Beer 101 | Types of Beer There are two main types of beer that you need to know: ales and lagers, All beer is made from four basic ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. The only difference between ales and lagers is the type of yeast used.
Pale Lager : This is the most popular type of lager, boasting a lighter color and body. These are highly carbonated and have a much lighter taste Examples: Budweiser, Heineken, and Stella Artois Pilsner : The Pilsner was first created in the 1840s in Plzen, Czechoslovakia. It is similar to the Pale Lager in color, but is much more bitter. Examples: Pilsner Urquell, Dos Equis, Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager Light Lager : This is typically a beer that contains less hops and barley in an attempt to make a low calorie beer. Examples: Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Coors Light Dark Lager : Dark Lagers are much more full-bodied and flavorful. They are typically very malty with a gentle hops flavor. Examples: Guiness Black Lager, Michelob Dark, Heineken Dark Lager
Ales Ales are the oldest types of beer and have been around for thousands of years. Ales are made using top-fermenting yeast and are fermented at warmer temperatures around 65-76 degrees F.
Pale Ale : This type of beer is made with gently roasted barley and pale malt. It is a bitter and spicy brew. Examples: Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale, Samuel Adams Boston Ale, Newcastle Founders’ Ale Brown Ale : Brown Ale ranges from dark amber to copper in color and contains a higher level of malt. These beers are mild in flavor and tastes range from sweet to hoppy to earthy. Examples: Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale, Newcastle Brown Ale, Imperial Nut Brown Ale Porter : Porters are very dark beers that are nearly opaque. These are made with roasted malt or barley and some even taste like chocolate. Examples: Sierra Nevada Porter, Smoked Porter, Fuller’s London Porter Stout : Stouts are the darkest and thickest type of beer and are typically made with highly roasted malt or barley. These beers have a thick, creamy head and are very full-bodied. Examples: Guiness Extra Stout, Highland Black Mocha Stout, Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
: Beer 101 | Types of Beer
Contents
What is the dark beer called?
Dark lager – or black lager – is a term used to describe beers that are dark in colour, but brewed with lager yeasts. Originating from Europe, dark lagers can vary quite a bit in strength and profile. In Germany, they go by a few different guises, like dunkel, bock or schwarzbier.
- In Spain and Mexico, they are known as negras and tend to be produced by large breweries as an alternative to their flagship lager beers.
- One thing that all dark lagers share in common is that they are deceptively drinkable.
- They tend of be a little lower in alcohol and unlike other dark beers, the use of lager yeast creates a bright and vibrant finish, which delivers instant refreshment when served icy cold.
Imagine a roasted coffee aroma, with chocolate and a wisp of smoke, but cut with a refreshingly vibrant lager finish.
What is the darkest and strongest beer?
Product Description – Brewmeister Snake Venom is currently recognised as the strongest beer in the World. It is brewed in Moray from smoked, peated malt using two varieties of yeast, one beer and one Champagne. Like other ultra high strength beers it is frozen several times after the fermentation process, and the ice crystals removed.
This concentrates the alcohol, flavour, and body of the beer as water is removed each time. The beer is then fortified with alcohol to increase the strength further. The result is a powerful, viscous, intensely flavoured beer that should be treated more like a spirit with regards to its consumption. There is no carbonation as the liquid is too thick to hold carbon dioxide bubbles.
Due to its high ABV, the manufacturer has issued the following warning: !! WARNING !! This beer is not for the feint-hearted, it is recommended to enjoy in small doses of 35ml measures. We are not responsible for the risks you may take and don’t encourage you to be the hard man! At 67.5% ABV, Snake Venom is officially the world’s strongest beer.
What does darkest beer mean?
What Is Dark Beer? – 
In general, dark beers cover a decidedly wide range of the definition of ‘dark’, since they go from the well-known ebony stouts like Guinness, all the way through to Schwarzbier and even amber-hued options like the beloved German Dunkles. In general, dark beers are known as the richer, more filling beer option in comparison to light beers, which are known for being more thirst-quenching.
The dark colour comes from the beer’s brewing process and for those concerned, put your mind at ease as it’s definitely 100% natural – with no additives required to achieve the varying shades. The roasted malts perfectly combine the amino acids, sugars, and other grains together to achieve a rich, dark colour.
Much like everyone’s beloved caffeinated morning brew, the darker the roast, the more potent the brew will be. Beers that have a deeper, darker colour to them have usually had a longer roast, a longer brew process, or have been barrel-aged, which adds subtle flavours like fudge, caramel, coffee, and chocolate to the final product.
What beer is darker than a stout?
Appearance – Stout and porter beers vary slightly in color. Stouts are black, while porters are dark brown. Though there is a slight difference, it is difficult to tell them apart visually as they look very similar.
What beer is black?
Schwarzbier Schwarzbier Schwarzbier, black beer, is a that originated in, It has an opaque, black colour with hints of chocolate or coffee flavours, and is generally around 5% ABV. It is similar to in that it is made from roasted malt, which gives it its dark colour.
Is a stout a dark beer?
stout, dark, heavy-bodied beer popular in Great Britain and Ireland, Stouts are stronger versions of mild ale, There are various types, including oatmeal stout, milk stout, and imperial stout. Popular stouts have included the so-called dry Irish stouts, notably Guinness, 
Britannica Quiz Beer and Brewing Today the distinction between stout and porter remains unclear. Some brewers may distinguish stout from porter on the basis of dryness, in which the stout is made with unmalted roasted barley (as opposed to malted roasted barley for a porter), or sweetness, in which the stout is made with lactose (as in milk stout).
However, some stout recipes incorporate malted roasts. Moreover, variations on these themes, such as the addition of oats during brewing (oatmeal stout) or the use of very dark malt (chocolate stout), which impart characteristics such as smoothness or flavours and aromas of chocolate, may also be found in porter recipes.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers,
Is Belgian ale dark?
Belgian Dark Ale is a broad term for all Belgian dark beers that fall somewhere between a Belgian-style Dubbel and Belgian Strong Dark Ale. The brew ranges in color from amber to light brown some even considered a deep garnet color.
What is dark Belgian beer?
The Belgian Strong Dark Ale is a dark, complex, strong Belgian ale with a delicious blend of malt richness, dark fruit flavors, and spicy elements. Like a larger dubbel, with a fuller body and increased malt richness. Not as bitter or hoppy as a tripel, but of similar strength.
What is the darkest lager?
Schwarzbier lager comes from the Thuringia area to the east of Frankfurt. ‘Schwarzbier’ means black in German and refers to the very dark color of the beer. These beers have a slightly bitter taste with a smooth roasted malt flavor and a low alcohol content.
Is Guinness a dark stout?
Yes, Guinness is the world’s most popular stout. A stout is a category of beer which is best known for its rich, dark color and distinctive creamy head.
Is lager a darker beer?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lager () is beer which has been brewed and conditioned at low temperature. Lagers can be pale, amber, or dark, Pale lager is the most widely consumed and commercially available style of beer. The term “lager” comes from the German for “storage”, as the beer was stored before drinking, traditionally in the same cool caves in which it was fermented.
Is Guinness a lighter beer?
I reland, four-leaf clovers, and the color green probably come to mind when you think of St. Patrick’s Day. Oh, and beer. Lots and lots of beer. And since Guinness is perhaps the most popular Irish beer brand in the world, chances are your local watering hole will be offering specials on it come March 17.
- Want to impress your friends? Buy them a round, and then set them straight on these common myths about the black brew.
- Myth: It’s black In fact, Guinness, a stout beer, is neither black nor dark brown.
- If you look closely and in the right light you can see that it’s really a very dark red that is the result of things that happen to the grains during processing.
Myth: Guinness is high in alcohol Guinness isn’t boozier than most other beers. In fact, it contains less alcohol by volume than a typical draught. An average beer contains 5% ABV, while Guinness clocks in at just 4.2%. So this St. Paddy’s Day, Guinness is a smart choice if you’re feeling festive but you want to take it easy (the holiday does fall on Monday, after all).
Health.com: 7 Ways to Keep Alcohol from Ruining Your Diet Myth: Guinness is high in calories Guinness, a stout-style brew, is known for its creamy texture, dark color, and rich, caramel-tinged flavor. That means it must be high in calories, right? Not so fast. A 12-ounce serving of Guinness sets you back 125 calories—just 15 more than the same serving of Bud Light.
Alcohol is beer’s main calorie source, and since Guinness is just 4.2% ABV, it’s relatively low in calories. The dark color and sweetness come from small amounts of roasted barley used in the brewing process. And that thick, creamy texture? Most beers are carbonated with carbon dioxide, but Guinness uses a mix of CO2 and nitrogen.
Nitrogen bubbles are smaller than CO2 bubbles, which produces a smoother “mouthfeel,” as beer nerds call it. Health.com: The 18 Best Snacks for Weight Loss Myth: “Guinness is Good for You” This one’s more of a half-myth. “Guinness is Good for You” was born as a catchy marketing slogan in the late 1920s, and wasn’t based on any scientific proof that drinking beer actually had any health benefits.
Today, some experts actually do believe that moderate alcohol consumption (including beer, wine, and spirits) could be good for you. Dozens of studies have shown an association between moderate drinking—that’s one drink a day for women, two for men—and a reduction in the risk of heart attack or dying of cardiovascular disease.
And other research suggests that light drinkers gain less weight in middle age than those who abstain. At the same time, however, other studies have shown a correlation between moderate alcohol consumption and increased risk of breast cancer. And of course, excessive drinking causes a slew of other health problems including liver damage, several types of cancer, and decreased brain function.
Bottom line : Go ahead and have a Guinness or two. But if you want to improve your health, you’d probably be better off eating something green, like kale or spinach, rather than downing a few too many pints. This article originally appeared on Health.com.
Is Stella a dark beer?
This limited release dark lager has a light to medium body, balanced drinkability, 5.4 % ABV and surprisingly crisp, dry finish that helps make the season feel original again.
Do Germans drink dark beer?
Dark beer is one of the most famous kinds of German-style beers.
Why is stout so dark?
The Anatomy of a Stout 
If you’ve recently been feeling tempted to wander over to the ‘dark side’ of beer, you may be interested to find out a thing or two about stouts. This misinterpreted brew has distinct coloring and rich flavor, not to mention a fascinating history behind it.
With many different styles and characteristics, there is a lot to know about stouts, and we have all the information you need before you begin taste-testing. A Rich History In the late 1600’s, ‘stout’- was first recorded as describing a strong or heavy beer and the term became common when describing high alcohol content porters.
Porters – referred to dark ales that were typically richer than other ales, with hints of chocolate, coffee, or syrup. Soon, the two were combined to create porter stouts, or darker and heavier versions of a chocolaty coffee-like beer. As the variety of stouts grew, however, the term porter was detached allowing the stout to stand in a category of its own.
- Stouts also have a history of being used for medicinal purposes.
- Based on their high iron content, it wasn’t unusual for people to be given a stout after donating blood.
- In fact, up until the early 1900’s, doctors were known for prescribing stouts to nursing mothers.
- No More Doubts About Stouts Stouts are easily recognized by their deep brown or black coloring, smooth, chocolaty taste and thick consistency.
Although beer drinkers usually know what to expect when you offer them a stout, there are also some common misconceptions about them. Beer drinkers tend to think the darker the beer the higher the alcohol content, however this isn’t usually the case. Additionally, people assume that stouts have more carbohydrates than lagers but that too is false.
This misunderstanding comes from the rich flavors that engulf the taste buds and trick us into thinking we’re drinking something a lot heavier. The Makings of a Stout So how do stouts get this rich flavor? Well, it’s all in the ingredients. Just like other beers stouts are comprised of the classic four ingredients: malted barley, water, hops and yeast.
However, it’s how these ingredients are brewed that differentiates a stout from other beers. The barley is what’s attributed to the defining characteristic of a stout: it’s dark coffee color. Roasted barley, in combination with chocolate malts, give the beer its appearance and rich flavor.
Why is Irish beer dark?
It’s All About Water – The water in Ireland may have played the biggest role in the development of their classic beer styles. After experimentation, the Irish realized beer brewed with dark malts was most palatable. We know now that’s because the dark malts can bring the pH level of water down to a more desirable level.
Why are some beers Dark?
The Roasting Process – The more you roast the malt you use in your beer, the darker its color. This process is also called the Maillard Reaction or “browning.” Generally, it starts with kilning, or heating, the germinated barley. During this step, the brewer determines the temperature of the kiln, which affects the final color of the beer.
Is dark beer called stout?
What is the Difference Between a Stout and a Porter? Stouts and porters are both dark beers. Both types of beer have so many similarities that many beer drinkers have little preference for one over the other. In fact, it may be impossible to tell by drinking an unmarked glass whether it belongs in the stout or porter category.
What is strong dark beer called?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A “double oat malt stout” Stout is a dark, top-fermented beer with a number of variations, including dry stout, oatmeal stout, milk stout, and imperial stout, The first known use of the word stout for beer, in a document dated 1677 found in the Egerton Manuscripts, referred to its strength,
