Types of Beer: Ale-to-Z Lager Landscape of the World’s Brews [2024]

If you like trying out new beers, you know that basic knowledge about the types of beer available is SUPER important. Not to mention that there are so many different beer styles out there, it could be a little overwhelming for new beer enthusiasts.

Did you know that there are more than 100 styles of beer? And the number continuously increases since more types are being created every year by amazing homebrewers and craft breweries.

You might be thinking, “I thought there are only two types of beer?” Well, you’re absolutely right, but these beers vary wildly in terms of their brewing styles.

Amber and Brown American Beer

Features:

• ABV: 4.4%-6.1%
• IBU: 18-45
• Color: gold to copper to reddish-brown
• Food Pairing: sausages, grilled veggies, and pulled pork

Our Overall Thoughts:

An amber beer can either be a lager or an ale, but both beer styles are named after their color.

We love this type of beer because of its toasted malt flavor with a touch of caramel. It also has medium-high hop bitterness.

Some variations of the American Amber Ale have hints of citrus or pine taste, which perfectly balances out the sweetness of the malt.

Standard American Beer

Features:

• ABV: 3.2-4%
• IBU: 5-15
• Color: yellow
• Food Pairing: American cuisine, spicy food

Our Overall Thoughts

You’ve probably heard of the tagline “American’s naked beer style,” right? Well, that’s the American lager beer for you.

This lager is light in flavor and alcohol content. When you first try this beer, you will taste crisp malt-forward flavors.

Examples of the American lager would be Budweiser, Coors, Miller, and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

American Pale Ale

Features:

• ABV: 4.4%-5.4%
• IBU: 30-50
• Color: deep gold to light brown to copper
• Food Pairing: burgers, pizza, Buffalo chicken dip

Our Overall Thoughts

Out of all the pale ales, this one is medium-bodied and has a noticeable American hop bitterness.

What makes American pale ales unique is the balance between malt and hops.

Examples of this type of beer style are Sierra Nevada Brewing company’s Pale Ale and Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale.

Bock Beer [German Wheat Beer]

Features:

• ABV: 6.3% – 9.5%
• IBU: 15-38
• Color: dark brown
• Food Pairing: burgers, sausages, jerk chicken

Our Overall Thoughts

Bock is a type of lager beer that translates to “goat” in German. It’s a dark brown beer with an evident taste of malt.

Just a little history. Bock originated from Einbeck, Germany, and has been traditionally sweet and strong ever since.

Some examples of bock include Shiner Bock, Karbach Crawford Bock, and Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock.

What’s unique about this beer style is it has its own versions. One of them is called maibock, which has a lighter color and more hops.

Another type of bock is called doppelbock which has a malty flavor and a higher alcohol content. Weizenbock is a wheat version of a bock that can come off strong as a doppelbock.

Blonde Ale

Features:

• ABV: 4.1% – 5.1%
• IBU: 15-25
• Color: golden yellow
• Food Pairing: Italian cuisine, spicy food, fish, pepper jack cheese

Our Overall Thoughts

If you want a beer that has a fruity aroma, then the blonde ale is perfect for you. With a perfect blend of malt and hops, this beer tastes like a solid beer you drink on the beach.

Not to mention that it has less alcohol content than the average ale, so you won’t have to worry about getting dizzy.

With its fruity flavor, you’d be reminded of a hot summer day when you’re drinking lemonade. It truly is a refreshing beer.

Some examples of the blonde ale are Victory Brewing company’s Summer Love, Flying Fish Brewing Company’s Farmhouse Summer Ale.

Dunkel Beer

Features:

• ABV: 4.8% – 5.3%
• IBU: 16-25
• Color: amber to dark reddish-brown
• Food Pairing: sausages, spicy Cajun food, chicken wings, grilled meats

Our Overall Thoughts

The Dunkel beer has a strong malt flavor but it won’t burn going down. Contrary to what you would think, it has a smooth mouthfeel.

Originating from Munich, Germany, the word dunkel literally means dark, and it has balanced flavors of chocolate, bread crust, and caramel.

The alcohol content is also mild to noticeable, with hop bitterness staying low.

Some examples of the Dunkel beer are Yee-Haw Dunkel and Left Hand Brewing co. Brewer’s Test Kitchen: Dunkel.

English IPA

Features:

• ABV: 4.5% – 5.5%
• IBU: 20-40
• Color: golden brown
• Food Pairing: American and English cuisines meat, English cheese, roasted chicken, maple bread pudding

Our Overall Thoughts

This pale ale is one of the golden-brown ales because of its color. Just a fun fact, this ale is also called “extra special bitters” or English-Style Pale Ale (ESB).

Unlike the other pale ales, English pale ales have a strong hop flavor balanced with a malty sweetness.

It’s a medium-bodied beer with some caramel flavors

Some examples of English Pale Ale are Black Sheep Ale and Flying Fish Extra Pale Ales.

German Helles

Features:

• ABV: 4.8% – 5.6%
• IBU: 18-25
• Color: light to golden yellow
• Food Pairing: samosas, colby, baklava, pork, brie cheese

Our Overall Thoughts

Like the American pale lager, the German Helles is another type of pale lagers. To give you a background on pale lagers, these are golden-colored beers with low alcohol content and low hoppy bitterness.

A German Helles also has a more noticeable malt flavor, with some hints of roasted barley.

In terms of yeast strains, it has lager yeast. The alcohol is not detectable to mild.

In terms of appearance, one thing that sets Helles apart from other beer styles are the medium and fast-rising bubbles that it has, as its carbonation level is medium to high.

Some Helles they sell in the market are Dry Dock Brewing Co. Helles, Victory Brewing Co. Helles Lager, and The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. Hell Yes.

Hefeweizen

Features:

• ABV: 4.9% – 5.6%
• IBU: 10-15
• Color: straw to amber
• Food Pairing: seafood, chevre, key lime pie

Our Overall Thoughts

If you want a beer that is NOT bitter, with mild alcohol content, then the German-style Hefeweizen is for you.

This beer has a cloudy appearance as it contains high amounts of wheat and yeast. If you want a beer style that has some notes of banana, then this beer will surely please your taste buds.

A darker variety of Hefeweizen is called the dunkelweizen, a specially roasted grain along with banana and clove.

Some examples of Hefeweizen are Dreamweaver Wheat from Troegs Brewing Co., Big Horn Hefeweizen from CB, and Potts Restaurant & Brewery.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

Features:

• ABV: 5.1% – 10.6%
• IBU: 50-70
• Color: light gold to coppery brown
• Food Pairing: spicy sausages, french fries, fish tacos, rich cheeses

Our Overall Thoughts

One thing you need to remember about India Pale Ales is that they generally have high alcohol content. They’re also known for their fruity flavors and hazy appearance.

We love an India pale ale because it has piney and floral flavors, even though it has a strong hop bitterness.

Did you know that there are three types of IPA?

There is:

• The American IPA,
• Imperial or Double IPA,
• English IPA.
• (Is Hazy IPA a style yet?)

Although it has citrus flavors, the American IPA has a higher bitterness than an ordinary pale ale, with an IBU of 50-70 and ABV of 6.3% – 7.5%.

The Imperial or Double IPA has a higher ABV at 7.0% – 14.0%, which is one of the highest among all the beer styles. It has a strong flavor and hop bitterness at IBU 65-100.

Lastly, the English IPA has a generally lower ABV at 5.0%-7.0%. It’s similar to the American style, although it doesn’t taste as bitter as it has an IBU of 35-63.

Some examples of an India Pale Ale are Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, and Goose Island IPA.

Kolsch

Features:

• ABV: 4.4% – 5.2%
• IBU: 20-30
• Color: light gold
• Food Pairing: grilled chicken, sushi, nutty cheeses

Our Overall Thoughts

If you are looking for a unique beer, hybrid ones are just around the corner. Kolsch is one of them.

In terms of mouthfeel, this light beer leaves a slightly dry and crisp finish. Have we mentioned that Kolsch has a soft sweetness to it?

You may also taste a hint of apple or light pear. Among the types of beer, Kolsch is a favorite for those who don’t like sour beers.

With an IBU of 20-30, you won’t detect the alcohol content. It’s perfect to be drunk during hot summer days when you’re reaching for a cold drink.

Some examples of Kolsch are Altstadt Kolsch, Yee Haw Kolsch, and Rogue Honey Kolsch.

Pilsner Beer

Features:

• ABV: 4.1% – 5.3%
• IBU: 25-50
• Color: straw to pale gold to light amber
• Food Pairing: ramen, tacos, spicy chili, white cheddar, chicken, salads

Our Overall Thoughts

Pilsner is probably one of the most famous among the different types of beer. With an IBU that can reach up to 50, it has a high hoppy bitterness that sweeter malts can temper.

Do you want to know a trivia about this beer? American craft breweries deem this one of the most challenging beers to create. It originated from Plzen, Czech Republic.

It has a soft body with a short finish, with low fruity taste and aroma levels, unless the drinker has a trained taste or plate.

Like other lagers, it also has a crisp finish with a refreshing mouthfeel. Beer drinkers wound find this beer a pleasant refuge from the scorching heat during the summer months.

Examples of pilsners are Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s Pivo Pils, Snake River Brewing Co.’s Paintbrush Pilsner, and Victory Brewing Co.’s Prima Pils.

American Porter and Stout

Features:

• ABV: 4.4% – 6%
• IBU: 20-30
• Color: dark brown
• Food Pairing: brownies, ribs, smoked gouda, enchiladas

Our Overall Thoughts

Did you know that there are actually five variations of Porter, namely:

• American Imperial Porter
• Baltic-Style Porter
• English Style Brown Porter
• Robust Porter
• Smoke Porter

With dark brown colors resembling cola, these dark beers originated from street and river porters in England, who are known to drink these dark ales.

If you want some medium hop bitterness, give the American Imperial Porter a try. The English style also has a medium hop bitterness AND roasted malt flavor.

Some examples of this dark beer are Shipyard Brewing Co.’s Imperial Porter, Twisted Pine Brewing Co.’s Northstar Imperial Porter, and Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.

European Sour Ale

Features:

• ABV: wide range
• IBU: wide range
• Color: wide range
• Food Pairing: tangy cheeses, cured meat

Our Overall Thoughts

One thing about sour beers is that you can’t just put them in one category. Their alcohol content varies, as does their ABV and IBU.

However, there will always be one consistent thing about a sour beer: it will always taste acidic and tart.

If you think your favorite beer style would have sour flavors, then this one is definitely for you. If not, don’t worry about trying out some, as some can also have fruity flavors.

One example of a sour beer is the American Sour. One of the factors to this production is the use of wild yeast, and the sour taste is derived from the culture of a barrel-aged beer.

Some versions of sour beers or sour ales also feature caramel malt and chocolate-like aromas found usually in Belgian beers.

Some examples of sour beers are Queen of Tarts from Karl Strauss Brewing co., Le Petit Prince from Jester King Brewery, and Ching Ching from Bend Brewing Co.

Stout Beer

Features:

• ABV: 3.2% – 12%
• IBU: 15-80
• Color: dark brown to black
• Food Pairing: pad Thai, ice cream, meat

Our Overall Thoughts

Who knew that you can also pair some stout beers with ice cream? Yup, we were pretty surprised too!

If you want a malty beer with a noticeable taste of chocolate and caramel, then a Stout is the one for you (DISCLAIMER: They have a high hop bitterness, so be prepared for that too.).

Currently five versions of Stout. These are:

• American Imperial Stout
• American Stout
• English-Style Oatmeal Stout
• English-Style Sweet Stout or Milk Stout
• Irish-Style Dry Stout

If you want a roasted malt flavor to your craft beer, then the Oatmeal Stout is for you. It also has a noticeable taste of roasted barley and coffee-like aromas. It has some mild alcohol content.

If you want some smooth sweetness to your craft beers, milk stouts are perfect for you. It has lactose sugar which generally lowers the IBU, and is a good pair for cheddar or goat cheese and beef.

Some examples of Stout are Deschutes Obsidian Stout, Guinness Draught, and Vault Breakfast Stout.

Tripel

Features:

• ABV: 7.1-10.1%
• IBU: 20-45
• Color: pale to pale gold
• Food Pairing: pasta, meat, poultry

Our Overall Thoughts

You’d know the ABV and IBU of Belgian beers through its name. This Belgian tripel is one of the lighter-bodied ones, with only a slight hop bitterness.

Be warned, though, as it has a high alcohol content. It can also be classified as a spice beer as the unique characteristics of the process give it a distinct taste.

However, some variations also have noticeable sweet flavors. They may also appear hazy sometimes because they are usually bottle-conditioned.

Examples of this craft beer are Allagash Tripel from Allagash Brewing Co., Tripel from Green Flash Brewing Co., and PDA from Black Bottle Brewery.

American Wheat Beer

Features:

• ABV: 2.8% – 5.6%
• IBU: 10-35
• Color: straw to light amber
• Food Pairing: burritos, salads, fruit desserts

Our Overall Thoughts

Did you know that craft breweries use a different type of yeast to produce wheat beers? That’s right! That is also why they are unique in their flavor and aroma.

Wheat beer can also be a Belgian beer, especially when the yeast used in a wheat beer is mixed with coriander and orange peel. You can call this a Belgian Witbier.

In general, wheat beer has a light body and often resembles fruit beers when it comes to their feel. They also typically have a low to medium hop bitterness.

These craft beers are often served unfiltered, so they may have a cloudy appearance. You may ask, “How can I differentiate this beer from the German Weizen?” Well, let us tell you how.

The German Weizen has banana or clove flavors, which is noticeable in their craft beer.

Due to its relatively low alcohol content, the American wheat beer is considered a refreshment during the hot summer months.

Some wheat beer brands you can try out are Telluride Brewing Co.’s Whacked Out Wheat, Bell’s Brewery Inc.’s Oberon, Altitude Chophouse, and Brewery’s Tumblewheat.

Best of The Beer Types:

International Best Beers

Two Main Types of Beers: Lager and Ale

To get things started, there are only two main types of beer – lager and ale – and the others that you know came from these two.

One of the most significant factors in beer styles is the fermentation process, while some beers simply can’t be fit into a specific category.

Some beers can be classified as hybrids, containing both lager beers and ale characteristics.

A lager is made with one strain of yeast, while ale is made with another.

Another key difference between the two is the former is fermented at cold temperatures (35˚F – 50˚F) while the latter is at warmer temperatures (60˚F – 70˚F). [R]

Examples of lager beers are bocks, pale American lagers, and darker pilsners, while IPAs and stouts are different kinds of ale.

Some Technical Terms Explained

If you are new to the scenery of beers, there might be some acronyms/terms that you’ll be unfamiliar with. These are important and will help you choose the right beer for you.

ABV

If you have asked about alcohol content before, you’re familiar with ABV. This acronym means alcohol by volume, which is basically the alcohol content in your beverage.

The usual ABV for beers is 3%-13%, with most types of beer in the range of 4% to 7%. Wine has around 8%-14% ABV, while liquor has 15%-50% ABV.

Did you know that the amount of alcohol beer contains affects its taste? That means a beer with a higher ABV will taste more bitter.

ABV is used in the brewing process so brewers can balance the sweetness and bitterness according to the types of beer.

IBU

This acronym stands for international bitterness unit. It’s a measurement of the number of bitter flavor compounds in a beer. To explain it simply, it tells you how bitter a beer is.

The range starts from 0 to above 100. 0 means that the beer has no bitterness, while those with above 100, well, you already know. It’s pretty crazy, right?

BUT, one cool thing about beers with a high IBU is that sometimes, you won’t even be able to taste that bitterness. For example, if the brewers add high amounts of malt, it will mask the high IBU in the beer.

Not to mention that we all know how bitter flavors taste, so what’s bitter for one might not be so bitter for another.

That doesn’t mean IBU is useless, though! It can still give you a general idea of how bitter a flavor of a beer is.

Top Fermenting Beers

When you say beer is top-fermenting, it means that the yeast used in the fermentation process settles at the top of the liquid.

The yeast has a higher alcohol tolerance and will ferment at warmer temperatures.

Some examples of top-fermenting beers are IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers.

Bottom Fermenting Beers

Lager yeast is much more fragile than ale yeast, which means that the yeast strain would settle at the bottom of the vessel after fermentation.

Unlike top-fermenting beers, the yeast in bottom-fermenting beers ferment more slowly and at cooler temperatures. It also has a lower tolerance to alcohol.

Some examples of bottom-fermenting beers are Pilsners, Bocks, and Oktoberfests.

Spontaneous Fermentation Beers

This fermentation process occurs when brewers pour the wort (unfermented beer) into a vessel and then leave the vessel alone. The beer then picks up natural fauna in the air.

This means that the beer is exposed to wild bacteria and yeast.

Originating from Belgium, this type of fermentation has managed to be known worldwide for creating sour and funky-tasting beers.

Some beers from this brewing process are:

• American sour
• Belgian gueuze
• Flanders red ale
• Lambic Beer

Now these are just the most popular beer styles here at Homebrew Academy. Here’s the full list with links on how to brew each and every one of them:

List of All Beer Styles

Style #	Beer Style	IBUs	SRM	Original Gravity	Final Gravity	ABV
1	Standard American Beer
1A	American Light Lager	8–12	2–3	1.028–1.040	0.998–1.008	2.8–4.2%
1B	American Lager	8–18	2–4	1.040–1.050	1.004–1.010	4.2–5.3%
1C	Cream Ale	8–20	2.5–5	1.042–1.055	1.006–1.012	4.2–5.6%
1D	American Wheat Beer	15–30	3–6	1.040–1.055	1.008–1.013	4.0–5.5%
2	International Lager
2A	International Pale Lager	18–25	2–6	1.042–1.050	1.008–1.012	4.6–6.0%
2B	International Amber Lager	8–25	7–14	1.042–1.055	1.008–1.014	4.6–6.0%
2C	International Dark Lager	8–20	14–22	1.044–1.056	1.008–1.012	4.2–6.0%
3	Czech Lager
3A	Czech Pale Lager	20–35	3–6	1.028–1.044	1.008–1.014	3.0–4.1%
3B	Czech Premium Pale Lager	30–45	3.5–6	1.044–1.060	1.013–1.017	4.2–5.8%
3C	Czech Amber Lager	20–35	10–16	1.044–1.060	1.013–1.017	4.4–5.8%
3D	Czech Dark Lager	18–34	14–35	1.044–1.060	1.013–1.017	4.4–5.8%
4	Pale Malty European Lager
4A	Munich Helles	16–22	3–5	1.044–1.048	1.006–1.012	4.7–5.4%
4B	Festbier	18–25	4–7	1.054–1.057	1.010–1.012	5.8–6.3%
4C	Helles Bock	23–35	6–11	1.064–1.072	1.011–1.018	6.3–7.4%
5	Pale Bitter European beer
5A	German Leichtbier	15–28	2–5	1.026–1.034	1.006–1.010	2.4–3.6%
5B	Kölsch	18–30	3.5–5	1.044–1.050	1.007–1.011	4.4–5.2%
5C	German Helles Exportbier	20–30	4–7	1.048–1.056	1.010–1.015	4.8–6.0%
5D	German Pils	22–40	2–5	1.044–1.050	1.008–1.013	4.4–5.2%
6	Amber Malty European Lager
6A	Märzen	18–24	8–17	1.054–1.060	1.010–1.014	5.8–6.3%
6B	Rauchbier	20–30	12–22	1.050–1.057	1.012–1.016	4.8–6%
6C	Dunkles Bock	20–27	14–22	1.064–1.072	1.013–1.019	6.3–7.2%
7	Amber Bitter European Beer
7A	Vienna Lager	18–30	9–15	1.048–1.055	1.010–1.014	4.7–5.5%
7B	Altbier	25–50	11–17	1.044–1.052	1.008–1.014	4.3–5.5%
7C	Pale Kellerbier	20–35	3–7	1.045–1.051	1.008–1.012	4.7–5.4%
7D	Amber Kellerbier	25–40	7–17	1.048–1.054	1.012–1.016	4.8–5.4%
8	Dark European Lager
8A	Munich Dunkel	18–28	14–28	1.048–1.056	1.010–1.016	4.5–5.6%
8B	Schwarzbier	20–30	17–30	1.046–1.052	1.010–1.016	4.4–5.4%
9	Strong European Beer
9A	Doppelbock	16–26	6–25	1.072–1.112	1.016–1.024	7.0–10.0%
9B	Eisbock	25–35	18–30	1.078–1.120	1.020–1.035	9.0–14.0%
9C	Baltic Porter	20–40	17–30	1.060–1.090	1.016–1.024	6.5–9.5%
10	German Wheat Beer
10A	Weissbier	8–15	2–6	1.044–1.052	1.010–1.014	4.3–5.6%
10B	Dunkles Weissbier	10–18	14–23	1.044–1.056	1.010–1.014	4.3–5.6%
10C	Weizenbock	15–30	6–25	1.064–1.090	1.015–1.022	6.5–9.0%
11	British Bitter
11A	Ordinary Bitter	25–35	8–14	1.030–1.039	1.007–1.011	3.2–3.8%
11B	Best Bitter	25–40	8–16	1.040–1.048	1.008–1.012	3.8–4.6%
11C	Strong Bitter	30–50	8–18	1.048–1.060	1.010–1.016	4.6–6.2%
12	Pale Commonwealth Beer
12A	British Golden Ale	20–45	2–6	1.038–1.053	1.006–1.012	3.8–5.0%
12B	Australian Sparkling Ale	20–35	4–7	1.038–1.050	1.004–1.006	4.5–6.0%
12C	English IPA	40–60	6–14	1.050–1.075	1.010–1.018	5.0–7.5%
13	Brown British Beer
13A	Dark Mild	10–25	12–25	1.030–1.038	1.008–1.013	3.0–3.8%
13B	British Brown Ale	20–30	12–22	1.040–1.052	1.008–1.013	4.2–5.4%
13C	English Porter	18–35	20–30	1.040–1.052	1.008–1.014	4.0–5.4%
14	Scottish Ale
14A	Scottish Light	10–20	17–22	1.030–1.035	1.010–1.013	2.5–3.2%
14B	Scottish Heavy	10–20	13–22	1.035–1.040	1.010–1.015	3.2–3.9%
14C	Scottish Export	15–30	13–22	1.040–1.060	1.010–1.016	3.9–6.0%
15	Irish Beer
15A	Irish Red Ale	18–28	9–14	1.036–1.046	1.010–1.014	3.8–5.0%
15B	Irish Stout	25–45	25–40	1.036–1.044	1.007–1.011	4.0–4.5%
15C	Irish Extra Stout	35–50	25–40	1.052–1.062	1.010–1.014	5.5–6.5%
16	Dark British Beer
16A	Sweet Stout	20–40	30–40	1.044–1.060	1.012–1.024	4.0–6.0%
16B	Oatmeal Stout	25–40	22–40	1.045–1.065	1.010–1.018	4.2–5.9%
16C	Tropical Stout	30–50	30–40	1.056–1.075	1.010–1.018	5.5–8.0%
16D	Foreign Extra Stout	50–70	30–40	1.056–1.075	1.010–1.018	6.3–8.0%
17	Strong British Ale
17A	British Strong Ale	30–60	8–22	1.055–1.080	1.015–1.022	5.5–8.0%
17B	Old Ale	30–60	10–22	1.055–1.088	1.015–1.022	5.5–9.0%
17C	Wee Heavy	17–35	14–25	1.070–1.130	1.018–1.040	6.5–10.0%
17D	English Barleywine	35–70	8–22	1.080–1.120	1.018–1.030	8.0–12.0%
18	Pale American Ale
18A	Blonde Ale	15–28	3–6	1.038–1.054	1.008–1.013	3.8–5.5%
18B	American Pale Ale	30–50	5–10	1.045–1.060	1.010–1.015	4.5–6.2%
19	Amber and Brown American Beer
19A	American Amber Ale	25–40	10–17	1.045–1.060	1.010–1.015	4.5–6.2%
19B	California Common	30–45	10–14	1.048–1.054	1.011–1.014	4.5–5.5%
19C	American Brown Ale	20–30	18–35	1.045–1.060	1.010–1.016	4.3–6.2%
20	American Porter and Stout
20A	American Porter	25–50	22–40	1.050–1.070	1.012–1.018	4.8–6.5%
20B	American Stout	35–75	30–40	1.050–1.075	1.010–1.022	5.0–7.0%
20C	Imperial Stout	50–90	30–40	1.075–1.115	1.018–1.030	8.0–12.0%
21	IPA - India Pale Ale
21A	American IPA	40–70	6–14	1.056–1.070	1.008–1.014	5.5–7.5%
21B	Specialty IPA - Belgian IPA	50–100	5–15	1.058–1.080	1.008–1.016	6.2–9.5%
21B	Specialty IPA - Black IPA	50–90	25–40	1.050–1.085	1.010–1.018	5.5–9.0%
21B	Specialty IPA - Brown IPA	40–70	11–19	1.056–1.070	1.008–1.016	5.5–7.5%
21B	Specialty IPA - Red IPA	40–70	11–19	1.056–1.070	1.008–1.016	5.5–7.5%
21B	Specialty IPA - Rye IPA	50–75	6–14	1.056–1.075	1.008–1.014	5.5–8.0%
21B	Specialty IPA - White IPA	40–70	5–8	1.056–1.065	1.010–1.016	5.5–7.0%
22	Strong American Ale
22A	Double IPA	60–120	6–14	1.065–1.085	1.008–1.018	7.5–10.0%
22B	American Strong Ale	50–100	7–19	1.062–1.090	1.014–1.024	6.3–10.0%
22C	American Barleywine	50–100	10–19	1.080–1.120	1.016–1.030	8.0–12.0%
22D	Wheatwine	30–60	8–15	1.080–1.120	1.016–1.030	8.0–12.0%
23	European Sour Ale
23A	Berliner Weisse	3–8	2–3	1.028–1.032	1.003–1.006	2.8–3.8%
23B	Flanders Red Ale	10–25	10–16	1.048–1.057	1.002–1.012	4.6–6.5%
23C	Oud Bruin	20–25	15–22	1.040–1.074	1.008–1.012	4.0–8.0%
23D	Lambic	0–10	3–7	1.040–1.054	1.001–1.010	5.0–6.5%
23E	Gueuze	0–10	3–7	1.040–1.060	1.000–1.006	5.0–8.0%
23F	Fruit Lambic	0–10	3–7	1.040–1.060	1.000–1.010	5.0–7.0%
24	Belgian Ale
24A	Witbier	8–20	2–4	1.044–1.052	1.008–1.012	4.5–5.5%
24B	Belgian Pale Ale	20–30	8–14	1.048–1.054	1.010–1.014	4.8–5.5%
24C	Bière de Garde	18–28	6–19	1.060–1.080	1.008–1.016	6.0–8.5%
25	Strong Belgian Ale
25A	Belgian Blond Ale	15–30	4–7	1.062–1.075	1.008–1.018	6.0–7.5%
25B	Saison	20–35	5–14	1.048–1.065	1.002–1.008	5.0–7.0%
25C	Belgian Golden Strong Ale	22–35	3–6	1.070–1.095	1.005–1.016	7.5–10.5%
26	Trappist Ale
26A	Trappist Single	25–45	3–5	1.044–1.054	1.004–1.010	4.8–6.0%
26B	Belgian Dubbel	15–25	10–17	1.062–1.075	1.008–1.018	6.0–7.6%
26C	Belgian Tripel	20–40	4.5–7	1.075–1.085	1.008–1.014	7.5–9.5%
26D	Belgian Dark Strong Ale	20–35	12–22	1.075–1.110	1.010–1.024	8.0–12.0%
27	Historical Beer
27A	Gose	5–12	3–4	1.036–1.056	1.006–1.010	4.2–4.8%
27A	Kentucky Common	15–30	11–20	1.044–1.055	1.010–1.018	4.0–5.5%
27A	Lichtenhainer	5–12	3–6	1.032–1.040	1.004–1.008	3.5–4.7%
27A	London Brown Ale	15–20	22–35	1.033–1.038	1.012–1.015	2.8–3.6%
27A	Piwo Grodziskie	20–35	3–6	1.028–1.032	1.006–1.012	2.5–3.3%
27A	Pre-Prohibition Lager	25–40	3–6	1.044–1.060	1.010–1.015	4.5–6.0%
27A	Pre-Prohibition Porter	20–30	18–30	1.046–1.060	1.010–1.016	4.5–6.0%
27A	Roggenbier	10–20	14–19	1.046–1.056	1.010–1.014	4.5–6.0%
27A	Sahti	7–15	4–22	1.076–1.120	1.016–1.020	7.0–11.0%
28	American Wild Ale
28A	Brett Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
28B	Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
28C	Wild Specialty Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
29	Fruit Beer
29A	Fruit Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
29B	Fruit and Spice Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
29C	Specialty Fruit Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
30	Spiced Beer
30A	Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
30B	Autumn Seasonal Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
30C	Winter Seasonal Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
31	Alternative Fermentables Beer
31A	Alternative Grain Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
31B	Alternative Sugar Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
32	Smoked Beer
32A	Classic Style Smoked Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
32B	Specialty Smoked Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
33	Wood Beer
33A	Wood-Aged Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
33B	Specialty Wood-Aged Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
34	Specialty Beer
34A	Clone Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
34B	Mixed-Style Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
34C	Experimental Beer	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS

How Do I Know the Right Craft Beer for Me?

Well, as you have seen in this list, there are SO MANY different types of beer, and it seems impossible to choose just one and stick with it.

But, there are a few guidelines you also have to consider, especially if you are a starting beer enthusiast.

Be Aware of the Allergens

Certain beers contain possible allergens, such as barley and wheat, for those with gluten intolerance.

A certain type of stout called Milk Stout also has some added lactose, so consider that too when trying out beers.

Of course, different types of beer have other ingredients too. Our advice is to read the list of ingredients first. This way, you’re sure that you’re not accidentally triggering your allergy.

Consider Your Alcohol Tolerance

Let’s admit it, we all thought that craft beer doesn’t have that much alcohol content. But, as you can see from this list, some even reach up to 14% ABV.

Pale lagers, for example, have low to mid-level alcohol, but they can still pack quite the punch when you drink them consecutively.

If you think you have low tolerance, it would be best to start trying those with a low ABV, such as session beers, or even non-alcoholc beer. Here’s how to brew na-beer at home and why you should at least try it.

These beers are simply any type of beer – which means it can be an American Amber Ale or even a pale lager – brewed with a lesser ABV for summertime drinking sessions.

Go slow at first, and then when you think you can handle more, that’s when you can go all-out in trying other types of craft beers.

Ask For Guidance

Did you know that there are a lot of beer enthusiasts all over America? So much so that they even invented beer clubs.

That means there are SO MANY people willing to guide you on your journey to becoming a beer enthusiast.

Ask bartenders from your local pub or bar, as they also know about brewing beer. Of course, they also have suggestions on what beers you should try first.

Personal Preferences

If you’re going to try out something new, it would be better to try out something that you think you would like first.

In this way, you won’t be overwhelmed with the foreign taste of some beers, especially if you have a sensitive palate.

Do you like sour flavors? The sours might be the one for you. Do you like the taste of malt and prefer stronger beers? Then a lager with their bottom-fermenting yeast will suit your taste.

Rate Your Beers

Once you have already tried out a new beer, don’t forget to list them down and put your comments. What did you like about it? What did you not like about it?

Asking these questions will help you find the right beer for you, even in the multitude of beers out there.

Some Final Words

We hope you learned something from our list of different types of beer!

Remember, drinking and trying out beer is not a competition. Take your time to find out what you like, even if others don’t like the same beer styles.

Enjoy your beer!

Frequently Asked Questions

How are lagers and ales differentiated?

Lagers and ales are differentiated primarily by the yeast strains and fermentation temperatures. Lagers use a specific yeast strain and are fermented at colder temperatures (35˚F – 50˚F), while ales use a different yeast strain and are fermented at warmer temperatures (60˚F – 70˚F).

What is ABV and how does it affect beer’s taste?

ABV stands for Alcohol By Volume and denotes the alcohol content in a beverage. A higher ABV in beer generally results in a more bitter taste, as it affects the balance between sweetness and bitterness.

What does IBU indicate in beer?

IBU, or International Bitterness Units, measure the bitterness in beer originating from hops. While higher IBU values indicate more bitterness, the actual perception can be masked by the malt sweetness.

What are top-fermenting and bottom-fermenting beers?

Top-fermenting beers use yeast that settles at the top post-fermentation, suitable for warmer temperatures. Examples include IPAs and stouts.

Bottom-fermenting beers have yeast settling at the bottom, suitable for cooler temperatures, like Pilsners and Bocks.

What causes the variety in beer styles?

The variety in beer styles arises from differing brewing techniques, ingredients, and historical or regional practices. Despite stemming from two primary types, ales and lagers, the spectrum of beer styles is broadened by varying the aforementioned factors.

What are the main types of beer?

The main types of beer are classified as lagers and ales. This classification is based on the different yeast strains and fermentation temperatures used. Lagers are made with a specific yeast strain and are fermented at colder temperatures, while ales use a different strain and are fermented at warmer temperatures.

Various other beer styles have evolved from these two primary categories, diversifying the beer landscape further.

How many types of beer are there?

The article suggests that there are over 100 styles of beer, with new types continually being developed. This vast number results from the diverse brewing techniques, ingredient choices, and regional or historical practices which have evolved over time, each contributing to the distinct characteristics of different beer styles.

What are the different types of beer?

The different types of beer are essentially variations or sub-categories of lagers and ales. Examples provided in the article include Amber, American Lager, IPAs, Stouts, Pilsners, and Bocks.

Each type has distinct features like differing alcohol by volume (ABV), international bitterness units (IBU), color, and taste profiles which arise from variations in the brewing styles and ingredients used.

What’s the difference between beer and ale?

The term “beer” is an umbrella term that encompasses both ales and lagers, the two primary categories of beer. The difference between beer and ale specifically lies in the fact that ale is a type of beer characterized by the use of a particular yeast strain and warmer fermentation temperatures.

Lagers, on the other hand, use a different yeast strain and are fermented at colder temperatures. The distinctive fermentation processes and yeast strains contribute to the varying flavors, aromas, and other characteristics distinguishing ales from lagers.

What kinds of beer are there?

The kinds of beer mentioned include lagers, ales, and several sub-categories or styles like Amber, American Lager, IPAs (India Pale Ales), Stouts, Pilsners, and Bocks. These types are characterized by unique features such as different ABV levels, IBU ratings, and color profiles.

Other categories like top-fermenting and bottom-fermenting beers, as well as spontaneously fermented beers, represent additional variations in the beer spectrum, with each having distinct brewing requirements and resulting flavors.