Estimates show over a hundred beer styles worldwide, including all the significant types and sub-styles. This plethora of choices can be confusing to the avid beer fan. However, beers can be categorized either as a lager or an ale, which can help you identify each type of craft beer out there.

According to the Brewers Association, there are over 9,000 breweries in the U.S., and each has had its take on beer styles. They have created various interpretations of the recipes, which sometimes blur the distinction between ales and lagers. To help outline their differences, we describe some of the most common types of beer in the discussion below.

Lager vs. Ale

Every beer can be categorized as a lager on an ale. These are two different classes of beer differentiated by the fermentation temperature, yeast, and brewing process.

• Lager: Ask any brewer in a Long Beach brewery; they will tell you that a lager is a beer brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast. It is brewed at colder temperatures, usually from 45 °F to 55 °F. After fermentation, this beer is stored in cool temperatures, using a slow fermentation process that can last several weeks to several months.
• Ale: On the other hand, ale is fermented using top-fermented yeast. It is made in warmer temperatures, usually from 60 °F to 75 °F. Beers of this type ferment faster at room temperature.

The slow fermentation of lagers creates a clean and crisp flavor topped with a smooth finish. As a result, beers of this type often have lower alcohol content, a lighter body, and tend to be lighter in color. On the other hand, the faster fermentation process of ale creates more complex flavor profiles. Many ales can have a sweet finish, while others taste slightly bitter. They have fuller bodies and darker colors. In addition, they have a higher alcohol content.

Different Types of Brewery Beer

As mentioned earlier, you can find many different types and subtypes of beer, which can be categorized as ale or lager. However, some brewers have crafted beers that share the attributes of the major types, making it difficult to distinguish their type. Nevertheless, you’ll find the most common types of Long Beach brewery beers described below, including variants of ales and lagers:

India Pale Ale (IPA)

This clear and bright-colored beer carries a dry and bitter taste. Many variants of this concoction include fruity elements making it mineral driven with a sweet flavor. Some of the more popular variants of IPA include New England, Hazy Imperial, Black, and Double IPA.

Pale Ale

This type of beer carries a strong aroma from hops and is medium-bodied. It has minimal maltiness and can have a variety of notes, including pine, floral, and citrus.

Pilsner

This is the most popular type of beer in the U.S., which you’ve probably enjoyed. This lager has a light, crisp, flavorful but will have a slightly bitter taste. This beer originated in the Bohemian town of Pilsen, in the Czech Republic. It comes in a golden color, as its most popular brands include Coors Light and Budweiser.

Helles

This is a German-style lager, which some people mistake for a pilsner since they’re pretty similar. However, it’s slightly sweeter with a maltier taste. Some variants also incorporate a spicy hop flavor.

Stout

This beer originated in Ireland and is known for its smooth texture, rich and dark, and whole body. The dark color comes from roasted malted barley, creating a chocolate-like, roasted, and bitter flavor. Today, you’ll find many stout variants, such as imperial and sweet stouts.

Porter

Porters are versatile and flavorful beer styles often mistaken for stouts since they are similar. This type of beer originated in England and was brought to the U.S. in the early 1800s. Making the light-bodied porter requires combining hops, water, and barley. You can use varying levels of malt to create a distinct rich, dark, roasted flavor.

Today, some common types of porters include American, Baltic, and robust porters. You can find porters featuring various flavors such as nuts, caramel, toffee, coffee, and chocolate. If you want to sample the best porter beers, you can often find them in British-style pubs.

Bock

This is a strong lager with a malty and sweet caramel flavor. This dark-colored beer is often brewed in winter and carries a higher alcohol content than most lagers.

Wheat

Also known as Hefeweizen, wheat beers are often served in tall narrow glasses called Welzen glass, which helps to accentuate this beer’s unique aroma. Hefeweizens feature a golden color and are often unfiltered, giving them a thick and creamy head. Expect an effervescent and refreshing flavor when you try this beer. Some variants have notes of vanilla, clove, and banana, produced using specific types of yeast in the fermentation process.

Sour Beer

Sour beers are becoming increasingly popular today with many beer enthusiasts. They can be paired with your favorite food to accentuate the various flavors. They go well with seafood, salads, and different kinds of cheese. Due to their intense acidity and taste, they’re often served in smaller glasses.

Some of the popular sour beers include the following:

• Lambic: This sour beer hails from Belgium and is made using bacteria and yeast. They’re aged in oak barrels for years, producing a light-bodied, tart, and dry flavor.
• Gose: Another popular sour beer is gose, originating from Leipzig, Germany. It is brewed using coriander, salt, barley malts, and wheat. This beer has a salty and tart flavor profile with a slightly spicy finish.
• Berliner Weisse: This sour beer from Germany uses a unique combination of wheat and barley malts. These beers are highly carbonated and light producing a citrusy tart flavor.
• Flanders Red: This beer originates from Flanders, Belgium, and is aged in oak barrels. This type of ale comes with a sweet taste mixed in with a sour flavor and a fruity aroma with a slightly acidic finish.

Experience the Rich Flavors from the Trusted Long Beach Brewery

Are you looking to have that unique craft food and drink experience? Enjoy the various types of ales and lagers at a SteelCraft table served with scrumptious food in the company of your friends and family. Fill out our contact form to book an event today!