Types of Beer Explained: From Lagers to Ales and Beyond
Beer is one of the most popular types of alcoholic beverages throughout the globe and is welcomed in a variety of dining scenes and environments. The right type of beer can enhance a meal, bringing out new flavors and textures that will define your overall dining experience. The right type of bear can also enhance the ambiance of a special event or celebration you’ve got going on.
If you’re new to drinking alcoholic beverages, understanding the different types of beers is the first step to enjoying the different flavor profiles available. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the different types of beers, the different fermentation processes, alcohol content differences, and many other factors that go into choosing the right beer.
Our guide to understanding different types of beer will help you narrow down the selection and determine what types are most suitable for your preferences.
What Are the Different Types of Beer?
There are many different types of beer, and you’ll find that they’re generally classified into lagers and ales. The main difference between these two types is the yeast used and the fermentation process.
- Lagers: These types of beers use a bottom fermenting yeast and are fermented at much cooler temperatures, around 45 to 55°F. This process leads to a much cleaner and crisper taste in the beverage.
- Ales: Ales are a type of beer that are brewed with a top fermenting yeast and are brewed at a much warmer temperature, around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This process results in a beverage that ferments faster, is more complex, and typically has a range of fruity flavors.
Lager vs. Ale vs. IPA: What’s the Difference?
With so many different types of beer, it’s important to know the difference, especially if you are a beginning drinker.
Lagers and ales bring two distinct flavor profiles to life, and even within these profiles, there are different types of lagers and ales that introduce a variety of bolder, more distinct flavors as well. Meanwhile, IPAs do a great job adding personality to the flavor of beers entirely.
What Is a Lager?
Lagers are some of the most commonly consumed beers across the globe because they are light, easy to drink beers, and go great with popular dishes like pizza, steak, and grilled meats. They have an almost refreshing quality to them because of their smooth and crisp flavor profile. This is due to the longer fermentation process, known as “lagering,” which helps mellow out the flavor so that you get a really clean pour.
Even still, within the category of lagers, there are a variety of beer styles that bring with them their very own unique flavor profiles. For example, Pilsner is a type of pale or golden lager that has a somewhat bitter taste to it. Helles, on the other hand, is a type of lager that has a more malty flavor profile with notes of sweetness.
Other types of lager styles include Dunkel, a much darker pour that has a roasted malt flavor to it. Bock is also a much stronger lager that is accompanied by caramel notes.
What Is an Ale?
You’ll find that ales typically have a more robust flavor profile than lagers, and depending on the type of ale you drink, you might have a preference for one type of ale as opposed to another. Thanks to their fermenting process, ales have a number of fruity flavor profiles but can also include spicy and earthy notes as well.
Pale ales have a slightly bitter finish to them, but do a really good job of balancing malt and hop flavors. Stout ales are the beers that are dark, rich, and creamy. If you’re thinking of Guinness beers, you’re on the right track. These types of beers often incorporate chocolate or coffee to really enhance and bring out the dark and rich flavors in them.
Porter ales are very similar to stout ales, however, they have a much lighter flavor complexity with hints of roasted malt in them. Finally, another popular type of ale is wheat beer. This is made with sweet malt and introduces really unique flavors like clove or banana.
The diverse flavor profile found in ales makes them a really solid choice if you like a bold flavor in your alcoholic beverage. These bold flavors also make ales one of the best beverages to consume alongside spicy food, barbecued meats, and even some desserts.
What Is an IPA?
IPA stands for India Pale Ale and is widely known for its bitterness and bold flavors. IPAs are typically brewed with extra hops, and you’ll find that within this category, there are different types of IPAs. For example:
- West Coast IPA has a citrusy, piney, and almost aggressively bitter taste to it.
- New England IPA, also known as hazy IPA, has a juicier and fruitier flavor profile.
- Session IPA has a much lower and lighter alcohol content and does not have as intense a hop flavor.
- Double IPA, also known as Imperial IPA, has a much higher alcohol content compared to most other IPAs.
What Are the Alcohol Content Differences?
The alcohol content differences between different styles of beer really depend on the type of beer you’re talking about. Generally, you’ll find that lighter lagers and pale ales have a much lower alcohol content level, ranging anywhere from 3.5% to 6%.
Meanwhile, IPAs (including double IPAs) and lagers like stouts and bocks have a much higher alcohol content.
The higher the alcohol content, the more slowly you should sip the beer to fully enjoy the beverage and its complex flavor profile.
How Do I Choose the Right Beer?
Choosing the right beer really depends on you as a drinker. What kind of beer drinker are you? Are you someone who likes muted flavors in your beverage, or do you enjoy bold, fruity aftertastes that bring the drink to life?
If you’re a foodie and really enjoy tasting different flavors, then IPAs like the New England IPA can provide a spectrum of fruity, juicy, and less bitter flavors than lagers might. Ales also do a really good job of bringing bold flavors to life and creating creamy, dark, rich beverages that really enhance the drink and any meals you might be enjoying with them.
If you are new to drinking, are not a big fan of drinking, or want something much more muted, then lagers are a popular choice. Offering a really smooth, crisp, and refreshing finish, lagers are not overpowering and do a really good job of blending well with a variety of dishes.
At Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, you can explore our menu and get a glimpse into the elevated American dishes and diverse draft beer selection to help elevate your dining experience.
What Are Some Popular Beer Styles To Try at Flanker LV?
Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar in Las Vegas does a stellar job showcasing a diverse selection of lagers, ales, and IPAs, and cocktails among other pours to help enhance your dining experience. Our beverage menu has an incredible selection of signature cocktails, wine, bottled and canned beverages, draft beers, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Reserve your table during happy hour or during an evening date and experience the bursting flavors of signature cocktails like our VIP Espresso Martini and our Money Mike Mojito.
Our popular The B Signal Cocktail (one of our Carver Road Hospitality Legacy cocktails) also features bold flavors, including Clase Azul Reposado Tequila, Amaro Montenegro, and orange + chocolate bitters.
For a casual evening out, our draft beers have some of the most diverse flavors and pair well with our popular entrees, side dishes, and appetizers. Sourced from craftsmen throughout the region, local pours like our Beer Zombie Duck Hunter IPA and Beer Zombie Boomstick Blonde Ale bring bold beer flavors to life without sacrificing quality.
We also proudly carry a diverse selection of premium global brews, including Ireland based Guinness, Modelo Especial from Mexico, Hitachino Nest White Ale from Japan, Reissdorf Kölsch from Germany, and many others. You can discover more flavors when you explore our beverage menu here.
Explore Our Beer Selection With a Reservation at Flanker
At Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada, we’re proud to be a premier destination for your celebratory events, sports viewing, date nights, and special occasions.
Offering a one-of-a-kind ambiance during dinner and happy hour, a lively and welcoming atmosphere, flat screen TVs throughout the dining hall, award winning dishes, and a diverse selection of lagers, ales, and IPAs, we’re proud to be a top dining destination for locals and visitors throughout Las Vegas. Experience this unique ambiance for yourself when you book your table today.