Why Understanding Beer Styles Matters
Walking into a beer festival with 200+ options can be overwhelming. Understanding basic beer styles gives you a framework for navigating the chaos, helps you communicate with pourers about what you like, and allows you to strategically plan your tasting journey.
The Two Great Families: Ales vs. Lagers
All beers fall into one of two categories based on the type of yeast used:
Ales (Top-Fermented)
- Fermented at warmer temperatures (60-75°F)
- Yeast rises to the top during fermentation
- Generally more complex, fruity flavors
- Includes: IPAs, stouts, porters, wheat beers, Belgians
Lagers (Bottom-Fermented)
- Fermented at cooler temperatures (35-50°F)
- Yeast sinks to the bottom during fermentation
- Generally cleaner, crisper flavors
- Includes: Pilsners, bocks, märzens, Munich-style lagers
Light and Refreshing Styles
Pilsner
What to expect: Crisp, clean, refreshing with noble hop character
ABV: 4-5.5%
Best for: Starting your festival session, hot weather
If you like: Bud/Miller/Coors, try: German or Czech Pilsner
Wheat Beer / Hefeweizen
What to expect: Cloudy, fruity (banana), spicy (clove), refreshing
ABV: 4-5.5%
Best for: Those who find most beer too bitter
If you like: Blue Moon, try: Authentic German Hefeweizen
Kölsch
What to expect: Light, slightly fruity, very clean finish
ABV: 4-5%
Best for: A sophisticated alternative to light lagers
Festival tip: Great palate cleanser between intense beers
Hoppy Styles
Pale Ale
What to expect: Balanced malt and hops, approachable bitterness
ABV: 4.5-6%
Best for: Your first step into craft beer
Festival tip: A good "baseline" to compare other styles against
IPA (India Pale Ale)
What to expect: Bold hop flavor and aroma, significant bitterness
ABV: 5.5-7.5%
Sub-styles: West Coast (bitter, piney), New England/Hazy (juicy, smooth), Session (lower ABV)
Double/Imperial IPA
What to expect: Intense hop character, higher alcohol, often sweeter malt backbone
ABV: 7.5-10%+
Festival tip: Save these for later in your session
Malty and Amber Styles
Amber/Red Ale
What to expect: Caramel sweetness, balanced bitterness, toasty notes
ABV: 4.5-6%
Best for: Those who find IPAs too bitter
Festival tip: Excellent bridge between light and dark beers
Brown Ale
What to expect: Nutty, chocolatey, mild hop character
ABV: 4-6%
Best for: Easy-drinking comfort beer
Märzen/Oktoberfest
What to expect: Rich, toasty malt, clean lager finish
ABV: 5-6%
Best for: Fall festivals, pairs excellently with food
Dark Styles
Porter
What to expect: Chocolate, coffee, roasted flavors; medium body
ABV: 4-6%
Best for: Introduction to dark beers
Festival tip: Often more approachable than stouts
Stout
What to expect: Roasted, coffee-like, ranging from dry to sweet
ABV: 4-7% (up to 15%+ for imperials)
Sub-styles: Irish Dry, Milk/Sweet, Oatmeal, Imperial, Pastry
Imperial Stout
What to expect: Intense roasted flavors, high alcohol, often barrel-aged
ABV: 8-15%
Festival tip: End-of-session beers; pace yourself!
Belgian and Farmhouse Styles
Belgian Blonde/Golden Strong
What to expect: Fruity, spicy yeast character; deceptively strong
ABV: 6-9%
Warning: These go down easy despite high ABV
Saison/Farmhouse Ale
What to expect: Dry, spicy, fruity, highly carbonated, refreshing
ABV: 5-8%
Best for: Those who want something different
Belgian Dubbel/Tripel/Quadrupel
What to expect: Complex, fruity, spicy; increasing strength
ABV: 6-12%
Festival tip: Excellent food pairing beers
Sour and Wild Styles
Berliner Weisse / Gose
What to expect: Tart, refreshing, often fruited; low alcohol
ABV: 3-5%
Best for: Sour-curious beginners, hot weather
Flanders Red/Oud Bruin
What to expect: Complex sourness, fruity, wine-like
ABV: 5-8%
Festival tip: If you like red wine, try these
Lambic/Gueuze
What to expect: Funky, tart, complex; wild yeast fermentation
ABV: 5-7%
Best for: Adventurous drinkers seeking something truly unique
Festival Tasting Strategy by Style
- Start: Pilsners, Kölsch, wheat beers
- Progress: Pale ales, ambers, saisons
- Peak: IPAs, Belgians, sours
- Finish: Stouts, barrel-aged beers, imperials
Armed with this knowledge, you'll navigate any festival floor with confidence. Don't be afraid to ask pourers questions – they love sharing their passion. Happy tasting! 🍺