A Beginner’s Guide to Beers

When exploring the wide world of beer there is a lot to know, but a few basics will have you well on your way. There are two types of beer and several styles, are you familiar with them? Most people have one or two beer styles – if not brands- they tend to stick to, but exploring the differences and what sets each apart can be an exhilarating experience.

When talking about beer there is black, white and grey. All beers fit into one of two types and from there several styles are derived. Lager, a bottom fermenting yeast that prefers cooler temperatures and a longer fermentation, offers a crisper and cleaner finish as opposed to ale that offers a faster speed of production and a warmer brewing temperature.

The flavour you will find in a particular brew is largely defined by the stage of malting that the barley attains. Both lagers and ales can be made in a lighter style with examples such as Alexander Keith’s IPA, Kronenbourg 1664, Labatt Blue and Budweiser. Heavier styles also exist on both ends however there is a wider selection of ales than porters.

Beers around the world are either created by small, artisanal or craft brewers or from a large brewery that has been established for a significant amount of time and often has a long line of well recognized brands. What you are looking for in a brew will often lead you to one or the other. On the one hand (at least here in Ontario) there are the big breweries that you can depend on for consistency of product, or there are the craft brewhouses that are generally willing to experiment with their offerings a little more.

So there you have a short synopsis of beer around here. It is not in the destination but rather the journey that matters when it comes to exploring something new. Hopefully through this article you have a deeper understanding of just what gets poured into that pint at the pub. Regardless of whether you prefer a pilsner or a porter, there is a beer for everyone. Enjoy the journey to finding your pint of perfection.