Beers Around The World: A Guide To Varieties

Beer is one of the oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drinks in the world, with a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations. Today, there are countless varieties of beer available, each with its unique characteristics. Broadly speaking, beers can be classified into two main types: ales and lagers. The differentiating factor lies in the strain of yeast and the fermentation process used. Ales are typically brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, resulting in a faster fermentation process and more complex flavours. Lagers, on the other hand, are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures, giving them a smoother and more refreshing character.

Ales: Fermented with top-fermenting yeast at warm temperatures, ales are aromatic and often fruity

Ales are a type of beer that uses a top-fermenting yeast and is brewed at warmer temperatures than lagers, typically between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 24 degrees Celsius). This warm fermentation method results in a faster fermentation process, which gives ales a more complex flavour profile. The flavours can range from fruity and spicy to bitter and hoppy, with some ales having a slightly "fruity" character resembling apples, pears, pineapples, bananas, plums, cherries, or prunes.

The type of yeast used to make ales, along with the warmer fermentation temperature, generally produces a fruitier, spicer flavour. Ales typically have a more rapid fermentation and are easier to control temperature-wise, which is why most craft beers will have ales as their base.

There are many different types of ales, including:

• American Pale Ale (APA): This type of ale is characterised by its floral, fruity, citrus, piney, or resinous notes, which give it a medium body, medium maltiness, and moderate to low alcohol levels.
• India Pale Ale (IPA): IPAs are known for their bold hop flavours and aromas, with a high hop bitterness that provides a distinct and often intense floral, citrus, or piney flavour profile.
• Stout: A dark, rich beer with robust flavours and a creamy mouthfeel. Stouts typically have mid-to-high alcohol levels and pair well with hearty dishes like roasted meats, stews, and rich desserts.
• Porter: A dark and robust style of beer with a similar flavour profile to stouts, but with a less intense taste. Porters typically have a complex flavour profile that includes notes of caramel, toffee, and dark fruit.
• Wheat Beer: A popular style of beer made with wheat as the malt, giving it a refreshing and crisp taste. Wheat beers often have tangy flavours and are paired well with seasonal fruits, making them a great choice for the summer.
• Sour Ale: This type of ale is characterised by its distinctive sour flavour, which is achieved through fermentation with acid-producing bacteria such as lactobacillus or acetobacter.
• Amber Ale: A golden-coloured beer with a malty taste that blends well with the flavours of pizza or French fries.

Lagers: Fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at cold temperatures, lagers are crisp, clean, and refreshing

Lagers are one of the two main types of beer, the other being ales. The difference between the two comes down to the type of yeast used and the fermentation process. Ales are brewed at warmer temperatures, typically between 60-75°F, and use top-fermenting yeast. This results in a faster fermentation process and a more complex flavour profile.

Lagers, on the other hand, are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at cold temperatures, typically around 45-55°F. The yeast involved in bottom fermentation is a hybrid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces eubayanus, a wild yeast from Patagonia. This wild yeast can thrive in much colder temperatures, and its offspring, Saccharomyces pastorianus, inherited this ability.

Because bottom fermentation takes place at a lower temperature, it requires a longer fermentation period. This results in a "crisper" beer with a cleaner, more refreshing taste compared to ales. Lagers are popular choices for easy-drinking beers in the summer due to their smooth and refreshing qualities.

Pilsners, a popular type of lager, are known for their golden colour, clear body, and crisp finish. They are often served as a refreshing summer drink or as a palate cleanser between courses. The classic American lager is a type of pilsner widely consumed in the United States. German pilsners, also known as pils or pilsener, have a pale golden colour, a floral hop aroma, and a balanced bitterness. Czech or Bohemian pilsners, another variety, are characterised by their rich malt character, spicy hop aroma, and crisp finish.

IPAs: India Pale Ales are known for their bold, bitter hop flavours and high alcohol content

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are a popular style of beer known for their bold and bitter hop flavours. This style of beer was first created in England in the 19th century and has since become a favourite among craft beer lovers. The defining characteristic of IPAs is their high bitterness, which comes from the hops used in brewing. This creates a distinct and intense flavour profile that can include floral, citrus, or piney notes. While IPAs are known for their bold flavours, they also have a strong malt presence that balances the bitterness and creates a harmonious blend of flavours.

American IPAs tend to have a more pronounced bitterness and higher alcohol content compared to their English counterparts. These beers often appeal to craft beer enthusiasts seeking a bold and flavourful drinking experience. Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, take this a step further with an even higher alcohol content and increased hop additions, resulting in a more robust and complex flavour profile. This style typically has an alcohol content above 7.5% by volume.

For those who prefer a softer and more approachable IPA, the New England IPA is a great choice. This style is characterised by its hazy appearance and creamy mouthfeel, with lower bitterness and an intense hop aroma. The lower bitterness makes it a perfect introduction to IPAs for those who are new to the style. New England IPAs often have juicy citrus and floral flavours, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable drinking experience.

IPAs are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of cuisines and dishes. They go particularly well with American and Indian cuisines, fish, and sharp cheeses. When it comes to serving temperature, IPAs are best enjoyed between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit to fully appreciate their complex flavours and aromas.

Whether you're a craft beer aficionado or a beginner, IPAs offer a wide range of flavour profiles and intensities to explore. With their bold hop flavours and high alcohol content, they have become a staple in the craft beer world and continue to gain popularity worldwide.

Stouts: Dark beers with a robust flavour and creamy mouthfeel, often with hints of coffee and chocolate

Stouts are dark beers with a robust flavour and creamy mouthfeel, often with hints of coffee and chocolate. They are a diverse category of beers with a wide range of styles and interpretations. While stouts are known for their dark colour, malt-forward profile, and sometimes hints of coffee, chocolate, or caramel flavours, each variation offers a unique tasting experience.

Irish Dry Stout

Irish dry stouts, such as Guinness, are light-bodied with hints of coffee and chocolate. They have a dry, roasted barley flavour and are often associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Imperial Stout

Bold and robust, imperial stouts like North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin Imperial Stout have a higher alcohol content and intense flavours of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried fruits. They are characterised by their bold flavours and robust character.

Milk Stout

Milk stouts, such as Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout, are sweet and creamy. They are brewed with lactose, which adds sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel. Milk stouts are known for their creamy texture and subtle sweetness.

Oatmeal Stout

Oatmeal stouts, such as St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, are smooth and silky. The addition of oats gives them a creamy texture and subtle sweetness. They are known for their smooth and creamy textures, providing a unique tasting experience.

Pastry Stout

Pastry stouts, such as Du Claw Sweet Baby Swirl Chocolate Peanut Butter White Stout, are sweet and dessert-like. They include adjuncts that give them flavours reminiscent of desserts, such as chocolate and peanut butter. Pastry stouts typically have a thicker mouthfeel and a sweet finish, satisfying any sweet tooth.

Porters: Dark and robust beers with a complex flavour profile, often with notes of caramel and dark fruit

Porters are dark beers with a complex flavour profile. They originated in London, England, in the 1700s and were originally well-hopped and dark in colour due to the brown malt used to brew them. The name is believed to have come from the beer's popularity with street and Thames River porters carting goods.

Porters are known for their deep ruby brown to black colour and often have notes of chocolate, coffee, nuts and caramel. They are usually medium to heavy-bodied, with a creamy and silky texture. The English-style brown porter is famous for its malty-sweet flavour profile, which often contains undetectable amounts of hoppy fruitiness. This sub-style typically lacks heavily roasted malted barley, resulting in less burnt coffee or dark roast flavour. Instead, they are known for their silky, mouth-coating texture, imparting flavours of caramel, toffee, sweet bread, and nuts.

Robust porters are more flavourful versions of brown porters. They have more bitterness and roasted malt flavours, with sharp bitterness from black malt that is offset by caramel and malt sweetness. Smoke porters are a variation of robust porters with added smoky flavours, usually achieved through the use of wood-smoked malt.

American porters are inspired by English porters but have their own distinct character. They tend to have more hop flavour and bitterness, as well as greater depths of malty sweetness. Common flavours include sweet chocolate and caramel, and they often have a moderate hop profile.

Baltic porters are lagered and cold-fermented with lager yeast, making them an exception to the porter's ale classification. They have the maltiness of a brown porter but with higher alcohol content and body. They may also include fruit flavours like berries, grapes, and plums.

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