Types of beer

Obviously, if every brewery followed the exact same recipe and method for producing beer, all beer would taste the same. Luckily, there are many different modification possibilites that brewers have come up with to create all of the tasty varieties that we enjoy today. While all descriptions will primarily explain the American version of each brew, I will try to include other countries' versions of the various beers.

Ales are made with barley and top-fermenting yeast and are processed at a very high temperature. Ales can range from pale to very dark. They are full bodied, sweet yet slightly bitter, and have strong, hoppy, flavors. Ales are the most popular beers in England. The different types of ales are produced by utilizing various kinds of barley.

Pale Ales Pale ales, or "bitters" as the Brits like to call them, are made with pale barley malt. Despite their name, pale ales can be very rich in color. Some of the various regional pale ale versions are:

• American Pale Ale - Extremely hoppy and can range from a deep golden to a rich amber in color.
• English Bitters - It is widely theorized that the "bitter" got its name to distinguish it amongst Englands other, less hoppy, beers.
• Irish Red Ale - Irish red ales get their red color from the roasted barley that is used in their recipe.
• India Pale Ale - "IPAs" have a higher alcohol content and usually are very hoppy in flavor in comparison to other pale ales.
• Sasion - Saisons are brewed in Belgium and are fermented in a way that greatly resembles that of red wine.

Brown Ales Brown ales use dark brown barely malt. Brown ales can be mild, sweet, and can vary in their hoppy flavor.

• English Brown Ale - English brown ales have a subtle, sweet flavor and are very smooth. The most recognized English brown ale is Newcastle.
• Belgian Brown Ale - Also refered to as "dubbles," Belgian brown ales originated in the abbeys and were initially only made by monks. Dubbels are quite strong yet fruity.