What makes one beer taste different from another? Exploring beer in Pennsylvania reveals a world of flavors shaped by various ingredients, brewing methods, and types of yeast. So, if you’ve ever wondered, “What are the kinds of beer styles available?” then you’re in luck.

Today, we are going to look at the main categories of beer: ales, lagers, and hybrids. So, grab a glass, and let’s explore the wonderful varieties that make beer so endlessly exciting.

Key Takeaways

• Ales, lagers, and hybrid beers each bring distinct flavors and brewing techniques to explore.
• Specialty beers like fruit, spice, and sour styles offer unique tastes outside traditional categories.
• New Trail Brewing Co. invites beer enthusiasts to discover a wide range of craft beer styles in their Tasting Room.

Ales

Ales come in a wide array of styles, each with its own unique character. For those who enjoy variety, ales offer everything from the citrusy kick of an American Pale Ale to the rich, toasted malt of a brown ale. The use of ale yeast and warmer fermentation creates expressive flavors, often making ales the more adventurous choice for beer enthusiasts.

Pale ales and IPAs

Among the most popular beer styles, pale ales and IPAs (India Pale Ale) are celebrated for their versatility. Pale ales bring forward a balanced flavor profile with mild hop bitterness and subtle malt sweetness. Within this category, American Pale Ales are well-known for their bright hop notes and drinkable style.

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, come in several subtypes that build on the pale ale foundation. The West Coast IPA emphasizes bold, bitter hops with hints of pine and citrus, while New England IPAs are beloved for their hazy appearance and tropical, juicy flavors.

For those craving even more intensity, the Double IPA or Imperial IPA doubles the hop load, resulting in an unforgettable taste experience with higher alcohol content.

Stouts and porters

If you’re in the mood for something dark and rich, stouts and porters deliver in spades. Porters, typically smooth with flavors of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee, offer a dark, malty character without overwhelming bitterness.

American Brown Ales and English Brown Ales add depth with caramel and nutty tones, making them a cozy choice for cooler temperatures.

On the stout side, dry stouts bring a crisp roastiness, often with hints of cocoa, while oatmeal stouts add a creamy texture to balance out roasted barley bitterness. For a bold flavor, imperial stouts stand out with their rich malt character, often including dark chocolate and espresso-like notes.

Belgian styles

Belgian-style beers bring something truly special to the table with their complex fruity and spicy flavors.

The Belgian Dubbel showcases deep caramelized fruit and subtle spice, making it a standout for fans of layered flavors. The Belgian Tripel brings in stronger fruity esters, often with a golden color and higher alcohol content, creating a blend of fruity sweetness and slight bitterness.

For a truly unique experience, Lambics and other sour ales take a wild approach by using wild yeast and spontaneous fermentation that results in sour, funky flavors. Variations like fruit beers are created by adding fruits like cherries or raspberries, offering a tangy flavor that appeals to adventurous beer drinkers looking for something outside the usual brew.

With these distinct styles, ales reveal a wide-ranging world where everyone can find a flavor to love.

Lagers

For beer drinkers who prefer a refreshing, balanced taste, lagers are a go-to choice. Lager yeast ferments at cooler temperatures and typically takes longer than ales, resulting in a light, clean profile. From the bright pale lagers to the richer dark beers, lagers offer a range of flavors perfect for those who appreciate a crisp, easy-drinking experience.

Pilsner

The pilsner is among the most popular and widely loved lager beers and is renowned for its crisp and subtly hoppy flavor. Originating in the Czech Republic, this classic beer style showcases a delicate balance of malt and hops, with a refreshing bitterness.

German Pilsners bring an even drier finish and a pronounced hop profile, making them a favorite on beer menus worldwide.

Bocks and dunkels

For those looking to explore lagers with deeper flavors, bocks and dunkels provide a rich, malty experience. Bocks are dark lagers with a higher alcohol content, featuring smooth, malty sweetness and flavors of caramel or toffee.

Variations include Maibock, a lighter version brewed for spring; Doppelbock, which intensifies the malty sweetness; and Weizenbock, a wheat-based bock with hints of fruity esters.

Dunkels, on the other hand, are dark lagers that highlight roasted malt aromas with smooth notes of chocolate or bread. These beers offer a warming, satisfying sip, making them ideal for cooler temperatures or pairing with hearty foods.

Hybrid Beers and Specialty Styles

For those eager to try something different, hybrid and specialty beers offer inventive flavors and brewing techniques that go beyond traditional categories. These beers often blend characteristics of both lager beers and ales, bringing unique tastes that surprise and delight.

Kölsch

Originating in Cologne, Germany, Kölsch is a hybrid beer that combines ale and lager characteristics. Brewed with ale yeast but finished at cooler temperatures, Kölsch offers a light, delicately fruity flavor with a crisp finish. Its subtle maltiness and smooth texture make it an excellent choice for those seeking a balanced, refreshing drink that’s both familiar and distinct.

California common

Also known as “steam beer,” California common is a unique hybrid brewed with lager yeast but at warmer temperatures. This process produces a slightly fruity, earthy flavor with a light bitterness and toasty malt character.

Known for its approachable flavor, California common is a versatile option for beer drinkers who enjoy a mild, balanced taste.

Sour beers

For a more adventurous palate, sour beers bring an unexpected tartness created by wild yeast or bacteria used in the brewing process. Lambics, for example, undergo spontaneous fermentation and develop complex flavors with a tangy, almost funky profile.

Other types of sour beers include Berliner Weisse, which is light-bodied with lemony tartness, and Flanders Red Ale, a Belgian-style beer aged in oak for fruity, wine-like sourness. These beers offer a refreshing change from the usual, perfect for those who enjoy tangy flavors with a hint of fruity sweetness.

Fruit, Spice, and Experimental Beers

The world of craft beer goes far beyond traditional ingredients, with fruit beers and spiced brews adding unique twists to the drinking experience. These beers bring extra layers of flavor that are perfect for those who love to explore outside the ordinary beer tastes.

Fruit beers

Fruit beers offer a refreshing blend of beer’s natural flavors with fruity sweetness or tartness. Styles like Cherry Lambic use cherries to create a sweet, tart profile, while Peach Ale brings a softer, juicy finish. These beers often appeal to those looking for lighter, fruit-forward options that complement the core beer characteristics without overwhelming them.

Spiced and seasonal beers

Seasonal beers are crafted to capture the flavors of specific times of the year. Pumpkin ales, for instance, have become a fall favorite, often brewed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove for a comforting, spiced profile.

Similarly, holiday spiced ales combine warming spices with rich malts, which makes them a perfect choice for colder months. These beers highlight how spices can enhance the malty sweetness or roasted aromas, creating a cozy, festive drinking experience.

Discover Your Next Favorite Beer with Us

With so many beer styles to explore—from the crisp bite of pale ales to the rich complexity of dark beers—the journey through craft beer is endless. Each type, whether a fruity sour ale, a bold imperial porter, or a refreshing wheat beer, brings its own unique flavor, inviting us all to dive deeper into the world of craft beer.

New Trail Brewing Co. celebrates this diversity by crafting beers that honor tradition while embracing a fun, adventurous spirit. Visit our Tasting Room to sample a full range of styles, and join us to discover new favorites. Let our team guide you through the vibrant flavors that make every pint an experience.

Come by and see where the journey takes you—there’s always something new on tap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of beer?

The main types of beer are ales and lagers, each of which encompasses many beer styles. Ales, which include popular options like pale ales, brown ales, stouts, and Belgian-style beers, are known for their rich flavors due to top-fermenting yeast and warmer fermentation temperatures.

Lagers, on the other hand, like pale lagers, pilsners, bocks, and dunkels, are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures, producing a clean, crisp taste. In addition, hybrid beers and specialty styles like sour ales add further variety.

What are 12 beers called?

A collection of 12 beers is often referred to as a “12-pack.” These are commonly found in cans or bottles and are perfect for sharing or sampling different beer types, like craft beers, IPAs, or light beers.

Which type of beer is best?

The “best” beer depends on individual taste! Beer enthusiasts may enjoy hop-forward India Pale Ales, while those who prefer malty sweetness might go for a brown ale or bock beer.

For a refreshing, light option, wheat beers and pilsners are popular choices. Experimenting with different popular beer styles is a great way to find your favorite.

What are 24 beers called?

A set of 24 beers is commonly known as a “case.” Cases are perfect for gatherings or for trying out a range of different beer styles, from blonde ales and sour beers to dark ales and pale lagers.