German wheat beers make a useful detective exercise because the grain name tells only part of the story. A cloudy golden glass, a clear golden gla
Continue ReadingSaison and Witbier Explained: Distinctive Belgian Yeast-Driven Styles
A peppery beer does not necessarily contain pepper. A citrusy one might contain peel, hops or fermentation-derived aromas. Saison and witbier turn
Continue ReadingBelgian Abbey Ales Explained: Dubbel, Tripel, and Trappist Beer
The dark beer is called dubbel. The pale one is called tripel and may be stronger. Belgian abbey ales quickly unsettle the idea that color and pow
Continue ReadingIPA Explained: West Coast, Double IPA, Hazy IPA, and Other Styles
The first IPA looks clear and amber, then finishes crisply bitter. The second is pale and cloudy, smells intensely fruity and feels softer. With I
Continue ReadingAmerican Pale and Amber Ales Explained: Modern Hop-Driven Beer Styles
Make a pale ale a little darker and you have an amber ale, right? Sometimes the colors overlap enough to encourage that idea. American pale and am
Continue ReadingBritish Bitter and German Altbier Explained: Traditional Hop-Driven Ales
A beer called bitter may seem gentle beside a modern IPA. A beer called alt, or old, may arrive fresh and beautifully clear. Bitter and altbier re
Continue ReadingPilsner and Modern Hopped Lagers Explained: Czech, German, and Contemporary Styles
One golden lager has a rounded bread-and-herb balance. Another finishes sharply dry and bitter. A third smells of lime or tropical fruit. Pilsner
Continue ReadingStrong Malt-Driven Ales Explained: Imperial Stout, Barley Wine, and Scotch Ale
Two strong ales can have similar alcohol but almost opposite personalities: one tastes of roasted grain, another of rich bread and fruit. Strong m
Continue ReadingPorter and Stout Explained: How Dark Beers Get Their Character
A black beer can be dry and relatively light. Another can be sweet and creamy. A third can put citrusy hops beside roasted grain. Porter and stout
Continue ReadingRed and Brown Ales Explained: Irish Red, British Brown, and American Brown Ale
A red ale offers a little caramel at first, then finishes unexpectedly dry. A brown ale smells nutty without containing nuts. Red and brown ales a
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