At our first meet and greet event, the group was given a prompt to see what type of beer they would be personified in a glass of craft beer.

The most common types of beer fall into two broad categories: ales and lagers, differentiated by the type of yeast and fermentation process used to brew them. Each style has its unique variations depending on the brewer's creativity, local ingredients, and traditional techniques. If you're exploring craft beer, these categories offer a great starting point!

If you were a beer, how would you describe yourself?


Here’s the playful personification of each beer style as a type of person…

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Ales

Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, resulting in a complex, flavorful, and aromatic profile.

  1. Pale Ale Medium-bodied, balanced bitterness, and fruity or floral hop flavors.
  2. India Pale Ale (IPA) Hoppy and bitter with citrus, pine, or floral flavors.
  3. Porter Dark, rich, and malty with notes of chocolate or coffee.
  4. Stout Very dark and full-bodied with roasted flavors, often featuring coffee, chocolate, or oatmeal notes.
  5. Wheat Beer Light, refreshing, and slightly hazy, often with citrus or spice notes.
  6. Belgian Ale Fruity, spicy, and complex, with a higher alcohol content.

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Lagers

Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast and are brewed at cooler temperatures, resulting in clean, crisp, and smooth beers.

  1. Pilsner Light-bodied, crisp, and refreshing with a balanced hop bitterness.
  2. Helles Lager Slightly malt-forward, less hoppy than a pilsner, with a smooth finish.
  3. Dunkel Dark lager with toasty malt flavors and a smooth, sweet finish.
  4. Bock Rich, malty, and slightly sweet with varying strength levels.
  5. American Lager Light, crisp, and easy-drinking, often lower in alcohol.

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Hybrid Styles and Others

Some styles blur the lines between ale and lager or are brewed with unique techniques

  1. Kölsch Light and refreshing with a hint of fruitiness and a clean finish.
  2. Amber Ale/Lager Balanced maltiness with caramel and toasty flavors.
  3. Sour Beers Tart and tangy, often brewed with wild yeast or bacteria.
  4. Farmhouse Ale/Saison Dry, spicy, and fruity with earthy undertones.

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