Ale
Ales are fermented with top-fermenting yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at warmer temperatures, roughly 15–24 °C. The yeast works fast and leaves fruity esters and a fuller body: think of a British bitter, a Belgian tripel or an American IPA.
Ale styles
American IPA
AleAmerican IPA: a strong, bitter pale ale built around American hops, from citrus and pine to tropical fruit. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Irish Dry Stout
AleIrish dry stout: a black, roasty, bitter ale with a coffee note and a creamy head on draught, the style of Guinness. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Belgian Tripel
AleBelgian Tripel: a strong, pale, dry abbey ale with spicy yeast and fruity notes, made famous by Westmalle. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Hazy IPA (New England IPA)
AleHazy IPA, or New England IPA: a soft, juicy, hazy IPA bursting with tropical fruit from late hops, with low bitterness. Strength, glass and how it is made.
Weissbier
AleWeissbier (Hefeweizen): a pale, cloudy Bavarian wheat beer with banana and clove from its yeast and a huge fluffy head. Strength, bitterness, glass and examples.
Witbier
AleWitbier: a hazy, pale Belgian wheat beer spiced with coriander and orange peel, revived by Pierre Celis in 1966. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Belgian Dark Strong Ale (Quadrupel)
AleBelgian dark strong ale, or quad: a strong, rich abbey ale of dark fruit and spice, the style of Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10. Strength, glass and examples.
Belgian Dubbel
AleBelgian Dubbel: a reddish-copper abbey ale with rich malt, dried fruit and a dry finish, first brewed at Westmalle in 1922. Strength, bitterness, glass and examples.
Imperial Stout
AleImperial stout: a strong, black, roasty stout with dark fruit and a warming finish, born as an export to the Russian court. Strength, glass and classic examples.
Saison
AleSaison: a dry, fizzy, peppery farmhouse ale from Wallonia, in table, standard and super strength. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Belgian Blond Ale
AleBelgian Blond: a golden, smooth, moderately strong ale with soft spice from its yeast, popularised by Leffe after the Second World War. Strength, bitterness, glass and examples.
Best Bitter
AleBest Bitter: the English session ale of the pub, amber to copper, malty and bitter, served from the cask at cellar temperature. Strength, glass and classic examples.
English Porter
AleEnglish porter: a dark brown London ale with chocolate, caramel and soft roast, the beer of 18th-century London. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Strong Bitter (ESB)
AleStrong bitter and ESB: the fuller, stronger English bitter, amber to copper, with more malt and hops. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
English Barleywine
AleEnglish barleywine: the richest and strongest English ale, malty and fruity, first called a barley wine by Bass in 1872. Strength, bitterness, glass and examples.
American Brown Ale
AleAmerican brown ale: a malty, hoppy brown ale with chocolate and caramel and American hops. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.
Wee Heavy (Scotch Ale)
AleWee heavy, or strong Scotch ale: a rich, sweet, malty Scottish ale of caramel and toffee, full and warming. Strength, bitterness, glass and classic examples.