Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 8/2/2019 to
Bars
There are far more styles of ales than there are lagers. This makes sense since ales can be traced back to antiquity while lagers, dating back only several centuries, are relatively new by comparison. In addition to their differences in age, ales and lagers are also completely opposite in how they are made. Ales are fermented with top-fermenting yeast (meaning yeast floats on top of the beer during fermentation) and is fermented at warmer temperatures for a short period of time. Lagers, on the other hand, are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast (the yeast sinks to the bottom of the beer) and is fermented in cold temperatures for longer periods of time. Lagers are also typically where new drinkers start out as Coors, Budweiser, and Yuengling are all lagers.
Perhaps the most popular style of lager is the pilsner. Typically served in a pilsner glass, this style of beer originates from the Czech Republic. Their varieties are darker and more bitter than the German versions which are often pale gold in color and have a crisp taste.
Because ales are more popular than lagers, there are far more styles of ale--IPAs, pale ales, stouts, Belgian beers, and sour beers, to name just a few. Indian Pale Ale, or IPA, is probably the most popular style of ale and is most peoples' introduction to craft beer. Depending on the variety of hops used, IPAs can have high alcohol levels and can range in flavor from bitter to herbal to citrus to fruity.
Pale ales have a lower alcohol content level than IPAs and are fairly easy to drink given their medium body and malty flavor. American amber, blonde ale, and English pale ale are all pale ales. In contrast to pale ales' light color and relatively light body, stouts are dark, full-bodied beers that can give off the taste of coffee or dark chocolate. Stouts can be sweet or bitter depending on where they hail from. For example, American stouts tend to be on the bitter side, while most sweet stouts can be found in Ireland or England. The most famous stout, of course, is the Guinness.
Both Belgian beers and sour beers can span the ale spectrum from pale to dark, fruity to sour. Belgian beers typically have a high alcohol content, low bitterness, and have sweet, spicy, or fruity flavors. A particular ale known as Trappist ale because it's made exclusively by Trappist monks, is considered a Belgian beer. Sour beers on the other hand, combine sweet and sour flavors with fruit to create new combinations. This style has grown in popularity in the United States over the last several years and attracts those looking to branch out or expand their beer palate.
Regardless of what type or style of beer you prefer, celebrate International Beer Day by relaxing with an ice cold mug of beer!
