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Beer styles explained

Beer styles

30 styles in four families. Each guide covers the taste, the history, how to serve it, food pairings and three bottles to try.

Find a style with the beer finder

Lagers

A glass of American LagerAmerican Lager4.2–5.3% ABV, very low bitternessA glass of BockBock6.3–7.5% ABV, low bitternessA glass of DunkelDunkel4.5–5.6% ABV, low bitternessA glass of HellesHelles4.7–5.4% ABV, low bitternessA glass of India Pale LagerIndia Pale Lager5.5–7.0% ABV, medium to high bitternessA glass of Mexican LagerMexican Lager4.0–5.5% ABV, low bitternessA can of Königsbacher Pils, a German pilsner, standing on a table in warm lightPilsner4.2–5.4% ABV, medium to high bitternessA glass of MärzenMärzen5.6–6.3% ABV, low to medium bitternessA glass of SchwarzbierSchwarzbier4.4–5.4% ABV, low to medium bitterness

Ales & IPAs

A glass of Amber AleAmber Ale4.5–6.2% ABV, medium bitternessA glass of Blonde AleBlonde Ale3.8–5.5% ABV, low bitternessA glass of Brown AleBrown Ale4.2–5.9% ABV, low to medium bitternessA glass of Hazy IPAHazy IPA6.0–7.5% ABV, low to medium bitternessA glass of Imperial IPAImperial IPA8.0–10.0% ABV, very high bitternessA can of Volfas Engelman IPA, an India pale ale, standing on a table in warm lightIPA5.5–7.5% ABV, high bitternessA can of Volfas Engelman APA, an Australian pale ale, standing on a table in warm lightPale Ale4.5–6.2% ABV, medium bitternessA glass of West Coast IPAWest Coast IPA6.0–7.5% ABV, high bitternessA glass of Session IPASession IPA3.5–5.0% ABV, medium bitterness

Wheat, Belgian & Sour

A glass of Berliner WeisseBerliner Weisse2.8–3.8% ABV, very low bitternessA glass of Belgian DubbelBelgian Dubbel6.0–7.6% ABV, low bitternessA glass of GoseGose4.2–4.8% ABV, very low bitternessA can of Königsbacher Weizen, a German wheat beer, standing on a table in warm lightHefeweizen4.9–5.6% ABV, low bitternessA glass of LambicLambic5.0–7.0% ABV, very low bitternessA glass of SaisonSaison5.0–7.0% ABV, medium bitternessA glass of TripelTripel7.5–9.5% ABV, medium bitternessA glass of WitbierWitbier4.5–5.5% ABV, low bitterness

Stouts & Porters

A glass of Milk StoutMilk Stout4.0–6.0% ABV, low to medium bitternessA glass of PorterPorter4.5–6.5% ABV, medium bitternessA can of Murphy's Irish Stout standing on a table in warm lightStout4.0–7.0% ABV, medium bitternessA glass of Imperial StoutImperial Stout8.0–12.0% ABV, medium to high bitterness

How to read a beer style guide

Each guide gives you three numbers that describe almost any beer. They make it easy to compare styles and to find new beers similar to the ones you already enjoy.

Colour (SRM)

The Standard Reference Method measures colour, from about 2 for a pale straw pilsner to 40 and above for a black imperial stout. Colour comes mostly from the malt: darker roasted malts give darker beer and flavours of caramel, coffee and chocolate.

Bitterness (IBU)

International Bitterness Units measure bitterness from hops. A wheat beer may have 10 IBU, a classic pilsner around 35 and a West Coast IPA 60 or more. Malt sweetness balances bitterness, so two beers with the same IBU can taste quite different.

Strength (ABV)

Alcohol by volume is the share of the beer that is alcohol. Most everyday lagers and ales are 4 to 6 percent; Belgian tripels, imperial IPAs and imperial stouts can reach 8 to 12 percent.

Ales and lagers

Most styles fall into two families. Ales are fermented with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, which gives fruity and spicy flavours. Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures and are aged longer, which gives a cleaner, crisper taste. Wheat beers and sour beers have their own guides in the Wheat, Belgian and Sour family.

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