Beer is the staple of any good drinking party. It’s cheap, easily available, and by and large, very popular. People who’ve never tried it may wonder what beer tastes like? And this is a valid question.
Beer isn’t only widespread throughout the world; it comes in so many varieties that even those who don’t like it can probably find one to suit their taste.
Let’s take a brief look into the world of beer, lagers and ales, and discover the wide range of tastes that these beverages have.
A Range of Flavors
Different types of beer each have their own particular flavors. If you’re trying to answer the question of what beer tastes like, it’s best to know the type of beer you’re trying to classify. Some beers taste bitter, and have a strong, sharp flavor.
Others are sweet with a hint of caramel and toasted grain. Different production methods, along with different types of ingredients gives beer a variety of tastes.
Even beers made with the same ingredients may differ in flavor with each other depending on how long they’re fermented.
Even the type of yeast used can change how a beer will eventually taste.
The Different Classes of Beer
So, what does beer taste like? To find that out, first know what kind of beer it is. The different classes of beer are as follows:
The two main classifications of beer are lagers and ales. These are determined by the type of yeast that is used to ferment the beer.
When the yeast used starts fermentation at the bottom of the still, then the type of beer is a lager. If the yeast starts fermenting from the top, then it’s considered an ale. Yeasts that ferment the beer equally make sour or wild ales.
From here, aroma, flavors, and colors separate each type into further categories. Within those, even more blends are possible. Here are some of the more popular beer types available:
Pale Lager and Pilsners
These are golden-colored beers that are known for their light aroma and flavor. Their lower alcohol content makes them popular for drinking parties and are best served at around 40° F. Pale lagers can be further classified as:
American Lager
Light gold in color, with mild flavor and low alcohol content. It ranges from 3.2% to 4% alcohol by volume.
German Pilsner
Pale gold in color, with a slightly bitter, and nutty flavor. They range from 4.6% to 5.3% alcohol by volume.
Dark Lagers
These are amber colored beers, with a nutty, smooth flavor, with notes of toasted caramel. They have mid-range alcohol levels, and aren’t as bitter as other beer types. Best served at around 45° F.
Amber American Lager
A dark amber beer, with smooth caramel flavor. It ranges from 4.8% to 5.4% alcohol by volume.
Oktoberfest
Dark copper in color, with a full-bodied rich flavor. It ranges from 5.1% to 6% alcohol by volume.
Brown Ales
These beers feature a toasted caramel flavor, with slight hint of nuttiness from the malts used to brew them, and medium bitterness from the hops. They have mid-tier alcohol content. Best served at around 45° F.
American Brown Ale
Dark caramel in color, with a very nutty flavor. It ranges from 4.2% to 6.3% alcohol by volume.
English Brown Ale
Dark caramel in color, with a nutty flavor with hints of caramel. It ranges from 4% to 5.5% alcohol by volume.
Pale Ales
Slightly bitter ales, with generally lower alcohol content. They’re best served at around 40° to 45° F.
American Amber Ale
Amber colored pale ale, with a hint of caramel and slightly nutty flavor. Ranges from 4.4% to 6.1% alcohol by volume.
American Pale Ale
Light copper in color, with a medium body, and noticeable bitter flavor. Ranges from 4.4% to 5.4% alcohol by volume.
India Pale Ales
These ales are quite bitter, with floral hints. These types of ales have higher alcohol content than other beers.
American IPA
Light amber colored beer, with noticeably bitter flavor. Ranges from 6.3% to 7.5% alcohol by volume.
Imperial IPA
Slightly darker amber color, with considerable bitterness, and higher alcohol content. Ranges from 7% to 14% alcohol by volume.
Porters
Dark in color with flavors that are similar to caramel, coffee, or chocolate. These are best served at around 45° to 50° F.
American Imperial Porter
A dark brown beer, with a nutty sweet flavor. It ranges from 7% to 12% alcohol by volume.
English Brown Porter
Similar to the American, but less sweet, with lower alcohol content. Ranges from 4.5% to 6% alcohol by volume.
Stouts
Very dark beers that have a noticeable roasted flavor. These are best served at around 45° F.
American Stout
A dark brown, almost coffee colored beer, with a strong nutty flavor without the strong bitterness. It ranges from 5.7% to 8.9% alcohol by volume.
American Imperial Stout
A beer with a deep dark color, with a very pronounced nutty flavor. Ranges from 7% to 12% alcohol by volume.
No Straightforward Answer
With the large range of beers available, answering the question of what does beer taste like isn’t as straightforward as one would assume.
Most people that drink beer don’t even realize that their favorite drink comes in different types and flavors.
If you ever come across a beer that you’ve never tasted before, go ahead and give it a try. The taste might just surprise you.