A bewildering amount of drink alternatives are available at any one pub thanks to the boundless world of beer. Each style of beer has more sub-categories than drinkers know what to do with, from classic lagers to robust IPAs to funky sour ales. Draught beer menus at local bars have evolved from a few typical brands to include beverages that seem to appear out of nowhere and each one tastes more complicated than the last. Knowing how different types of beer taste and look can help you make your choices a lot simpler.
Pale ales
One of the most popular beer types in the world is the pale ale. It has a golden to copper colour and contains hops. Pale beers, which are made using pale malt and ale yeast, are typically hoppy and have light malt tastes that leave a bitter aftertaste. They usually have a low alcohol content and are simple to consume.
Pilsners
This light gold drink, which originated in Pilsen, Czech Republic, is often brewed with malts, hops, and neutral or hard water. Pilsners are distinguished from other lagers by their dry, slightly bitter flavour. Because it's easy to drink and has a low alcohol content, this beverage is highly popular throughout the summer.
Porters
Porters date back to the 18th century in London and are noted for their toasty aroma. They're prepared using roasted brown malts or barley, giving them intense chocolate, toffee, coffee, and caramel aromas. Porters have a crisper flavour than stouts, despite their similar hue.
Brown ales
Brown ales are mellow but tasty and range from amber to brown in colour. Brown ales typically have chocolate, caramel, citrus, or nut aromas. However, the flavour of the beer will vary depending on where it was brewed. Brown ales in England are often dry and nutty, whilst those in America are typically hoppier.
India pale ales (IPAs)
The colour of India pale ales is usually golden or amber. Because of the number of hops used in the brewing process, this beer is bitter. Many brewers, on the other hand, add citrus or herbal notes to IPAs to help balance the bitterness and add taste. This drink has a high alcohol level, and many people may find it too strong. Ask your friends whether they like a hoppy yet heavy drink before offering them an IPA.
Stouts
Stouts are distinguished by their dark hue and thick, creamy head. They have a strong roasted flavour due to the addition of unmalted roasted barley to the wort. Stouts frequently have overtones of coffee, chocolate, liquorice, or molasses, which distinguishes this beer and makes it ideal for pairing with desserts.
Sour ales
To assist in delivering high amounts of acidity, sour ales are brewed using wild yeast and bacteria. In contrast to the bitter qualities found in other ales, the acidity gives the beer a tart and sour flavour. To give wild ales a sweet, fruity taste, many brewers add fruits and spices.
Wheat beers
This beer has a silky smoothness and a hazy body thanks to the wheat malt. The presence of hops in this beer is minimal, and the flavour is dependent on the variety of wheat used. Wheat beers are refreshing on a hot day because of their citric, acidic properties.
You may confidently make drink recommendations based on people's preferences now that you know what each beer tastes like and how each one differs. You may also create beer and food pairings that enhance and complement the flavours of your meal and beer.