Just imagine, there are over 8,000 craft breweries in the United States alone. It goes on to prove that craft beer is bigger than ever. Let’s break down the most popular beer types here so that you can make recommendations, brew your own styles, and talk about craft beer like a pro. To begin with, how many types of beer are there?

Lagers were first introduced around the turn of the 16th-century. All beers were ales until that time. However, the beer market the world over is now famous for producing ales, lagers, and great pilsners.

What is an Ale?

Ale is a particular style of beer that is most basic. It is defined by the yeast used during the fermentation procedure. Ales as noted by fruit flavors tend to be more flavorful. Lagers, in comparison, tend to be crisper.

Moreover, there are many popular sub-styles in the category of Ales. The most popular beer brands in the market today include pale ales, stouts, porters,​ and wheat beers.

Ales are commonly brewed using yeast. These tend to gather or flocculate at the top of the fermentation tank during the brewing procedure. Lagers typically use a bottom-fermenting yeast that finally produces a crisper flavor in beer. It is the main difference between an ale and lager.

Top-fermenting yeasts producing ales prefer warmer temperatures, which are generally between 15 to 22 C. Lager yeasts typically react best at temperatures 20 degrees C or colder.

Most beers do not require aging. Ales are even better when they are aged or unaged for a short time. It is usually no more than a few weeks while Ales undergo aging.

Characteristics of an Ale

There are more styles of ale than there are of lager. Ale as a beer category has a few common characteristics.

• Ales are complex beers that tend to be more robust, and flavorful.
• Ales tend to be more aromatic, and fruitier.
• Many styles of ales have a stronger IBU or bitter note.

How to Serve an Ale?

There are too many styles of ale to warrant a common recommendation. However, Ales are best when served closer to room temperature. There is a trend though. The lighter the ale in both color and flavor, the colder it should be served.

Nevertheless, it is always best to go with your gut and go with the temperature that best suits your personal taste when deciding how cold you should serve a beer.

What Beer Types are Considered Lagers?

Lagers are typically made with bottom-fermenting yeast that has a lower tolerance to alcohol. Lagers taste light and a little malty. They are a new entry point for new beer drinkers. Classic lagers in America include Budweiser, Yuengling, Coors, Busch Lite, and Miller High Life.

Lagers are the most common type of beer in the world. They are crisp and refreshing. However, lagers constitute a surprisingly diverse group. Their style goes far beyond big names and includes all of the great Bavarian pilsners, as well as dunkels, bocks, and Oktoberfest.

Difference Between Lager & Ale

Lagers are primarily defined as bottom-fermented beer. Yeasts used for fermenting lager beer gather at the bottom of the fermentation tank. Ales are top-fermenting and just the opposite. And yeasts used for fermenting ale flocculate on the top of the fermenting tank.

Yeasts used for lager also tolerate much lower temperatures when compared to yeasts that are used for ales. Yeasts used for lager typically ferment between 45 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit. These lower temperatures normally reduce the number of by-products formed during the fermentation stage. Eventually, the procedure also produces a cleaner and crisper beer.

Lagers being more tolerant can handle longer aging times as compared to ales. The process is called ‘lagering.’ Lager beers can be aged for months at much lower cellar temperatures between 54 – 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lagers are a younger style of beer that was discovered in 1000 A.D. only when hops were introduced to brewed alcoholic beverages. Until then only ales were primarily produced. Lagers were accidentally discovered in the 1500s. It was found that storing brews made with cold-resistant yeast for a month produced a crisper beer in a historical lager-brewing region like Bavaria. Even the famous hoppy German pilsners are a 19th-century discovery and lagers are not much older than that.

Lagers group of beers are tighter than ales. But there are countless styles of ale. However, there are only a few styles within the lager group of beer. The characteristics of a lager generally include a lighter and crispy taste that is quite smooth and mellow. They also are less bitter and tend to have more carbonation than ales. However, some lagers are quite disparate. 

Bocks have a great barley flavor. They range from amber to dark brown in color. While Oktoberfest and dunkels are known for their malty flavors.

• Styles: Lager is a brewing technique that includes many styles of beer from dark to pale and sweet to malty. They are diverse and there is a lager style to suit the taste of beer drinkers.
• Dunkel: It is the word in German for ‘dark’. It is also a classic pub beer from Bavaria. Specifically in the Munich area. It is the original lager style of beer made with dark roasted malts. Dunkel comes with a red-tinted color ranging from amber to mahogany. Its flavors generally include bread, coffee, nuts, and chocolate. It is marked with a delicate hoppiness and the characteristic lager crispness. The bitterness and alcohol content is relatively low in Dunkel.
• Schwarzbier: Schwarzbier is another dark German lager. It originates from the eastern state of Thuringia. It is a rarer style. And is characteristically dark chestnut to ruby-black in color alongside a complex taste. Schwarzbier features licorice, bitter chocolate, and roasted malts. It has mild bitterness, low alcohol content, and a dry, smooth finish.
• Czech Lager: Czech lagers are diverse. They enjoy a tradition as rich as German beers. These lagers are quite rare outside of Europe, Czech lagers are graded by color and alcohol content. The dark tmavé, the pale světlé, the black černé, and the amber polotmavé, are all pilsners. The alcohol content in Czech lagers usually ranges from 3 to 9 percent ABV. However, the country measures and expresses strength in degrees using the Plato scale.
• Pilsner: It is a pale beer. Pilsners define the essence of a lager. While German pilsners use delicate and spicy hops, Czech pilsners use floor-malted barley. The German variety produces a thin and light-colored beer that tastes ‘cleaner,’ while the Czech pilsners are golden and full-bodied. However, both pilsners are noted for their delicate bitterness, low-range alcohol content, and refreshing crispness.
• Helles: ‘Helles’ or ‘Hell’. These beers are ‘bright’ or ‘pale’ in appearance. With more emphasis on a soft malt flavor, lagers are quite similar to pilsners. However, with a light hop profile, the southern German pale lager is golden along with a mildly sweet, full body. It is low in bitterness and low in alcohol as well.
• Amber Lager: Märzenbier or March beer is the most famous among the amber lagers. It is well-known as Oktoberfest. Amber lager beers are simultaneously sweet and crisp. It is a characteristic of a specific blend of hops. Munich-derived märzens are similar to Vienna lagers that use a lightly roasted malt. However, most Amber lagers are brewed in North America today including the popular Sam Adams Boston Lager and Dos Equis. Averaging around 5% ABV, Amber lagers tend to be slightly stronger than other lagers.
• Bock: Bocks are German sipping beers. They are strong, malty, and warming, However, a number of sub-styles like the light-colored and creamy maibocks, or the pale or Helles bocks, the dark and rich doppelbocks, and sweeter, almost chocolaty, dark, and American bocks are included in this group. Bocks are mostly at least 6 percent ABV. But also reach 10 percent in some brands. With an average of 9 to 13 percent ABV due to freeze-distillation, Eisbock is the strongest and most flavorful sipping beer in the world market today.
• Mass-Market Lager: ‘Mass-Market Lager’ in general terms describes easy-drinking pilsners. These are adapted to appeal to the masses. They are golden in color. However, the white head remains. These lagers don’t have the hoppy flavor or full body of a pilsner. Moreover, the product is often simply labeled as ‘lager’ and is produced worldwide. Most of the big names in this beer style, such as Pabst Blue Ribbon, Budweiser, Stella Artois, Sapporo, Pacifico, Beck’s, Foster’s, and Heineken.

How to Serve Lager?

Lagers are generally recommended to serve cold. Few exceptions however include bocks that are often best served closer to room temperature.

Mass-brewed beers and dark lagers are commonly served in a mug or pint glass. Pilsners are usually served in a pilsner glass. Amber lagers and Helles are frequently poured into steins. A stemmed goblet called ‘pokal’ is the traditional way of serving bocks. Tilt the glass to a 45-degree angle while serving all lagers and pour slowly to produce a head that’s just about two fingers tall.

Food Pairings With Lagers

Lagers are an excellent choice for food pairings. The most versatile and best options are amber lagers that particularly go well with burgers, pizza, and other pub favorites. Mexican fare, hearty chilis, beef stroganoff, roasted chicken, and even cheese and macaroni go well with lagers. 

Pilsner and other pale lagers are perfect for light foods. Including herb chicken, salads, or pasta dishes. They are a great choice with German favorites as well. However, they are not great for desserts with the likes of schnitzel and bratwurst.

Bocks are a fabulous choice that goes well with chocolate desserts and spicy foods. Most American lagers are famous for accompanying barbecue classics. The other big-name lagers are ideal with food from their country of origin. Try serving Mexican lagers with tacos or burritos. Japanese lagers pair well with tempura, while Italian lagers with pasta.

Best Lager Brands

There are simply too many lager brands to find a place in an article. However, these are among some of the best-known brands that have not been mentioned above.

• New Belgium Fat Tire
• Pilsner Urquell
• Anchor Bock
• Paulaner Oktoberfest
• Yuengling
• Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell
• Lagunitas Pils
• Peroni
• Shiner Bock
• Sprecher Mai Bock

Hybrid Beers

Hybrid Beers are born out of creativity or necessity. Sometimes they are half lagers, half ales, or half ales, half lagers. They are a unique category either way. And end up straddling the line separating the two worlds of beer. 

Undoubtedly, hybrid beers are a good choice for brewers. Especially for the ones who don’t have the ability to lager. Since lagers usually require refrigeration during the second phase of production. However, some hybrid-style yeasts can also ferment well into the ale yeast temperature range. And still, retain cleanness and lager characteristics.

Nevertheless, hybrid beers do not follow conventional thought. They are least concerned about whether the beer is either a lager or an ale. Hybrids instead borrow brewing practices from both types of beer. They are both. A little ale and a little lager. 

A beer fermented with ale yeast may be held at cooler temperatures commonly reserved for lagers. Or a beer made using lager yeast may be quickly brewed and kept warm as an ale. Both these brewing techniques impart the characteristics of hybrid beer categories to create unclassified unique styles. Altbier, kolsch, cream ale, and steam beer, and are the most common examples of hybrid beers.

Difference Between Ales, Lagers & Hybrid Beers

Lagers and ales are differentiated by the type of yeast used and the required fermentation temperatures. Lagers are fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast that is active at cooler temperatures. They are also held for weeks, or months, at cooler temperatures after the fermentation process known as ‘Lagering.’ Ales on the other hand are fermented at warmer temperatures. They are subsequently packaged or served shortly after the fermentation process is over.

The yeast eventually determines whether a beer is a lager or an ale. Moreover, the brewing methods are commonly exclusive to either lagers or ales. The specific techniques in most cases enhance the flavor and quality of the beer style. However, they do not change the classification of the beer.

Hybrid beers take more of a freestyle approach. Some so-called hybrids are quite old. Each style has customary techniques in comparison to the conventional brewing methods. It is a matter of choice that hybrid beers use lager or ale yeast and brewing methods, or a combination of the two. 

Although ‘Hybrid’ really is not the right word to use to describe these beers since there are many different ways to brew this style of beer. Nevertheless, they are all correct as long as you get beer in the end. The ‘Hybrid’ moniker is simply a convenient way. It is only meant to classify this type of beer that does not fit into any one of the two main categories.

Styles of Hybrid Beer

Few hybrid beer styles are brewed with methods common to lager brewing. Most are fermented with ale yeast. Here are some styles that are commonly referred to as hybrid styles of beer.

• Altbier: The word ‘Alt’ means old. Altbier is a style that is commonly brewed in Düsseldorf, Germany. Altbier is fermented using warm ale yeast. It is then aged in cold temperatures like a lager. However, Altbier predates lager brewing methods. Available water supply in the area gives this hybrid beer a minerality that complements the malty flavors and bitterness of the amber-colored ale. Quite a few altbiers have the hoppiness alongside a dry profile. It greatly varies between 25 to 50 IBUs. However, most altbiers’ are in the range of 4.5 to 5.5 percent ABV. Bolder and stronger versions of altbiers are named Sticke and Secret Alt.

• Kölsch: It is a German beer style made in and around the city of Cologne. Cologne is not far from Düsseldorf. With a delicate flavor profile, kölsch is a pale-colored hybrid beer. It is fermented with ale yeast. It is yet held at cold temperatures for some time after fermentation.

Kölsch hybrid beer is moderately alcoholic. It ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 percent ABV. Its bitterness is typically between 15 and 30 IBUs. Kölsch tastes a balance of spicy hops and sweet malts that is relaxing and smooth. Alongside a crispness that is usually associated with lagers and this hybrid beer was designed to compete with German pilsners. Nevertheless, kölsch is definitely unique and has the same mineral taste as altbier displays.

• Cream Ale: It is a genuine American-made beer. Cream Ale is light-bodied, mild, and pale golden in color. However, cream ale does not include any cream or dairy product. It does not have the richness of cream stouts as well. Dating back to the 1800s, this hybrid beer instead uses corn and sometimes rice to lighten up the brew.

Using lager yeast cream ales are brewed like an ale. It may also be the other way around. In some cases, cream ales were originally rather bitter high-alcohol beers. Present versions of this hybrid beer are toned down in both aspects. From 4 to 8.5 percent ABV, and 10 to 22 IBUs. Craft brewers nowadays use a wide variety of hops. Its larger crispness with the smooth, fruity nuances found in ales appeals to consumers.

• Steam Beer: Also called ‘California Common’, Steam Beer originated in San Francisco after the influx of miners and laborers during the gold rush. It is fermented in wide tanks with lager yeast. However, brewers would not wait for the lengthy time required for lagering. So, they fermented it at temperatures typically used for ale yeast to speed up the process. And packaged it within a week without conditioning.

The word ‘Steam’ probably comes from the highly pressurized bottles used for packaging. Steam produced from brewery rooftops while the wort cooled is another attribute according to one more account. However, with pale and caramel malts and Northern Brewer hops, Anchor Brewing continues to make steam beer the original way. Steam beer is a well-carbonated, amber-colored easy-drinking beer. It weighs in at 4.9 percent ABV. This style of beer is now made across the world by many other craft brewers as well.

How to Serve Hybrid Beers?

Altbier is nice when served a little warmer between 45 to 50 degrees while kölsch is best served at cold temperatures ranging between 38 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Both these German beers are traditionally poured into a stage. ‘Stick’ in German is a slender and tall cylindrical glass. A Collins glass is also a good substitute.

Cream ales and steam beers are often enjoyed cold. Quite similar to temperatures preferred for lagers. Beer mugs or pint glasses will do fine for glassware to be served.

Use the standard method for pouring a good balance of beer and head. It is ideal to tilt the glass 45 degrees prior to pouring the beer onto the side. And slowly raise it upright.

Food Pairings With Hybrid Beer

All hybrid beers make excellent dinner companions. They work well with a wide range of foods. German beers pair well with authentic Bavarian fares. These include potato dumplings, bratwurst, or wiener schnitzel. Cream ales and steam beer are refreshing for cookouts. Hybrid beers pair nicely with any grilled food.

Popular Brands of Hybrid Beer 

Hybrid beer styles are more obscure than the typical ales and lagers. However, there is no shortage of hybrid beers to explore as craft brewing has revived them. Get a taste of German-brewed beers from altbier and kölsch. Many American interpretations are also nice but don’t have the local ingredients to accurately represent the original versions.

• Anchor Steam Beer
• Genesee Cream Ale
• Gaffel Kölsch
• Füchschen Alt
• Rogue Farms Honey Kolsch
• Sixpoint Sweet Action (Cream Ale)
• Reissdorf Kölsch 
• New Glarus Spotted Cow
• Uerige Alt and Sticke
• Toppling Goliath’s Dorothy’s New World Lager (Steam Beer)

The Final Say

Dating back over 4,000 years, brewing beer is nothing new. Though it was not until 1000 A.D. that hops were initially introduced into the procedure. Brewed by almost every human civilization, ales are among the oldest in the beer’s lifespan. There are over 100+ distinct beer types you can get your hands on. More than 70 of these are Ales. These are followed by more than 25 styles of Lagers, and then a few Hybrid types. It applies to both mass-produced beers, and craft beers as well.

The present-day global beer market is valued at over $623 billion USD. Beer speaks a universal language that unifies drinkers across oceans. It is not therefore surprising, that news outlets annually rush to aggregate the most popular brews from all corners of the world.

International brews like Stella, Heineken, and Guinness find widespread popularity in the U.S. despite differing methodology and varying results. Other beers are less commonly found in the United States but with obvious acclaim the world over. Our list representing Austria, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, offers compelling insight into which beers resonate around the globe. 

Beer is a beloved alcoholic beverage that is even a part of the culture in some countries. The Czech Republic is known as the home country of pilsner beer producers and consumers. An average Czech is estimated to consume over 143.3 liters of beer per person every year. Other beer capitals include Germany, Austria, and Ireland.

Moreover, the countries with high consumption of beer are also found to double as beer producers. However, a significant chunk of the world’s popular beers is unknown in the U.S. Nevertheless, here are three different takes on the world’s most popular beers, each with different compilation methods. 

• Stella: Currently owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev and distributed all over the world, Stella Artois is an “international pilsner” beer brand. Depending on the location it has either 5% or 5.2% alcohol by volume. Stella originates from the Belgian town of Leuven but is brewed under contract in Australia and the United Kingdom. The Den Horen or the Horn Brewery resided as far back as 1366 and so the Stella Artois logo of a horn and the brand marketing pays homage to the Den Horen name and the date. However, the name Artois was not associated with the brewery until the 18th century when Sebastian Artois, the brewmaster, lent it his name in 1717. With its wonderful floral aroma and well-balanced malt sweetness, alongside crisp hop bitterness, and a soft dry finish, Stella is the perfect beer to pair with food and friends. It is also the winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for the World’s Best International Lager.
• Heineken: It is perhaps one of the best-known beer brands in the world. Heineken is sold in a notable green bottle with a red star. Produced by Heineken International, this Dutch brew is sold in over 170 countries. It is estimated that over 34.3 million hectoliters of Heineken are produced and sold each year. The history of Heineken began with a brewer named Gerard Adriaan Heineken. He convinced his affluent mother to purchase the De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam. Heineken was keen on the quality of his brew from day one. He used ‘Yeast A’ and specialized in his fermentation technique to get a crisp and unforgettable taste. The quality of the brew earned beer medals in Paris and Amsterdam. Thanks to its marketing strategies, Heineken ads are notorious for having surprising twists and enjoy worldwide popularity. It has also sponsored and celebrated sporting events like the UEFA Champions League.
• Guinness: Established at St James’ Gate in Dublin by Arthur Guinness in 1759, Guinness Brewery since then has transformed itself from humble beginnings as a run-down brewery into a global success. It is now available in over 100 countries and is one of the oldest beers of Ireland that is easily recognized worldwide. Guinness is recognized as a stout beer. It is a dark beer that is known for its color and smooth and creamy taste. There are a lot of people who see Guinness as just a regular beer. But the truth is, it is ‘Made of More’. Here are some reasons to help you better understand. While most beers contain significant amounts of antioxidants, soluble fiber, and prebiotics to promote the growth of “good” bacteria in your gut, Guinness additionally features a fair amount of (Folate) B vitamin among imported beers that our bodies require to make DNA and other genetic material. The infusion of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gives Guinness Draught its ‘surge and settle’ effect. This results in its smooth and creamy finish. Guinness isn’t just like any average or regular beer. A perfect pint of Guinness takes time to pour. Almost 119.5 seconds to be precise.
• Snow: It is the world’s best-selling beer. Moreover, Snow is interesting because most people outside China have never heard of it. It is a lager beer and has its origins in Shenyang city of Liaoning Province, China. Snow is named for its white foams. More than 101 million hectoliters of Snow beer were sold in 2017. It was twice the amount of Budweiser sold worldwide. This lager beer commands almost 30% of the entire Chinese beer market. However, Snow beer has a relatively short market history. It was launched in 1993 and is mostly produced in Beijing. Although it enjoys massive popularity in North-East China as well, Snow is mainly sold in mainland China. It provides a mere 120 calories and is preferred for being cheap and easy to drink.
• Budweiser: Although it has been witnessing declining sales throughout the country, Budweiser is a popular beer in the United States. It is one of the flagship brands of the Belgian brewing giant AB InBEV. The other one from InBEV is Bud Light. This king of beers was overthrown by Bud Light for the top spot just once among American beer drinkers in 2001. Budweiser is now also being promoted in other markets like Australia, China, and South Africa. AB InBEV ran an expensive 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign to boost the growth of Budweiser in emerging markets. It was designed to improve its sales volume, which was pinned down to 29.2 million hectoliters in 2017.
• Bud Light: It is the light beer flagship of AB InBEV and another top-selling beer in the United States. However, it faces stiff competition from other light beers like Miller Lite and Coors Light. As an American-style light lager beer, Bud Light was launched in the year 1982. With low ABV and low calories, Bud Light has a crisp aroma alongside a fast finish. It makes a favorite among American beer drinkers. The company shipped over 33 million barrels of Bud Light in 2017. About 44.8 million hectoliters of the beverage were sold in the same year. Bud Light is also sold internationally in Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, and Sweden.
• Coors Light: This light beer is notable for its mountain icon that includes two peaks. Coors Light history goes back to 1978 when the Brewing company first produced it. Presently, it is being manufactured in several US states, including Colorado, Georgia, Milwaukee, and Virginia, Coors Light is the second-best-selling beer in the United States.
• Corona: It is another beer brand of AB InBEV, produced by the Cerveceria Modelo Brewery in Mexico. However, Corona beer is available worldwide and sold 28.8 million hectoliters in 2017. Corona was also the top beer imported into the United States during the same year.
• Harbin: This beer is also owned by AB InBEV. It is the oldest beer brand produced in China. Although Harbin was introduced in North American and European markets, you will require more luck finding it in ethnic Chinese supermarkets within the United States. Harbin is a pale lager having an abv of 4.8%. It is presently marketed as a millennial drink in China and has been sponsoring e-Sport events to attract 18-29 years old Chinese males. Moreover, the brand’s disruptive marketing strategies seem to be working as it sold over 29.9 million hectoliters of the brew in 2017.
• Skol: It is the 5th top-selling beer worldwide. Although Skol’s current largest market is in Brazil, it is a Swedish name that alludes to the beer’s Scandinavian inspiration. With equipment sourced from Sweden, the beer was first produced in Alloa, Scotland, by Ind Coope breweries. However, it is now recognized as a Brazilian beer, even though it is produced and marketed by different brands in other regions. About 35.1 million hectoliters of Skol beer were sold in 2017. Moreover, Carlsberg retains the license to manufacture and distribute the beer worldwide except in Africa, and South America. Skol beer is widely available in China, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, and Turkey. Unibra however sells the brew in African countries like Angola, Burundi, Madagascar, and Rwanda.
• Tsingtao: It is a popular beer that enjoys 15% of China’s beer market. Tsingtao’s sales volume was 49 million hectoliters in 2017. Its history stretches back to the short-lived German occupation of the Chinese city Qingdao when the Germans drew mineral water from the Laoshan spring and utilized it for traditional brewing methods to make a pilsner. Now sold in over 70 nations worldwide, Tsingtao is the most popular Chinese beer today. To promote Tsingtao beer and popularize beer culture across the country, the brewery organizes the Qingdao International Beer festival every year.
• Yanjing: Located in China’s capital, this beer is produced by the Beijing Yanjing Brewery. The brewery began production in 1980, and by 2013, it reached a production capacity of 57.1 million hectoliters every year. It is a state-owned brewery and is the 3rd largest brewery in the country. Yanjing beer enjoys popularity in Beijing, Guangxi, and Inner Mongolia.

Do Yourself a Flavour

Notable brands like Budweiser, and Heineken, as well as brews that are almost exclusively sold in China, like Harbin and Snow are some of the most popular beer brands available worldwide. Other world’s most popular beers include the two American favorites, Bud Light and Coors Light.

Ginger Beer is a carbonated beverage made from ginger root, a low-calorie sweetener, and fructose corn syrup. However, many commercial ginger ales contain plenty of added sugar and very little Ginger. Nevertheless, some traditional varieties of Ginger Beer still include real fermented ginger root juice.

Ginger offers numerous benefits for headaches, heart health, and nausea. Alongside being an antioxidant having anti-inflammatory properties, the varieties of ginger ale containing more Ginger could be good for your overall health.

The dark side of Ginger Beer is that carbonation may cause increased gassiness. Added sugar in ginger ale may lead to chronic diseases if large amounts of the beverage are consumed regularly. However, individuals suffering from ‘phenylketonuria’ should stay away from Ginger Beer as the drink is usually made using ‘phenylalanine’ artificial sweetener.  

Moreover, frequent ginger ale in large amounts may also interfere with blood-thinning medications. So beware and read the label properly. Choose a low sugar diet variety that fits your personal health preferences and goals. Look for the one that does not use artificial colouring or high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetening ingredient. 

Proven Health Benefits of Ginger Beer

Ginger is a flowering plant species belonging to the ‘Zingiberaceae’ family. It originated in Southeast Asia and is amongst one of the most delicious and healthiest plant varieties on Earth. Ginger is intimately related to turmeric, galangal, and cardamom.

The underground part of the plant is ‘rhizome,’ which is commonly used as a spice known as ginger or ginger root. It is often used as fresh, dried, powdered or as juice or oil. Ginger’s unique flavour and fragrance come from gingerol derived from its natural oils.

Ginger is considered safe to consume, but pregnant women should make it a point to talk to the physician before consuming large amounts. It is recommended that those close to labour or who have had miscarriages in the past avoid Ginger. It is also contraindicated in women having a history of vaginal bleeding and clotting disorders.  

• Gingerol: With a long history of being used in traditional and alternative medicine forms, Ginger contains gingerol that has many medicinal properties. It has been used to aid digestion, reduce nausea, morning sickness, help fight the common cold and flu. Gingerol is also found to reduce oxidative stress resulting from excessive amounts of free radicals in the body. Gingerol appears to be highly effective in relieving chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in people undergoing certain types of surgery.
• Help With Weight Loss: According to studies, ginger plays a good role in weight loss. A ginger supplementation review significantly concluded that it reduced the waist-hip ratio, body weight, and hip ratio in obese people who are overweight. Ginger can also help lower blood insulin levels and body mass index (BMI). High blood insulin levels are found to be associated with obesity. Ginger’s ability to influence weight loss is related to specific mechanisms, like reducing inflammation and its potential to help increase the number of calories burned. However, it is ongoing research, and more studies must be conducted.
• Help With Osteoarthritis: OA is a common health problem nowadays. With symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, OA involves degeneration of the joints in the body. With only mild side effects like dissatisfaction with Ginger’s taste and stomach upset, people who used Ginger to treat their OA saw significant reductions in pain and disability. Combining cinnamon, mastic, topical Ginger, and sesame oil can help reduce pain and stiffness. Especially in people with OA of the knee. Various studies show Ginger to be effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Lowers Blood Sugar & Improves Heart Disease: Ginger reduces blood sugars and drastically improves heart disease risk factors. A couple of grams of ginger powder per day decreased fasting blood sugar by 12% in people with type 2 diabetes. It also dramatically improved haemoglobin—a marker for long-term blood sugar levels. Ginger has potent anti-diabetic properties. Nevertheless, this is just the result portrayed in a small study. Though they are imposing, they need to be confirmed in more extensive studies before any recommendations are made. However, Ginger does not affect fasting blood sugar.
• Helps Treat Chronic Indigestion: Recurrent pain and discomfort in the upper part of the stomach is a sign of chronic indigestion. Delayed emptying of the stomach is found to be a significant driver. Functional dyspepsia is indigestion with no known cause. Interestingly, Ginger has been found to speed up stomach emptying. Consuming Ginger accelerates emptying of the stomach and can be beneficial for people with indigestion and related stomach discomfort.
• Ginger Reduces Menstrual Pain: Ginger has been traditionally used for pain relief, including menstrual pain. Pain felt during the menstrual cycle is known as dysmenorrhea. Ginger manages to reduce pain as effectively as NSAIDs. Ginger is more effective than a placebo and equally as effective as drugs such as mefenamic acid and acetaminophen, caffeine, and ibuprofen (Novafen). Ginger is most effective against menstrual pain when taken at the beginning of the menstrual period.
• Lowers Bad Cholesterol Levels: Higher levels of LDL or bad cholesterol are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Ginger as food can have a strong influence on LDL levels. A few grams of ginger powder each day will see a drop in LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. However, most people may have difficulty taking a 3-5 gram dose long enough to see promising results. However, there is enough evidence that ginger can lead to significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood triglyceride levels as well.
• May Help Prevent Cancer: As an alternative remedy in several forms. Ginger contains a substance that may help prevent cancer. Gingerol is viewed as especially powerful and is found in large amounts in raw ginger. Two grams of ginger extract per day significantly reduced pro-inflammatory signalling molecules among colorectal cancer patients. Moreover, albeit limited, there is some evidence that ginger may be effective against other gastrointestinal cancers. Ginger is also found to be effective against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Gingerol against cancer seems to have protective effects. Nevertheless, more studies are required to approve how it does. 
• Improves Brain Function: Ginger can protect against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline since oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can accelerate aging. The antioxidants and bioactive compounds found within Ginger can inhibit inflammatory responses in the brain. Ginger can also directly help enhance brain function. Daily doses of the ginger extract have been shown to improve reaction time and working memory among healthy middle-aged women, 
• Helps Fight Infection: Gingerol helps lower the risk of infections. Ginger extract inhibits the growth of many different types of oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis. Both of these are inflammatory gum diseases. Ginger is also effective against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory infections. Overall, ginger helps fight harmful bacteria and viruses. It is most likely to reduce your risk for diseases.

The Bottom Line

Ginger is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds. These are found to have powerful benefits for your body and brain. Ginger is one of the very few superfoods worthy of the term “Superfood.”

With a hundred different beer styles flooding the market, ‘Beertails’ or Beer Cocktails can be brand-new creations or riffs on classic cocktails. The options you got are endless. Try some of these Beer Cocktails right away.

And why not? Try mixing it into a delicious cocktail, if it makes your favorite beer even better. Beer need not be a solo act, think of what else you could do with that tasty, crispy lager or ale?

However, remember before you start that beer adds bubbles, body, and a frothy kick to cocktails. It is the star of the show to other ingredients forming the mix. It accents Aperol or mezcal. Moreover, beer is here and primed to amp up the refreshment of your next cocktail. 

Get Down to Trying These Beer Cocktails

You can always get the right flavor by mixing light beer with Ginger Ale, Sprite, and Mountain Dew. Match the right beer with the right type of soda to get that zesty, spritzy, and sweet shandy experience. 

Here are some proven Beertails to start with – 

• Bloody Roman: Are you looking for a new beer-based brunch drink? Micheladas may not be complex enough or savory for your taste. Give Bloody Roman a try! This Beer Cocktail constructively combines capers, chiles, tomatoes, olives, shallots, and fish sauce with beer. And don’t forget to top each glass with a couple of freshly shucked oysters. Why would you need a breakfast burrito when you can have a meal in a glass of Beertail?
• Bodega Dog: Gin makes a classic combination with grapefruit. Adding grapefruit juice to gin will fetch you the traditional Greyhound. You can also have a Salty Dog when you add a salt rim. To get this tasty and refreshing Beer Cocktail, just replace the grapefruit juice with the grapefruit-flavored wheat beer from Schöfferhofer.
• Boiler Room: A mix of bourbon, ginger liqueur, marigold tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup, topped with wheat beer, will deliver you this summery cocktail. Boiler Room is a combination of familiar flavors in an unexpected mix. Chances are that your new go-to comfort Beer Cocktail may just become your favorite drink.
• El Chapo: This Beer Cocktail takes the gin-and-grapefruit-beer combo a step further. El Chapo adds strawberry-infused Aperol for a sweet, fruity, and very slightly bitter touch to the drink. Most likely you have some of that fruity Aperol left over. Go ahead and use it in a Spritz for a two-in-one summer drink ingredient to make your day.
• Here Comes the Sun: It is a little surprise that suds have bled into the cocktail list. Bar Roofers Union and Washington, D.C., Restaurant get high marks for its beer program. Here Comes the Sun Beer Cocktail is where rye whiskey lends spice and depth that plays well with the ginger and lemon. The citrus and spice elements in this Beertail are enticed together along with a splash of wheat beer. The mix gives the whole shebang a refreshing fizz.
• Michelada: This Beer Cocktail may just beat the Bloody Mary as the best savory brunchtime drink. Michelada takes a Mexican lager and adds lime juice, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauces, along with an array of spices. However, choose your favorite beer as the starting point. You can never go wrong with a Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Tecate.
• Mayan Michelada: Perfecting the original Michelada is made simple with this Central American touch. Get ready to crank out batches of this updated version of Beer Cocktail at your next brunch. Customarily, beer is the single source of alcohol in a Michelada. However, with a small touch of Joven mezcal, New York City’s Tijuana Picnic gives its Mayan Michelada an extra jolt. It adds agave notes and subtle smoke to the Beer Cocktail.
• Lagerita: Think of a Beer Cocktail that is even more refreshing than a Margarita. Lagerita Beertail is crowned with a Mexican lager. The drink mix makes for an ultimate mashup. Shake it all up with a typical mix of tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Then top it with Modelo Especial to have a drink you’ll be craving throughout the summer.
• Radler Paloma: An ideal location to sip this grapefruit cooler may be the alfresco rooftop at 8UP Drinkery & Kitchen in Louisville, Kentucky. But this Beer Cocktail tastes equally good when mixed well at home. Radler Paloma’s take on the Mexican classic makes a match of Stiegl Radler and tequila. It is then rounded out by fresh grapefruit and lime juices. The finished Beertail is a tall, cool, and refreshing drink that is just a bit boozier than the typical Paloma.
• Ruby Hearts: Employing both bitter liqueur Campari and IPA alongside mezcal, lime juice, and a cinnamon-demerara syrup this Beer Cocktail proves that bitter is indeed better. The bitter flavors of the drink accent the richness of the syrup and the grassy smokiness of the mezcal, rather than overwhelming the drink. Ruby Hearts evolves as an unexpectedly balanced Beertail concoction.
• Rye House Spring Beer Cocktail: This Beer Cocktail is a pleasant outcome from Lynnette Marrero and Jim Kearns, the cocktail masterminds. This seasonal Beertail calls for topping applejack, genever, loganberry liqueur, ginger syrup, and lime juice, with lager beer. Although Rye House Spring Beer Cocktail is an unusual combination but is perfectly suited for celebrating the arrival of warm weather.

Beer though as such is special on its own. It also provides a fantastic base for mixed drinks. With newer recipes that break up your beer-drinking routine, give yourself and your friends a wonderful time. There are a variety of beer styles and craft brews available nowadays.

Recon them as Beer Cocktails or Beertails. The drinks mentioned above are not cocktails in the true sense since most of them do not include liquor. Call them any which way you like; have fun anyway, by exploring ways that mix and go well with your beer.

Artisanal or Craft Beer has lately been gaining popularity in India. Especially among the youth who are becoming more and more interested in craft beers because they have a better flavor. 

Craft breweries often experiment with different ingredients. It gives beers a unique taste that usually cannot be found in other types of products. They add ingredients like lychee or coconut to make their flagship beers irresistible.

What is Craft Beer?

Craft Beer is a brew made by mashing malted barley with boiled water so as to convert starch into sugars. Yeast is then added which causes fermentation of these sugars. Depending on what type of brew it will be, it turns them into alcohol over a period of days or weeks. The brew is finally clarified and filtered before packaging.

Many breweries also add fruit and other ingredients to the mix. Shark Bait made with coconuts is a signature ingredient of the Miami Brewing Company! They have an artisanal approach to brewing that includes numerous steps rarely found in normal typical factory-style production processes. They take their time and pour their heart and soul into creating beers with every batch. Producing Craft Beer is so special that some of these types can only be made in specific seasons.

Craft Beers You Cannot Afford to Miss Out in India

When it comes to drinking beer, India has a history that goes back to 1830. Edward Abraham Dyer set up the first brewery in the country. It was located in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, India. This brewery produced the beer brand that was named ‘Lion’. The project also led to the creation of a new style of beer. This Indian Pale Ale was higher in alcohol and hop profile. 

With a variety of beers and a dedication to craft brewing that rivals Europe’s enthusiasm for wine, it is now safe to say that India is witnessing the golden age of beer. Innovative craft stouts from mainstream lagers to cult-status IPAs, there are some refreshing options for easy drinking. Quite a few of these need to be on your bucket or pint list irrespective of how much you love beer.

• BeeYoung – Kimaya Himalayan Beverage: It is a barley-based Indian brew that delivers a clean yet punchy sip. The perfect maltiness of this Pale Ale is derived from the Argentinian two-row barley it uses. The flavor of this complex ale is further enhanced by a dynamic combination of yeast, rice, and spring waters from the Bhakra Nangal Dam area. Savor this one on a sultry day, as the BeeYoung aftertaste is gently bitter. Coming with an ABV of 7.2 percent, BeeYoung is ideal when you are looking for a buzz along with refreshments.
• Beor 360: Beor 360 was introduced to Delhi by Brew King Beverages in the year 2020. It is an artisanal craft beer brewed in the pristine waters of the Himalayas. Other natural ingredients that go into the making include chamomile, True to the craft, this brew is a classic example of beers that are experimental. Wheat and Lager are the two variants available by the brand.
• Bira 91: Indian craft beer aficionados are a bit monkey of Bira 91. It is a favorite amongst them. The brand builds an emotional connection with the tech-savvy, irreverent, young urban craft beer drinkers. The brew offers a long and diverse beer line-up suitable for every palate. The variants of Craft Beers from Bira 91 include Bira Gold, Bira Light, Bira Strong, Bira White, Blonde, Boom Strong, Boom Classic, Indian Pale Ale, and Malabar Stout.
• Briggs: The brand name Briggs is derived from old English. A perfect cold mug of the brew serves as a bridge between beer lovers’ stories and swap conversations that build relationships.  There is no chance you would have missed the brew if you have visited any one of the city’s famous liquor boutiques, The brand adorns quite a few bright, stylishly whimsical labels! Their four signature variants currently available include Hoppy Feet, Griffin, Stout Alchemy, and Willy’s Witbier.
• Bro Code: Expanding the spirit of brotherhood, the Bro Code brand clearly stands for what the name says. Their beers come with a significantly higher ABV as compared to most other beers out there. Bro Code is a recent player in India’s craft beer market. But for its unique flavor, the brand has quickly garnered a mass following amongst the country’s next-gen beer lovers. Presently it has three variants to cheer Crafted Brut 10, Crafted Brut 15, and Witty Bro.
• Easy Rider, Beach Shack & Bangalore Bliss: Arbor Brewing Company is touted as India’s first American Craft Brewery, It is a craft beer pioneer in spreading true beer culture across India. Pint by pint, they churn out a unique set of beers. All their products are packaged only in cans. Three canned variants presently available from them across the outlets in Bangalore and Goa include Beach Shack, Bangalore Bliss, and Easy Rider.
• Eight Finger Eddie, Goa Brewing Co: Yertward Mazamanian came to Anjuna Beach from America on the hippie trail to Goa. Alongside tropical fruits, bitter pine, dances, and smoky sweetness, he began the Goa Brewing Co. Eight Finger Eddie is a non-conformist brew named after the American hippie. With smooth bubbles that pour on the frothy side, this beer with a hint of hoppy bitterness has a creamy finish. It makes the drinking experience absolutely delicious. Based out of a 250-year-old heritage home in Porvorim, Goa, this brewery makes for a delightful visit for hop heads. The art portrayed on the bottle label design is interestingly eclectic and odd at its best.
• Hoppy Feet, Variant from Briggs: For good reason, this brew is a zesty IPA that has become a home bar staple. It ticks all the right boxes for a classic Hazy IPA. Hoppy Feet with overripe citrus and tropical aromatics has a soft mouthfeel. It is a great choice while relaxing with friends. On the lighter side, this Pale Ale is not as overpowering in the hops department as some other IPAs do. But Hoppy Feet is fantastically balanced. It is sharp and bitter but not cloying. The hoppy taste of the brew is evened out by fruity, and floral notes. The drink easily pairs with all types of dishes.
• Kati Patang Zesty Amber Ale: It is a Zesty Amber Ale and a good bet when you want to explore craft beer. With a balance of complex flavors and a smooth caramel finish, Kati Patang offers a good start. It is an amber-colored beer that is insanely delicious. The uninhibited name of the brew is an ode to the free spirit lying within us all. And if you like a spicy kick, Snappy Wheat is the other variant from the house. It is a perfect summery brew with a peppery finish. Brewed and bottled in Bhutan, at the Serbhum Brewery owned by Shantanu and Lata, an Indian couple. 
• Kingfisher Ultra Witbier: India’s biggest brewer, United Breweries is the biggest entity in India. It recently rolled out Ultra Witbier as its first craft beer under its popular Kingfisher brand. The brew is refreshing, light, and sessionable. It was an instant hit with urban beer lovers across the country. Available in 3 SKUs – a 330 ml bottle, a 650 ml bottle, and a 500 ml can, this craft beer is accessible nationwide.
• Machaa & Veere: With the launch of two local wheat beers in 2019, the Anheuser Busch InBev’s Indian unit ‘7 Rivers Brewing Co.,’ surprised craft beer consumers. These beers made their debut against the backdrop of a gorgeously whimsical campaign named ‘The Flavour of Local.’ It immediately caught the attention of India’s beer community. The vibrant beer packaging style has made appearances in many beer lovers’ Instagram photos as well. Machaa and Veere are the two canned variants the brand presently has.
• Mad King: Brewed in Belgium but born in Delhi, Mad King brand beers are for the curious and the open-minded. However, these craft beers in small batches are sold mostly to the vibrant beer-drinking crowd in areas of Delhi-NCR. The two variants presently available from Mad King are Dufa Witbier and Kolga Lager.
• Maka Di – American Lager: This is it if you are looking for a good lager! Maka Di is super clean, ultra-smooth, and well-carbonated at the same time. Slight hints of refreshing citrus on the palate keep things stimulating. ‘Maka Di’ in Konkani means ‘give me more.’ And this is precisely what you would be saying after the first sip! Honey Ale, the other variant from this brewery is also worth trying.
• Off Duty Pale Ale, Great State Aleworks: The Pune-based Great State Aleworks producing Off Duty Pale Ale is known for its experimental brews. It uses indigenous ingredients like coffee, Gondhoraj lime, kokum, mangoes, rhubarb, and ginger in the process. Off Duty Pale Ale is particularly an interesting beer displaying complex and mild bitterness. It is perfect for easy drinking sessions. The Great State Brewery also hosts pop-ups and tours at least once a month. The dates of which they unfailingly announce on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
• Simba Stout, Simba: It is an imperial stout that is especially meant for the hardcore beer enthusiast looking for grace. With rich hints of espresso and cacao, Simba Stout is deep and dark. It is creamy as well. Counting among the best beers in India, Simba is often considered breakfast in a bottle. Maybe It packs more flavor than expected to tickle the imagination.
• Susegado: This is a craft beer label brand which is based out of Goa. It proudly stands for the unhurried pursuit of hoppy happiness. Susegado has five bottled beers under its belt. The company is officially recognized as the first Indian brewery to bottle its beers. The five beer variants presently available from Susegado are American IPA, Dortmund Lager, English Ale, Kokum Gose, and Vanilla Porter.
• WIT, White Rhino: This Pale Ale comes from the Chambal region of India where bandits once held sway. It is a Belgian-style wheat beer made with rolled wheat and fresh coriander seeds from the Himalayan region. White Rhino is a highly complex beer. It is both aromatic and refreshing. You could savor it as is or gulp it along with a burger.
• Witty Wit, Geist: This Pale Ale Lager is good stuff. With a citrusy essence that lingers, this Belgian ale is crisp and tastes lighter than its ABV suggests. Moreover, it won’t leave you with a wooly head the next morning. Witty Wit, Geist is available in 500 ml crawlers can version.
• Yavira: Another beer variant brewed by Kimaya Himalayan Beverages LLP., the name Yavira is derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘beer’. With 6.2% ABV, this beer merges the young Indian’s desire for the taste of craft with the inherent love for solid beer. It is brewed with Basmati rice. Currently available in 500ml cans and bottles, Yavira makes a great pairing with some of India’s most well-loved spicy dishes.

Don’t Miss Out

Craft Beer most commonly refers to beer brewed by a small-scale, independent brewery. It is produced only on a limited scale each year. However, the ‘small output’ can get murky because there is no set definition for what a small-scale operation is meant to be.

Nevertheless, when we talk about Craft Beer, we are generally referring to beers brewed by independently owned breweries. These are not either a part or quietly owned by large corporations. It implies that this is beer made by a brewery where ‘craftsmanship’ is key.

Craft Beer nowadays though in most cases can be purchased by large-scale operatives. it is, therefore, not technically a ‘craft’ product as such, since beer becomes a mass-produced commodity. It does not also imply that this beer will no longer be a quality beverage. it simply means that the beer is made by a large company and widely distributed. Although it is not a ‘craft’ brew anymore, many large companies will still choose to label the brew as ‘Craft Beer’.

Choosing the Best Craft Beers

It is a good idea to seek out independent brewers that use locally sourced ingredients. These are the ones who produce innovative, interesting, and limited-edition brews. Most often they employ traditional methods to brew Craft Beers. Creativity In style Combined with Flavor!

‘Pale Lager’ in some circles seems to have gotten a bad rap due to the style’s association in the minds of many with mass-produced beers. Although it is a style that has been around forever. With a slightly hopped character, Pale Lager is prized for its clean, fresh, crisp, and oftentimes dry.

Commonly brewed with noble hops and Pilsner malts, Pale Lager does contain adjuncts like rice, flaked wheat, corn, and other ingredients. Some of the highly refreshing and crushable adjunct lagers like bocks, Dortmunder Export, Helles lagers, and other varieties also include pilsners. However, Pale Lagers are perfect for summer due to their refreshing, easy-to-drink flavor profile.

Types of Pale Ales in India

IPAs or Pale Ales in India are one of the most popular beer styles on the craft beer scene today. You would not have failed to notice the ever-growing number of IPAs on the shelves of your local beer shop unless you have been living under a rock for the last two decades. The beer industry, in fact, is on and coming up with new monikers for each category of beer as such.

What is an IPA?

Indian Pale Ale is a style of beer whose history predates the craft beer movement. It goes way back to the days of the British in the 18th century when no beer was being produced in India. So the colonizers had to import it from the United Kingdom. These were the days before quick air travel was available. It meant that the beer had to endure a long ocean passage where it was likely to spoil before arriving. 

British brewers, therefore, added more hops and increased the percentage of alcohol to avoid spoiling. The antibiotic properties along with the oils in the hops aided in preventing contamination. Significantly, it acted as a preservative to increase the shelf life of the beer. Hence, the IPA style was born and Pale Ale became the beer that was sent to India.

IPA with higher alcohol content is an over-hopped Pale Ale along with a bolder flavor. The intense fruity flavors or hop aromas together with accompanying bitterness define IPAs that reach dizzying levels of up to 70 international bitterness units (IBUs). There are so many types of IPAs on the market now. Some of these IPAs have a clean, crisp taste with hints of pine or flora, while others have a citrusy and earthy taste. 

The wide variety of hops that are now available means that innovative brewers have a wider selection of bounces to experiment with.

Types of IPAs

The BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program), a trade body in the U.S. has identified nine distinct types of Pale Ales in India. Nevertheless, more are added to the market each day. But these are the ones the BJCP officially recognizes.

• East Coast IPA: Differing from the West Coast IPA variants in the varieties of yeast they utilize, East Coast IPAs are a relatively new innovation included in American IPAs. East Coast IPA brewers use more complex varieties of mutated British yeasts in place of the clean and almost flavorless yeasts favored by Californian brewers.  The British yeast strains produce more complex flavors and aromas as they ferment sugar. These are usually of banana flavors, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes that are used to top up the intense, hoppy flavor. EC IPAs are therefore less bitter than the West Coast IPAs. The beer is commonly hazy or cloudy due to the flavor boost from the yeast as they use fewer hops. Best examples of East Coast IPAs include Alchemist Heady Topper, Brooklyn Brewery East India, and Other Half Citra IPA.

• West Coast IPA: On the other hand, American IPAs don’t get the same broad classification. These two most popular variants are classified by the coast they belong. Originally crafted in California by about 5 brewers, the West Coast IPA uses American hops and grains but takes its inspiration from British IPAs. These Pale Ales are less dry than most other American IPAs. The West Coast IPA use crystal malt. It gives them a maltier backbone with piney aromas alongside citrus and earthy characteristics with the use of “Big C” hops such as Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, and Citra. Nonetheless, it is loved by hop heads and beer snobs worldwide. West Coast IPAs also tend to be more bitter. Sometimes they even top 80 IBUs. It is just nearly the limit of the human palate that can taste or withstand. Top examples of West Coast IPAs include Alpine Duet, Magic Rock Highwire, and Sierra Nevada Torpedo.

• English IPA: This is the original beer where Pale Ales started. The English IPA is considered to be the grandfather of the modern-day IPA. It is golden in color, and quite similar to an old-fashioned English Pale Ale. English IPAs use hops like Fuggles and East Kent holdings that give the beers earthy, grassy flavors with notes of light citrus. However, it is nowhere near as strong an aroma profile as its American counterpart. The malts used in English IPAs often give the brew a distinct ‘breadiness’ or biscuit-malt taste to the beer like most British ales. English IPAs will usually have an ABV between 6% – 7% along with a very dry and hoppy finish. It is less common in America today due to the exclusive use of British yeast and hops. Best examples of English IPAs are often seen in local stores including the Sixpoint Bengali IPA, and Three Floyds Blackheart.

• Black IPA: Many would It can be argued that the Black IPA is not an IPA at all since it is not black at all. Moreover, Black IPA is commonly known as Cascadian Dark Ale. The term comes after the hops that were used in this region of America and where it was first invented. The basic idea behind Black IPA is a beer with the hoppy aroma of a West Coast IPA and the taste that looks like a stout. Best Black IPAs are full-bodied with the flavor of hoppier beers yet clean with a hint of that roasted note normally found in darker beers. The best examples of Black IPA include Beavertown Black Betty, Conquer & Founders Dark Penance, and Vocation Divide.

• Double IPA: A Double IPA is also known as an Imperial IPA. It is a great example of what happens when a beer type is taken to the next level by excitable brewers. As American brewers got used to the high bitterness of modern-day IPAs, they started screaming out for more hops. The ideal solution was to create stronger hoppier beers. DIPA or the Double IPA increased the number of malts used in producing the brew. With more hops added to balance out the sweetness, it resulted in a higher level of alcohol. If you like strong, hoppy beers like a West Coast IPA, Double IPA is turbo-charged. IPA. A couple of excellent examples of Double IPA include Lagunitas Maximus Colossal IPA and Verdant Fruit Car Sight Exhibition.

• Triple IPA: Brewers responded by upping the grain bill yet again as consumers demanded even more hoppy beers with the signature raspy dryness. Despite their eye-watering bitterness level of 100 IBU or more, Triple IPAs are immensely popular. Some of the top examples of Triple IPAs include Magic Rock Unhuman Cannonball and Sierra Nevada Hoptimum.

• The Grapefruit IPA: Fruit IPA is actually recognized by BJCP as a type of IPA. This seasonal variant deserves a special mention of its own and has become so popular. You don’t get any more bitter than the taste of grapefruit when you are considering bitterness. Many beer snobs and hop heads see it as cheating to get the aroma from grapefruit, In fact, it gives the beer a sour flavor alongside lending acidity to the brew. Since Big C hops are getting harder to find, many clever brewers have realized that a gorgeous, dialed-in grapefruit aroma will do the same job. You never know, maybe more fruit IPAs will become popular as the days go by. Few of the top examples of Jackfruit IPAs include the Magic Rock Highwire Grapefruit and the Siren Pompelmocello.

• The Belgian IPA: It is also a word added to the description of many kinds of beer. It usually implies a Belgian yeast that has been used in the brewing process. This Pale Ale variety was invented by brewers who commonly used this yeast in Belgian beers. The Belgian yeast strains like Brettanomyces yeast give clover-like flavors. Also known for having a citrusy or orange flavor, Belgian IPAs work well for those familiar with Belgian beer. However, this variant is wanting a more complex hop flavor. Best examples of Belgian IPA include Chouffe Houblon IPA and Petrus Aged Pale.

• Session IPA: The Session IPA is a little more subtle and a little less strong than the high ABV headiness of Double and Triple IPAs. The Session IPA would never come near or get anything done if we spent all our time drinking Double, Triple, or the higher-end West Coast IPAs. The Session IPA is a style that still packs a hoppy punch for casual drinking sessions. Alongside a strong hop aroma and an ABV under 5%, it packs a more balanced bitterness. The beer is much lighter in the body than a traditional IPA. The bitterness level of this IPA will also be much lower in comparison. But it has to be over 40 IBU according to BJCP guidelines. Session IPAs are very dry ales. While minimizing the level of bitterness to be as drinkable as possible and still be full-flavored, they are dry-hopped to the max to emphasize the citrus aromas. The best examples of Session IPAs include Beavertown Neck Oil and Lagunitas All Day IPA and to name a few.

Other Types Of IPAs

We have focused on the “official” types of IPAs so far. However, there are many more subcategories of IPAs emerging all the time. Some more common IPAs found at the craft beer bar or your local beer shop may also include the following:

• White IPA: Ranging in color from light yellow to deep gold, this IPA is a mashup of IPA with a witbier. It is typically hazy due to the wheat used in the brewing process. Featuring an IBU of between 40 – 70, White IPA is a hoppy beer but not overly bitter.
• New England IPA: With powerful tropical fruit aromas and flavor, this IPA style is heavily a dry hopped ale. New England IPA normally has a cloudy or hazy appearance when unfiltered. It is smooth to the taste and appears creamy to some hop-headers.
• Sour IPA: This IPA style is not as popular as other IPAs. But sour beers have seen a resurgence in recent years. Several ingenious brewers have now effectively combined the fruity, hoppy taste of a hazy IPA with the tartness of a sour beer. With added sour notes, you can always think of the New England IPA.
• Milkshake IPA: It is loaded with fruity hops. The Milkshake IPA adds extra lactose and fruits that give it a creamy milkshake characteristic. However, stay clear of this brew if you have lactose intolerance. Otherwise, with flavors hinting towards pineapple or vanilla, simply relax to enjoy the smooth mouthfeel.
• Rye IPA: Consistently golden in color, the rye in Rye IPA imparts hints of red with a foamy white head.It has a unique flavor that is commonly described as tangy or spicy As expected, the Rye IPA aroma is hops-heavy. But you will find that the rye gives a slight spice-and-pepper warm taste in its flavor.
• Brut IPA: Setting a new trend, it is considered the champagne of the Pale Ale world. With a champagne-like flavor, Brut IPA is very fizzy, bone dry, and light-bodied. The San Francisco brewer who invented Brut IPA found that he could create a beer without any residual sugars by adding an extra enzyme to regular IPAs. With a large foam head that quickly recedes, Brut IPAs are generally very pale in color. Nevertheless, they are extremely bubbly alongside a complex hop aroma that has citrus notes. It is funky like cheap champagne or like cider. The brew is most ideal for drinkers who say that they don’t really like the taste of beer.
• Non-Alcoholic IPA: Non-Alcoholic IPAs – It is quite difficult to make great-tasting beer that is free of alcohol. The heavy usage of hops in Non-Alcoholic IPAs makes it possible. It is a style of beer that actually tastes quite good to savor. However, purists argue that the definition of an IPA is a higher ABV beer. Nevertheless, there’s no reason why those seeking a great-tasting alcohol-free beer shouldn’t enjoy an IPA-style beer as long as the high level of bitterness remains.

Top Pale Ales the World Over

We went to the professionals once again to enquire about top Pale Ales the world over. We asked some well-known beer experts and brewers. Here is a short list of their picks as the most refreshing pale lagers to drink this summer amongst classic American staples, the old-school European, and other Pale Ale interpretations in equal measure. You now have no excuse this pool season for not having a cold crispy boy within easy crushing distance.

• The Yankee Pale Ale (ABV: 4.3%): A super little triumph from Roosters delivering on all levels, Yankee Pale Ale is not mind-blowing on the senses at just 4.3% Vol. Nevertheless, it is on for a session and is a worthy contender. Yankee with a wonderful citrus aroma is a light hoppy refreshing beer that is pleasing to the buds, and also worthy of a decent rate on beer score. It glistens and pours a clear light gold that is topped with a decent white foamy hat. 
• Victory Prima Pils (ABV: 5.3%): This is my favorite pale lager. Clean malt with a firm bitter backbone Victory Prima Pils pours beautiful floral, citrus, and spicy hop aromas that make this beer crisp and drinkable. This Pale Ale keeps me coming back for more.

• Grain Belt Premium Lager (ABV: 4.6%): It is my favorite ‘cheap’ beer that is coveted in my household. Grain Belt Premium goes back to a summer trip I undertook 20-plus years ago. I was desperately searching for a beer then that wasn’t served in a can. My search happened to lead me to a dive bar serving this Pale Ale. I have been hooked to Grain Belt Premium from then on. More in balance with the hops, the malt character of this beer is slightly higher compared to most Pilsners but also lends to a fuller body.
• Radeberger Pilsner (ABV: 4.8%): This premium Pale Ale is hard to beat. Radeberger Premium Pilsner is a quintessential German Pils that is light and refreshing. It goes great with food with some great Noble hop flavor and aroma. This beer is also a wonderful choice if you want to knock back a couple of them on a warm day.
• North Park Birdie to Bogey (ABV: 5.4%): It is a West Coast-style Pilsner having a clean, light body backed by a hefty dose of bright, citrusy west coast hops. However, North Park Beer just might be the perfect summer Pale Ale Lager you have been searching for.
• Brockton Frederick & Main (ABV: 4%): It is a great American light lager that’s super refreshing. Brockton Beer Frederick and Main are pale in color and only 4% ABV. You can therefore always refresh yourself with more than one. With light malty toastiness, it finishes clean and dry alongside a hint of hops. Brockton Beer is fresher and slightly fuller tasting than other macro brewery versions. This is a fantastic crispy lager.
• Pilsner Urquell (ABV: 4.4%): It has a history of being one of the best Pale Ale Lagers in the world. Iconic for its pronounced ester profile that is crisp, thirst-quenching, and perfect for summer consumption, Pilsner Urquell features a clean and soft malt body that is the first of its kind. It is arguably the best pilsner available in the market today.
• Hill Farmstead Mary (ABV: 4.6%): Pale Ale Lagers seem like easy beers to brew. But the reality is that they aren’t necessarily easy to be brewed well. Hill Farmstead Mary by Hill Farmstead Brewery is undoubtedly the best Pilsner I’ve ever had. Brewed with German hops, German pilsner malt, and German lager yeast, this beer is super crisp and clean.
• Miller High Life (ABV: 4.6%): Brewers’ sensibilities generally go with Miller High Life. However, this may be sacrilegious to many people. Any brewer will tell you that most of their favorite beers are beers they don’t have to overthink about outside the brewery. Moreover, it is fairly easy to find me with a champagne-of-beers pony bottle while I am outside the brewery.
• Hopfheiser Old Time Lager (ABV: 4%): Anytime is a good time for an ‘Old Time!’ I pick this Pale Ale Lager, brewed by the Hopfheiser Brewing Company. It is a new entrant to the DC brewery scene, but highly quaffable. This no-frills, approachable American Light Lager has everything you are looking for. With great malt backbone, subdued hops, and a super light body with light carbonation Old Time Lager allows you to savor this new offering.
• Zero Gravity Green State (ABV: 4.9%): Warm weather or cold weather! The truth is no weather is required for the love of lager. You cannot put Pale Ale Lager in a box. Our favorite is Zero Gravity Green State Pale Ale. It is crispy yet soft with that wet foam when poured from a side pull Lukr Faucet. Its refreshing flavor on a hot, sunny day is hard to beat.
• Green Bench Brewing Bench Life (ABV: 4.6%): This Pale Ale is brewed by Green Bench Brewing. It is dry, drinkable, and can be put down one after another. Bench Life is brewed with flaked corn, malted barley, and Mount Hood hops. The beer is crisp, and a fresh, summertime beer that you would love to crave on a hot, steamy day.
• Trumer Pils (ABV: 4.9%): An outstanding American representation of a fine European lager, Trumer Pils fulfills in every way possible. You can never go wrong with this Pale Ale. Made in the Bay Area, it transports you to Europe so well. With a slight kiss of green apple, slight bread, and a slight but enjoyable amount of sulfur, Trumer Pils is crisp, and all balanced in a neat ester package. With just the right amount of Noble hops and expensive malt, it wraps up an authentic lager style of Pale Ale.
• Narragansett Lager (ABV: 5%): Go-to pale lager for many global tippers, Narragansett is classic, clean, crisp, and refreshing, It is a perfectly balanced Pale Ale that was good enough for Quint in ‘Jaws’. Narragansett Lager on a hot summer day is smashing. However, it is not available in Colorado, USA. And so you will have to rely on friends to obtain it here if you want one.

Spoiled for Choice: Concluding IPA

Undoubtedly one of the favorite beers of Americans nowadays, we are really spoiled by choice with the amount of IPAs in the marketplace. However, many of the times the descriptive tags make it confusing which one to choose for the consumer.

The list above has tried to cover most major types of IPAs on the market nowadays. It is to help you navigate the minefield. Please let us know if we have missed your favorite, or an important type of IPA that should have been on the list.

But don’t forget to go forth and enjoy IPA style drinks as you can lay your hands on. You will love many of these IPAs if you really love hops. We have recently celebrated the National IPA Day on Aug. 4th, 2022, let the spirit linger on!