A Guide to Beer Styles: From Red Ales to Stouts
Summary
In this article, we explore the different styles of beer, from red ales to stouts. We discuss the ingredients that make up the majority of beer, and how they can be manipulated to achieve a variety of flavors. We also delve into the history and variations of popular styles such as porter and stout, as well as less common styles like Belgian pale ale and Beerdegaard.
Table of Contents
- Red Ales and Transitional Beers
- Wheat Beers and Specialty Ales
- Porter and its Variations
- Stouts and their Sub-Styles
- Hoppy Ales
Red Ales and Transitional Beers
Caramel malt gives beer a reddish hue, while Irish red ale gets its color from a small amount of roast barley. American blonde ale is a golden pale beer that serves as a transitional beer for those moving from American lagers to beers with more flavor.
Wheat Beers and Specialty Ales
American wheat beer is similar to American blonde ale but is made with malted wheat. American brown ale is the American take on British brown ale and is underappreciated. Wheat wine is a high-alcohol specialty beer made with wheat malt. Belgian pale ale is malt-driven and hard to come by. Beerdegaard is produced in three different colors and is a French specialty. Kentucky Common is a historical style that drinks like a dark version of a cream ale. Satie is a finish style with a gin-like, pine, herbal, and floral character due to the use of juniper berries.
Porter and its Variations
The 18th century English porter was a popular beer style made by blending young and old ale. Today’s English porter is just a dark ale style and every porter and stout sub-style can be traced back to this original style. Porter declined in popularity in the 1800s and died out in the 20th century, but was resurrected by American craft brewers. Baltic porter is a variation of the style made in countries surrounding the Baltic Sea and is usually made as a lager. Pre-prohibition porter is a historical style that is hard to find commercially, and was an American brewer’s take on the English porter style.
Stouts and their Sub-Styles
Stouts are a type of beer that come in various sub-styles. Irish stout, like Guinness, has a creamy texture and reduced bitterness due to the inclusion of nitrogen. Irish extra stout and foreign extra stout are similar to Irish stout, but with higher alcohol content. Tropical stout is sweeter than foreign extra stout and was originally brewed for export to tropical locations. American stout has a more intense flavor, while imperial stout is the strongest sub-style with alcohol content that can go up to 12% or even higher. Sweet stout, also known as milk stout, has lactose added to it for a fuller-bodied taste, while oatmeal stout has oats added for a velvety texture.
Hoppy Ales
The hoppy ale category has 21 sub-styles and includes British hoppy ales, such as English IPA, which started the trend of hoppy ales. Hops can impart a variety of flavors, from fruity to floral to piney, and are used in varying amounts to achieve different levels of bitterness and aroma.
Conclusion
Beer is a versatile beverage with a wide range of styles and flavors to suit any taste. Whether you prefer a hoppy IPA or a smooth stout, there is a beer out there for you. By understanding the different styles and ingredients that make up beer, you can better appreciate and enjoy the unique characteristics of each brew. Cheers!
