The Ultimate Guide to Beer Types

What are the different beer types?

1. Ale
2. Lager
3. Porter 
4. Stout

Drinking beer has been a significant part of local traditions. Opening an ice-cold bottle of beer is a great way to celebrate the weekend with workmates, have heart-to-heart talks with friends, and even just bond with family members. Occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and festivals cannot simply pass with ordering cases of beer from any online liquor store in the Philippines. But have you ever thought about the different types of this well-loved alcoholic drink? Continue reading this guide to beer types to learn more! 

Based on the yeast variety during the fermentation process, beer can be broadly categorized into different types. At Clink, we recognize that knowing about the different beer types helps in choosing the right bottle to boost your drinking experiences with friends and family! We offer an extensive product listing of over 100 alcohol brands, including beers such as Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, Smirnoff Mule, Asahi Super Dry, and many more. To help you choose, here is a guide to the beer types.  

Ale

Ale is the oldest type of beer, which dates back to the 17th century in England. What distinguishes ale from other beer types is that its yeasts are fermented in warmer temperatures (about 60°F to 75°F) for a relatively shorter period. During its brewing process, brewers introduce top-fermenting yeasts techniques, which means the yeast floats on the surface while fermenting. 

Ale is a fermented malt beer that is marked by a sweet and fruity yet full-bodied taste. The fermentation process gives the drink a strong aroma from hops. There are a wide variety of Ales such as the following:

• Pale Ale - A popular type of ale known for its golden to amber color and a hoppy fruity scent. Don’t let its name fool you! Brewed with pale malt and ale yeast, it is a medium-strength beer with a balance of malt and hops. This makes it ideal for pairing with spicy foods. Pale ales originated from England, and the approachable style sparked its entry into the American craft beer scene. 
• India Pale Ale (IPA) - A beer type that boasts a strong hop bitterness compared to pale ales. As this beer type employs an increased amount of hops throughout the brewing process, the flavor profiles of IPAs can be different for every person — they can come off with chocolate-tinged, spicy, floral, or even fruity notes. These beers also have high alcohol content. IPAs can be further sub-categorized into English-style IPA, which retains a balance of earthy hop and malt notes and has increased bitterness, and American IPA, which are floral and fruity beers. 
• Sour Ale - Sour ales are fermented using wild yeasts much like sourdough bread. These beers are known for their tarty flavors and low alcohol content. 

Lager

Lagers are the most widely drank beer across the world. They are your light and approachable beer that are less boozy. In general, the yeast of lager beer is fermented in cooler temperatures (about 42°F to 55°F) for a longer period through bottom-fermenting techniques. The beer’s yeasts offer a clean and crisp flavor that perfectly showcases its grains and hops. Some of the most famous Lager beers include Budweiser, Busch Lite, Coors, Miller Genuine Draft, and Pabst Blue Ribbon. 

Porter

Porters are types of beers that originated in England and they are known for their deep ruby brown to black color. They also often leave chocolate, coffee, caramel yet dry flavors on the palate, which is determined by the roasted malt used during the brewing process. Posters also leave strong roasted malt scents on the nose.  

Porters have a complex combination of mild flavors, so they are often drunk neat. Nonetheless, you can also pair your porter beer with almost any meat dish and a variety of cheeses and desserts.

Stout

Stouts are dark and top-fermented beers that are highly similar to porters because they leave chocolate notes. The main difference, however, is stouts lean into a very dark, bitter, and creamy ale, while porters have a substantial, malty dark ale with a complex and flavorful roast character. 

For a beer to be considered stout, its flavor and scent should be rich and full. The mouthfeel should be silky and creamy. The complexity of this beer makes it excellent for pairing with a wide variety of food such as chocolate, meat, and oysters.   

Key Takeaway

Drinking beer is one of the best ways to level up your every occasion — whether it may be a birthday, wedding, festival, or just a quick hangout with friends and family! So before you make a purchasing decision, refer to this guide to beer types to choose the bottle that will satisfy your palate. 

If you want to order beer delivery in the Philippines, Clink is your alcohol delivery store go-to! Clink is the leading online liquor store in the Philippines committed to distributing local and imported beer bottles nationwide. We offer an extensive product listing of alcohol brands at affordable prices. 

Click here to start shopping for your favorite beers today!