What Are The Most Famous and Important Types of Beer in The World?

From hoppy blondes to full-bodied darks, the world of beer offers a variety of styles that satisfy every taste and palate. You have surely sat down in a pub, restaurant or brewery to find yourself with a complex menu in front of you, without having the slightest idea of ​​what those words next to the names of the beers mean. Let's start by saying that there is no global agreement on how many beer styles there are, or even on which styles belong to each family, we only know that there are a lot of them. It's time to learn more because the world of beer is varied and fascinating: let's try to recognize the fundamental beer styles, those that every enthusiast must know perfectly.

What Are the Most Popular Beer Styles?

We are forced to talk about "most famous styles" because in theory beer can be made in infinite ways and there are infinite recognized styles. Currently there are about 400 different types of beer around the world so it is impossible to catalog them all. Asking for "a blonde" means nothing from a technical point of view. The waiter can guess that you are looking for a low-alcohol lager but only because the convention, especially dictated by advertising, makes us think of that type of beer.

1. Lager

The most popular beer in the world, characterized by a pale color, a light body and a refreshing taste. Born in Germany in the 16th century, Lager beers range from sweet to bitter and from light to dark. Most Lagers are pale (light) or intermediate in color, with high carbonation, medium to high hop flavor, and an alcohol content of 3–5% by volume. Within this style we find several varieties. The most famous are Pilsner, Helles, Dunkel and Bock. It is the beer par excellence to accompany pizza, also excellent with light main dishes and delicate fish courses.

2. Ale

Ales are a type of top-fermented beer. This means that during the production process the yeast used ferments at high temperatures, between 12 and 23 degrees. Because of these higher temperatures, fermentation occurs more quickly than bottom-fermented beers and the yeast tends to rise to the surface. The result is a sweet, full- bodied, fruity flavor. The vast majority of ales contain herbs or spices, usually hops or balsamic, to provide a bitter aroma that balances the sweetness of the malt. Originally from England, it pairs very well with spicy dishes, red meat, and mature cheeses. Some popular examples of ales are  pale ales,  IPAs (Indian Pale Ales), and Belgian ales.

3. Wheat

As you can guess from the name, we return to Germany. This type, also known as weissbier or weisse, is a top-fermented wheat beer and is characterized by an opaque yellow color, a light body and a spicy taste. Its main characteristic is the use of a percentage of wheat (usually 50% to 70%) in addition to barley malt. They originate from Bavaria and are an excellent choice for those who want a light and refreshing beer. They are perfect to enjoy during the summer or as an aperitif. They pair well with fish dishes, white meat and fresh cheeses. The most famous Weizen are Hefeweizen and Dunkelweizen.

4. Lambic

Lambic beers are a type of spontaneously fermented beer, brewed in Belgium, in the Pajottenland region, southwest of Brussels. Their main characteristic is the use of wild yeasts and bacteria present in the air of the Senne valley for fermentation, which gives them a complex taste. The most famous types of lambic are Gueuze, Kriek and Faro, they pair very well with blue cheeses and fruit-based desserts. They are considered by many enthusiasts to be one of the most complex and interesting beers in the world.

5. Porter

Porter beers are a style of dark, top-fermented beer that originated in London in the 18th century. Their name comes from the porters who drank them to refresh themselves and refuel during their hard work. Porter beers are made with roasted malts, which give them their characteristic dark color and peaty flavor. In some cases, hops are also used to add a light bitterness. It is one of the most complex styles for those who are not used to drinking it because the serving temperature is around 12 °C, higher than average. Excellent with red meat dishes, mature cheeses and chocolate desserts.

6. Stout

They are dark, top-fermented beers, born in England in the 18th century, which became famous thanks to Ireland, thanks to one company in particular. They have a common lineage with Porters, from which they differ for a more robust character and a more intense taste. The term "stout" in English means "robust", "tenacious" and, in relation to beer, takes on the meaning of "strong". Produced with roasted malts, in particular with roasted barley malt, which gives them their characteristic black color and intense flavor. In some cases, hops are also used to add a more pronounced bitterness. The pairings we recommend are the same as for porters precisely because of the similar taste characteristics.