Know Your Beers: A Guide to Different Styles

The number of different beers on the market today can be overwhelming. Even if you know what you like, it can be hard to determine what makes an ale an ale, and a lager a lager. Knowing more about different kinds of beer can help you find the taste that’s just for you. No matter what beers you like, remember to always drink responsibly.

Ales are arguably the most popular beers right now. What makes them ales are the way y they’re brewed. Fermented from the top down, and left in cold-ish temperatures, such as in a cellar, this family includes IPAs (India Pale Ales), nut browns and abbey styles, among others. Ales are probably the most full-bodied beers you’ll find and tend to be darker in color.

Ales tend to have more hops than other types of beer. That’s what gives them that pleasantly bitter taste. The most notable example of these is the IPA. They are the “hoppiest” of beers out there. Here is a fun fact: hops are a natural preservative. When Britain wanted to ship beer to India, they added more hops to the beer to withstand the trip. Thus, the IPA was born.

While ales are fermented from the top, lagers gain their properties from the bottom up. They are left to ferment for many months in near-freezing temperatures. Lagers are probably the most abundant kind of beer you’ll find and have a wide range of styles. Pilsners are a popular style and the basis for most domestic beers like Yuengling, Coors, Miller and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Lagers tend to be crisp and not as bitter as ales, though there are plenty of exceptions. They can range in color from amber to almost black. They tend to be more carbonated than other beers, too, which is why many people feel fuller from drinking them.

Both ales and porters are extremely dark beers that tend to be most popular in the winter. While there aren’t many differences between the two, there are a few distinguishing factors. Porters are technically a type of ale—they’re fermented the same way. Porters tend to be sweeter, with a dry, fruity flavor.

Stouts, on the other hand, are not as sweet, and are known for their creaminess and big heads. Guinness is probably the most famous stout, and if you’ve had it, you know the way it’s poured is very important. That’s because of the lower carbonation.

These are just three of the main types of beer available, but there are many more. At the End Zone Bar & Grill, we offer over 100 different kinds of beer, with 20 on tap, to give you plenty of options. Stop by or check out our current draft list.