Perhaps sipping beer at the local tap room with friends is a favorite pastime of yours, or you love drinking a cold brew on a hot summer day. No matter how you enjoy suds, most brew drinkers want to expand their palate after a while. The following guide offers a crash course in different beer types so you can familiarize yourself with the options before ordering the next round. 

3 Different Types of Beer Explained

1. Pale Ale

Try pale ales if you enjoy brews with fruity kicks. The copper-colored, medium-light to medium-bodied ale is not overly malty or hoppy and comes in English, American, and Belgian styles. American ales have more intense hop and bitter flavors than English and Belgian versions, with all pale ales known for smooth finishes that pair well with most foods. The brew’s mildly bitter, refreshing taste provides a particularly nice contrast to rich foods like fried and spicy fare. 

2. Stout

Enjoy a stout if bitter brews do not appeal to you. Stouts are the darkest beers and get their rich colors from well-roasted malts. They come in several forms, including relatively sweet milk stouts made with lactose. Because yeast does not turn lactose into alcohol during fermentation processes, milk stouts are exceptionally smooth, full-bodied options. Other stout selections include oatmeal and chocolate varieties made with the whole grain and sweet treat, respectively, and dry stouts like the classic Irish version. Stouts of all kinds pair well with stews, roasts, and desserts because they intensify the foods’ hearty and sweet flavors. 

3. Red Ale

Order a red ale during your next outing if you desire something richer than a pale ale or a drink that’s more malty than sweet. Red ales typically feature caramel, coffee, or dried fruit flavors due to specially-roasted malts that also account for their color. These ales subsequently set themselves apart from golden American ales that are hoppier with drier finishes. Pair the toasty, mildly-fruity brew with cheese, grilled chicken and turkey sandwiches, and other light fare that won’t overpower the beer’s flavor and aroma. 

Enjoy trying new ales and stouts at Books & Brews, the Brownsburg, IN-based bar and used bookstore beloved by area residents. Grab a beer and bite to eat here any day of the week, and consider joining the Mug Club for fantastic discounts on suds and merchandise. Call (317) 456-4216 for questions about daily specials, or visit the website for the latest brews on tap. Connect on Facebook to stay updated about specials and events.