter taste. Some IPAs are super bitter, and others have a mix of fruity and bitter flavors. This depends on the type of hops the brewers use.

Next, there are lagers. Lagers use a different kind of yeast, and this yeast likes it cold. Lagers are usually crisp and clean. They're easy to drink, especially on a hot day. Pilsners and Oktoberfest beers are examples of lagers.

Stouts are dark, almost black beers. They taste like roasted coffee or dark chocolate. Stouts are often thick and creamy. Some stouts even have flavors of coffee or oatmeal added.

Then we have wheat beers. These beers are often light and refreshing. They use wheat in addition to barley. Wheat beers can be cloudy. They sometimes have hints of banana or clove. These flavors come from the yeast.

Sour beers are becoming popular. Their tart, acidic taste comes from particular bacteria used in the brewing process. Some sour beers taste like lemon, while others are more like vinegar.

Trying different styles is the best way to learn. You might be surprised at what you like.

Popular Different Beer Styles

Lagers

Lagers are crisp and refreshing. The global Lager market reached an impressive $328.4 Billion in 2021. Experts predict a rise to $391.1 Billion by 2027, based on Imarc Group research. These beers ferment at cool temperatures for a clean taste.

Pilsners are a classic example of a crisp lager. They originated in Pilsen, Czech Republic, in the mid-1800s as a lighter alternative to heavier ales.

Lagers and pilsners are well-suited to salads, seafood, and spicy food. Their refreshing character complements lighter dishes.

Lagers are crisp and clean. They ferment at cooler temperatures than ales. This results in a smoother, less fruity flavor. Some popular lager styles include:

• Pilsner: Pilsners are light, crisp, and slightly bitter. They're perfect for a hot day.
• Light Lager: As the name suggests, light lagers are low in calories and alcohol. They're very easy drinking.
• Mexican Lager: These lagers are similar to light lagers, but sometimes they have a touch of sweetness or lime.
• Märzen: Märzen lagers are a bit maltier and sweeter than other lagers. They often have a toasty flavor.

Ales

Ales, fermented at warmer temperatures, offer diverse characteristics. They span from crisp pale ales to bitter IPAs. An American pale ale, like the Sierra Nevada, with citrus and pine notes, pairs well with burgers and pizza. English pale ales like Fuller's London Pride complement fish and chips with their balanced malt profile.

India Pale Ales (IPAs), like Maine Beer Company's Lunch, are famous for their fruity, less bitter flavor. They cater to hop lovers with various levels of bitterness and aromatic profiles.

Notch Brewery offers session beers around 5% ABV or lower, which is great for enjoying various styles without the high alcohol content.

Ales are known for their fruity and often complex flavors. They ferment at warmer temperatures. This creates a broader range of tastes. Think citrus, banana, or even hints of spice. Here are some popular ale styles:

• India Pale Ale (IPA): IPAs are famous for their hoppy bitterness and intense aromas. They're a solid choice if you like a bold beer.
• Pale Ale: A bit more balanced than an IPA, pale ales still have a nice hoppy flavor. But they're smoother and less intense.
• Stout: Stouts are dark, roasty beers. They often have notes of coffee or chocolate. Some even have creamy textures from added ingredients like oats or lactose.
• Porter: Similar to stouts, porters are dark and roasty. But they often have more caramel or toffee sweetness.
• Wheat Beer: Wheat beers are light, refreshing, and often a bit cloudy. They sometimes have hints of citrus or spice.

Stouts and Porters

These dark beers boast robust, roasted flavors, often enjoyed year-round. They offer a rich and complex drinking experience.

Dry Irish stouts, like Guinness, pair well with hearty stews. American stouts, such as Stone Imperial Russian Stout, complement rich barbecue. Their robust profiles showcase chocolate and coffee notes.

Sours and Wilds

Sours, fermented with wild yeasts or bacteria, offer tangy and funky flavors and provide a unique and adventurous taste experience.

These beers develop their tang from fermentation with lactic, acetic, and other organic acids. This creates complex flavor profiles, from spicy rye to sweet honey beers.

From Berliner Weisses to Lambics, this category is an exciting journey for adventurous palates. They showcase the diverse world of fermentation and its impact on beer flavor.

Navigating the Beer World

Exploring different beer styles broadens your palate. Start simply by trying a few beers from each major style. Notice your preferences for different flavors and aromas.

With over 79 recognized beer styles, everyone can find a favorite.

Don't be afraid to experiment. With vast variations, from fruity session beers to coffee-infused stouts, discover your preferences. Can't make the drive to different breweries? Get New York State craft beer delivered directly to your door.

Conclusion

Craft beer offers vast diversity. Exploring different styles, from ales to lagers, unveils personal favorites. Embrace the adventure and discover new flavors in craft beer today. Try new styles to expand your palate and find your perfect beer. You might uncover new favorites within the vast craft beer world.