Different Types of Beer Winning Beers

Craft beer is more popular than ever, as seen by the over 9,000 craft breweries in the US. Learning the different kinds of beer and their distinctive flavors is crucial if you’re considering opening a bar or starting your brewery. For you to discuss craft beer like a pro, offer advice, and create your styles, we break down the most popular beer varieties.

There are many types of beer, each with its distinctive flavors, colors, and scents. International Bitterness Unit (IBU) and alcohol by volume (ABV) are two characteristics used to describe beer styles.

What is ABV?

ABV, or Alcohol by Volume, measures how much alcohol is in a given volume of beer. The alcohol content of a brew can impact how it tastes. Higher alcohol by volume (ABV) beers taste more bitter. In strong beers, the alcohol can numb the tongue and negate the taste; thus, different flavors are added to compensate. To create the ideal harmony of sweetness and bitterness, brewers utilize ABV.

What is IBU?

IBU, or international bitterness unit, is a unit of measurement of the volume of bitter flavoring compounds present in a beer. Although the IBU scale has no upper limit, which starts at zero, most beers fall between 5 and 120 IBUs. The average palate can’t distinguish anything above 120.

Beer Brewing Styles

As the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage, beer comes in many varieties. The beer you brew will be determined by the ingredients, brewing process, and fermentation method.

Four Main Types of Beer

The most common types of beer are lagers, ales, stouts, and porters. Let’s explore the difference between these various types of beer – there are many other types such as sour beers and pale ales, bhowever this article will focus on the main 4 mentioned above.

Lagers are the most popular type of beer in the world. They are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast at colder temperatures and then stored or “layered” for weeks or months.

Example of Lager

American Lager
Pilsner
Bock
Munich Helles
Dortmunder Export

Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures and have a shorter lagering period. Ales tend to be full-bodied with a complex flavor.

Examples of Ales

Guinness
Bass
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
India Pale Ales
America Pale Ales
Blonde Ale
Brown Ales

Stouts are a type of ale brewed with roasted malt or barley, giving it a coffee-like color and flavor. Stouts were traditionally heavier and higher in alcohol content than other beers, but today there are many light stouts available.

Examples of Stouts

Ireland’s
Murphy’s Stout
Oatmeal Stout

Malts are a type of beer made with partially germinated barley grains. The barley is then dried in a kiln, which gives malt its signature sweet flavor. Malts are used to create both ales and lagers.

Examples of Malt

Boddingtons
Pub Ale
Newcastle Brown Ale.

Conclusion

Many different types of wheat beers are available for brewing, each with its unique flavor profile determined by the brewing process and ingredients used. The four main types of beer are lagers, ales, stouts, and malts. Understanding these styles’ differences allows you to brew the perfect wheat beer for your taste buds!