Were you aware that the number of distinct types of beer on the market today is in the thousands? If you enjoy drinking beer this means that you could try a new type every week and still not try them all in your lifetime! Yet, that doesn’t mean that you can’t try.
This article delves into just a few of the common types of beer that you can find at your local bar or pub. Keep reading to discover your next favorite brew!
What Are the Main Types of Beer?
Beer can start out as one of two things: an ale or a lager. Then a beer develops its style and flavor until the end of the fermentation process when it’s ready for consumption.
The Oldest Types of Beer: Ale
Ale is the oldest style of beer as you can trace its origins all the way back to antiquity. What makes an ale an ale is its warm-temperature fermentation over a short period of time.
During the brewing process, a brewer includes top-fermenting yeast. As the name suggests, this yeast ferments on the top of the brew.
When it comes to ale, the most common types include porter, stout, blonde ale, brown ale, pale ale, India pale ale, and sour ale.
A Newer Type of Beer: Lager
A lager is a newer type of beer that ferments for a longer time at a lower temperature compared to ales. Also unlike ales, lagers rely on bottom-fermenting yeasts.
When it comes to lager, the most common types include Vienna-style lager, Pilsner, and Maibock.
A Type of Beer That Defies Category: Wheat Beer
There’s a type of beer you may be familiar with that you might notice is missing from the two lists above, which is wheat beer. This is because, although it’s in its own category, you can make wheat beer in many styles. Most time you’ll find a wheat beer that’s a top-fermenting ale, but that’s not always the case.
Despite its versatility, what makes wheat beer unique is the wheat itself. In fact, to be called a wheat beer, a beer must contain a large amount of wheat, either with or without malt.
What’s the Best Brewery?
Whether you want, for example, a sour ale or a Vienna-style lager, you can always find a delicious beer by visiting eastbrotherbeer.com. The team at East Brother Beer Co., based in Richmond, California, consists of passionate beer-lovers who have a focus on brewing classic styles. Visit their taproom or have East Brother Beer delivered right to your door with their beer subscription service.
Get the Best Beer on the Market Today!
The types of beer mentioned here are just a fraction of the beers on the market today. By learning some of the common types of beer, you can increase your comfort and familiarity with one of the world’s oldest and most enjoyed beverages.
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