Beer Styles

Question 1

Pale Ales and Amber Ales

Answer 1

Born from the English brewing tradition, these ales range in color from pale straw to deep red and usually have a moderate amount of hop flavor and aroma. Amber ales are slightly maltier than pale ales.

Question 2

India Pale Ales

Answer 2

This heavily hopped English style developed in the eighteenth century and was brewed for long voyages to India and other colonies. It has become super popular in America where the bitterness quotient has been pushed higher and higher.

Question 3

Brown Ales

Answer 3

The nutty, malty ales are a super-traditional English style that are usually light to dark brown in color with a sweet, roasted character. The classic versions are lightly hopped and moderate in alcohol.

Question 4

Porters and Stouts

Answer 4

These dark English beers can come in a range of styles from sweet to bone-dry, chocolaty and mild to bitter and roasted. They are generally dark brown to black in color and are full-bodied, though not necessarily high in alcohol.

Question 5

Belgian Ales

Answer 5

Unfettered by brewing laws such as Germany’s Reinheitsgebot, Belgian brewers developed a tradition of incorporating spices, sugars and fruits into their beers. The category covers a wide range of styles from the light, spicy saisons to the powerful abbey-style ales.

Question 6

Wheat beers

Answer 6

Wheat grain makes up more than half the mix in a true wheat beer. Adding a handful of wheat to the grain mix brings a touch of haze and a bready aroma. The styles range from the light, fruity weissebeers and hefeweizens to the darker, maltier dunkelweizens. Common yeasts for wheat beers leave signature notes of cloves and bananas.

Question 7

Lager

Answer 7

Cold-fermenting lager yeasts take longer to work and require cold storage.