There are so many different styles and everybody has his or her own taste. The only way to find your favorite one is to try yourself! Don't hesitate, go ask for samples from any brewery to try until you find a style that suits your taste.
But, there are certainly some popular ones that you can start with. We did a lot of research and consulted Danny Grzeskowiak, the expert bartender from International Tap House in Chesterfield (We particularly thank iTAP to allow Danial Sadri take all the photos), to come up with the list of 10 popular styles. A picture of each style is provided for a rough idea of the appearance. Yet due to the light in the tap house, beer color in the pictures may deviate from the reality. The order is arranged from left to right on the Periodic Table. Try to locate them!
But, there are certainly some popular ones that you can start with. We did a lot of research and consulted Danny Grzeskowiak, the expert bartender from International Tap House in Chesterfield (We particularly thank iTAP to allow Danial Sadri take all the photos), to come up with the list of 10 popular styles. A picture of each style is provided for a rough idea of the appearance. Yet due to the light in the tap house, beer color in the pictures may deviate from the reality. The order is arranged from left to right on the Periodic Table. Try to locate them!
1. American Wheat
Belongs to Group I: Wheat Beers
Wheat beer, one popular ale as a "starter beer", is brewed with a large portion of wheat in addition to malted barley. The color is light yellow and the flavor is very clean, light, semi-fruity, and crisp.
Wheat beer, one popular ale as a "starter beer", is brewed with a large portion of wheat in addition to malted barley. The color is light yellow and the flavor is very clean, light, semi-fruity, and crisp.
2. Fruit Lambic Beer
Belongs to Group II: Lambics and Sours
Unlike conventional beers which are fermented by brewers'cultivated yeasts, lambics need wild yeast and bacteria that are said to be native to Brussels and Belgium. That's why most lambics are imported from these two countries and the price is relatively high. Fruit beer is lambic with the addition of fruit or flavor. The taste is tart, sour and fruity. You may hear somebody say, "This tastes like juice rather than beer!"
Unlike conventional beers which are fermented by brewers'cultivated yeasts, lambics need wild yeast and bacteria that are said to be native to Brussels and Belgium. That's why most lambics are imported from these two countries and the price is relatively high. Fruit beer is lambic with the addition of fruit or flavor. The taste is tart, sour and fruity. You may hear somebody say, "This tastes like juice rather than beer!"
3. Tripel
Belongs to Group III: Belgian Ales
This group is filled with ales from Belgium. Beer in Belgium was produced long before this country became independent, and originally distributed as a fund raising method by local abbeys. Yet Belgian abbey tripel wasn't invented until 1930s to follow the Pilsner and Pale Ale trends at the time. The flavor is highly carbonated, dry, spicy, semi-fruity with complex clean maltness.
This group is filled with ales from Belgium. Beer in Belgium was produced long before this country became independent, and originally distributed as a fund raising method by local abbeys. Yet Belgian abbey tripel wasn't invented until 1930s to follow the Pilsner and Pale Ale trends at the time. The flavor is highly carbonated, dry, spicy, semi-fruity with complex clean maltness.
4. Belgian Dark Ale
Belongs to Group III: Belgian Ales
Another popular Belgian Ale. This is a strong beer with 9.2% alcohol by volume. You can clearly see the color is much darker than Tripel. Hence a rich finish can be expected. The flavor is caramelly malt, spicy and fruity with complex malt. It is fabulous with chocolate. Give it a shot!
Another popular Belgian Ale. This is a strong beer with 9.2% alcohol by volume. You can clearly see the color is much darker than Tripel. Hence a rich finish can be expected. The flavor is caramelly malt, spicy and fruity with complex malt. It is fabulous with chocolate. Give it a shot!
5. Pale Ale
Belongs to Group IV: Pale Ales
Around 1703, Pale Ale was invented by British brewers who made beers from malts dried with coke (made from coals but with high carbon content). Pale malts caused a lighter color and taste in beer than the popular dark beers during the time. The taste is spicy, clean and nutty malt.
Around 1703, Pale Ale was invented by British brewers who made beers from malts dried with coke (made from coals but with high carbon content). Pale malts caused a lighter color and taste in beer than the popular dark beers during the time. The taste is spicy, clean and nutty malt.
6. India Pale Ale (IPA)
Belongs to Group IV: Pale Ales
India Pale Ale was also born in British. As the Pale Ale evolved as a style and became popular, brewers had to figure out a way to ensure Pale Ales could survive on the way to India. So more hops were added and the beers were brewed a little stronger. As you can see from the Periodic Table, IPA has higher ABV than pale ale, which ensures the beer more stable during the transportation. The taste of IPA is similar to Pale Ale, but more aggressive.
India Pale Ale was also born in British. As the Pale Ale evolved as a style and became popular, brewers had to figure out a way to ensure Pale Ales could survive on the way to India. So more hops were added and the beers were brewed a little stronger. As you can see from the Periodic Table, IPA has higher ABV than pale ale, which ensures the beer more stable during the transportation. The taste of IPA is similar to Pale Ale, but more aggressive.
7. American Brown
Belongs to Group VII: Brown Ales
As you can see from the picture, Brown Ale has a brown or deep amber color. Today brown ales are most notably made in England, Belgium, and America. Classic British style has a bare balance between maltiness and bitterness while American style is more balanced, sometimes hoppier, bigger and browner. There is plenty of caramel malt taste with a hint of delicate hop finish.
As you can see from the picture, Brown Ale has a brown or deep amber color. Today brown ales are most notably made in England, Belgium, and America. Classic British style has a bare balance between maltiness and bitterness while American style is more balanced, sometimes hoppier, bigger and browner. There is plenty of caramel malt taste with a hint of delicate hop finish.
8. Dry Stout
Belongs to Group IX: Stouts
Stout is a type of strong black beer, which is believed to be the descendant of Porters that were originally from London around the 1700's and became the most popular beer in the 18th century. Stout has a large and varied family (as seen from the Periodic Table) from dry to sweet, weak to strong. This dry stout tastes dry, roasty, and a little hoppy.
Stout is a type of strong black beer, which is believed to be the descendant of Porters that were originally from London around the 1700's and became the most popular beer in the 18th century. Stout has a large and varied family (as seen from the Periodic Table) from dry to sweet, weak to strong. This dry stout tastes dry, roasty, and a little hoppy.
9. German Pilsner
Belongs to Group X: Pilsners
Pilsner is a type of pale lager colored from pale to golden, which is the most popular commercial type now. Bud light and Corona Extra are in this group. Pilsner was born in Plzen, Bohemia, Czech Republic and named after the city. The taste is clean, crisp, smooth, and herby hop.
Pilsner is a type of pale lager colored from pale to golden, which is the most popular commercial type now. Bud light and Corona Extra are in this group. Pilsner was born in Plzen, Bohemia, Czech Republic and named after the city. The taste is clean, crisp, smooth, and herby hop.
10. Scotch Ale
Belongs to Group XX: Strong Ale
Scotch Ale is also known as "Wee Heavy". During the brewing process, Scotch Ale is boiled until the wort is caramelized, resulting in a richer color and flavor than regular Scottish Ales. The taste is rich, toffee, and roasted malt. Some brewers may add small quantity of peat to generate a peaty-smoked malt flavor.
Scotch Ale is also known as "Wee Heavy". During the brewing process, Scotch Ale is boiled until the wort is caramelized, resulting in a richer color and flavor than regular Scottish Ales. The taste is rich, toffee, and roasted malt. Some brewers may add small quantity of peat to generate a peaty-smoked malt flavor.
In the end, we want to thank Danny Grzeskowiak for his kindness
and patience to help us distinguish flavors among all the beers.