Beer Styles

Beer is a fermented beverage brewed in vats or casks. The two main categories that define most beer are lager and ale. The distinction between the categories is based on how the beer is brewed and how the yeast ferments.

Lager - Ferments at a lower temperature than ale and the yeast settles on the bottom of the brewing vessel. A longer brewing process than ale produces fewer by-products and results in a smooth, mild flavor. Types of lager include:

• Pilsner
• Dopplebocks
• Oktoberfests

Ale - Ferments at a higher temperature than lager, making the process quicker (about a week or less), and the yeast rises to the top of the brew. The by-product of ale's yeast is called "esters" which produce aromas of fruit and flowers. Types of ale include:

• Porters
• Stouts