These dark ales are generally characterized by their brilliant balance of toasty malts and strong (yet subtle) hoppiness. Often lighter in body than a stout, though not by alcohol.
Robust Porter, SmuttyNose Brewery, Portsmouth NH 5.1%abv 5
Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO 4.7%abv 5
Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO 4.7%abv 5
Stouts as a rule are very dark in color, with roasty malts, a heavy body, and a strong and balanced hop content, but vary in range from sweet to dry. They are always easy drinking.
Oatmeal Stout, Samuel Smith Old Brewery, Tadcaster, UK 5%abv 6.5
Chocolate Stout, Rogue Brewing Co., Newport OR 6%abv 12.5
Expedition Stout, Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo MI 10.5%abv 6.5
Chocolate Stout, Rogue Brewing Co., Newport OR 6%abv 12.5
Expedition Stout, Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo MI 10.5%abv 6.5
Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeasts that fall to the bottom of the vessel during fermentation. This fermentation is done at cooler temperatures, around 41-48° from the yeasts working wore slowly and thoroughly through the malt sugars.
A catch-all category, these lagers boast a bit more malt backbone and overall character than their lighter sister styles.
Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brewing Co, Williamsburg, NY 5.2%abv 4.5
Yuengling Traditional Lager, Yuengling Brewery, Pottsville, PA 4.4%abv 4
Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pabst Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX 4.74%abv 3
Yuengling Traditional Lager, Yuengling Brewery, Pottsville, PA 4.4%abv 4
Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pabst Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX 4.74%abv 3
A bottom fermenting lager that generally takes extra months of lagering (cold storage) to smooth out such a strong brew. Stronger than your typical lager with more of a robust malt character.
Dead Guy Ale, Rogue Brewery, Newport, OR 6.5%abv 6.5
100% American. Made with a lager yeast that works at higher temperatures, this while showing a clean, round, and complex character.
Anchor Steam, Anchor Brewing Co., San Francisco, CA 5.5%abv 4.5
A traditional Bavarian style Dark Lager, made with Munich, Pils and German Roast malts and a variety of Bavarian hops.
Black Bavarian, Sprecher Brewery, Glendale, WI 5.5%abv 5
Dark brown to black. Medium body. Roasted malt evident. Low sweetness in aroma and flavor. Low to medium bitterness. Low bitterness from roast malt. Hop flavor and aroma.
Chateau Rogue Dirtior, Rogue Brewery, Newport, OR 5%abv 12
A clear beer with a bright straw yellow hue, and it has a prominent, but not an extreme, hoppiness. It is less bitter than the standard German lager beer, Pils. Furthermore, it is top-fermented at a relatively warm temperature, 55 to 70 degrees F and then cold conditioned.
Kenzinger, Philadelphia Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA 4.5%abv 3.5
Gaffel, Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker & Co, GER 4.8%abv 5
Gaffel, Privatbrauerei Gaffel Becker & Co, GER 4.8%abv 5
Light to straw in color . These lagers have a present hoppiness, while maintaining a good malt character, and are incredibly smooth and crisp.
Pilsner Urquell, Pilsen, Bohemia, Czech Republic 4.4%abv 4.5
Lionshead, Lion Brewery, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, PA 4.5%abv 3
Radeberger, Radeberger Brewery, Radeberg, Saxony, GER 4.8%abv 4.5
Lionshead, Lion Brewery, Inc., Wilkes-Barre, PA 4.5%abv 3
Radeberger, Radeberger Brewery, Radeberg, Saxony, GER 4.8%abv 4.5
Is unfiltered and unpasteurized, the maturation casks (or modern tanks) are bunged or capped just before the end of fermentation. This furthers the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas in the brew.
Pilzilla, Voodoo Brewing Co, Meadville, PA 6.7%abv 6
Typically light bodied, made from the fermented juice of apples or pears.
Original Sin Pear Cider, Original Sin Cidery, New York, NY 4.5%abv 5
Doc's Draft Hard Apple Cider, Warwick Valley Wine Co., Warwick NY 5%abv 6
Doc's Draft Hard Apple Cider, Warwick Valley Wine Co., Warwick NY 5%abv 6
Ales are brewed using top-fermenting yeasts, meaning the yeast rises to the top of the brewing vessel during fermentation. More often than not, this is also done at higher temperatures than Lagers, 60-75 degrees F, and needs less time for maturation. Ales are characterized by their subtlety, complexity, and fruitly / floral flavors and aromas.
Dead Guy Ale, Rogue, Newport, OR 6.5%abv 6.5
Amber Ale is a very general characterization, but these ales are balanced, with a concentration on their maltiness.
Hopback Amber, Troegs Brewing Co., Harrisburg, PA 6%abv 4.5
An unfiltered, German style of beer, with a high ratio of wheat that produces a cloudy appearance, and a palate and aroma that usually include bananas and cloves.
Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Hell, Franziskaner, Munich, GER 5.0%abv 6.5
Tucher Helles Hefe-Weisse, Tucher Brau, Nuremberg, GER 5.3%abv 6
Schneider Weisse Aventinus, G. Schneider & Sohn, Kelheim, GER 8%abv 8.5
Weihenstephan Hefe Wiessbier, Brauerei Weihenstephan, GER 5.1%abv 5
Tucher Helles Hefe-Weisse, Tucher Brau, Nuremberg, GER 5.3%abv 6
Schneider Weisse Aventinus, G. Schneider & Sohn, Kelheim, GER 8%abv 8.5
Weihenstephan Hefe Wiessbier, Brauerei Weihenstephan, GER 5.1%abv 5
An old German style of beer where the green malts are smoked over an open fire imparting a bit of a roasted meat character to these dark ales.
Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Marzen, Brauerei Heller-Trum/Schlenkerla, Bamberg, GER 5.4%abv 9
This style originated in 19th Century Burton, England, along the River Trent. Despite their name, Pale Ales are actually golden to amber in color, generally have a good malt-to-hop balance and a light, nutty flavor.
Dale's, Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, CO 6.5%abv 4.5
London Pride, Fuller's Brewery, London, ENG, UK 4.7%abv 5.5
Sly Fox 113, Sly Fox Brewery, Phoenixville, PA 5.5%abv 4
London Pride, Fuller's Brewery, London, ENG, UK 4.7%abv 5.5
Sly Fox 113, Sly Fox Brewery, Phoenixville, PA 5.5%abv 4
Originally brewed for the British troops in India, this golden to amber ale is similar to the Pale, but with quite a bit more hops, and a lot more complexity.
HopDevil, Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA 6.7%abv 5
Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA 5.7%abv 5
Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA 5.7%abv 5
Double the strength, a lot more hops, as well as a higher alcohol and malt content.
90min Imperial IPA, Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, DE 9%abv 6.5
Hop Wallop, Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown PA 8.5%abv 5.5
Unearthly, Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, NY 9.8%abv 12
Hop Wallop, Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown PA 8.5%abv 5.5
Unearthly, Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood, NY 9.8%abv 12
A more complex version of the original English Bitter (noted primarily for it's hop content and dryness), this brew is even higher in hops. But with great balance from a pronounced maltiness.
Boont ESB, Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Boonville, CA 6.8%abv 5.5
A new category of beers that are richer and more complex, with a higher alcohol content.
Arrogant Bastard, Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, CA 7.2%abv 9.5
Red Rocket, Bear Republic Brewing Co., Healdsburg, CA 6.8%abv 5
Red Rocket, Bear Republic Brewing Co., Healdsburg, CA 6.8%abv 5
Full-bodied strong ales known as "Wee Heavy", generally feature caramelized malts, a roasted malt flavor, and a rich brown color.
Old Chub, Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, CO 8%abv 5
The quintessential British session beer. Grainy to toasty malts might be present, but expect some body from the high dextrins produced in brewing. Low carbonation with a near still, bubbly head.
Old Engine Oil, Harviestoun Brewery, Alva , Scotland 6%abv 7
Hobgoblin, Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire, ENG 5.2%abv 7
Brawler, Yards Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA 5.2%abv 4
Hobgoblin, Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire, ENG 5.2%abv 7
Brawler, Yards Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA 5.2%abv 4
Light in color, these ales are strong in their alcohol content, with flavor profiles that are incredibly complex, and tend toward well balanced hops. These also feature flamboyant heads.
Duvel, Brouwerij Moortgat NV, Breendonk-Puurs, BEL 8.5%abv 7.5
Brooklyn Local 1, Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 9%abv 18
Delirium Tremens, Huyghe Brewery, Melle, BEL 9%abv 9
Inferno, Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA 8.5%abv 14.5
Damnation, Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA 7.75%abv 10.5
Brooklyn Local 1, Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 9%abv 18
Delirium Tremens, Huyghe Brewery, Melle, BEL 9%abv 9
Inferno, Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA 8.5%abv 14.5
Damnation, Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA 7.75%abv 10.5
Darker in color, these ales feature a higher alcohol content, higher complexity, and mostly roasted malt flavors.
Chimay Grande Reserve (Blue), Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont, BEL 9%abv 23
Rocherfort 10, Abbaye St- Remy, BEL 11.3%abv 11.5
Rocherfort 10, Abbaye St- Remy, BEL 11.3%abv 11.5
This usually dark, slightly sweet, ale is rich with maltiness, showing spicy characteristics and mild hops.
Chimay Premiere (Red), Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont, BEL 7%abv 9
Tripels are usually pale, with a spicy but sweet finish. They are high in alcohol, but hide it well.
La Fin du Monde, Unibroue, Chambly, Quebec, CAN 9%abv 6.5
Golden Monkey, Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA 9.5%abv 5.5
Westmalle Tripel, Abbaye Westmalle, BEL 9.5%abv 10
Golden Monkey, Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA 9.5%abv 5.5
Westmalle Tripel, Abbaye Westmalle, BEL 9.5%abv 10
The natural spice aromas of coriander and bitter orange peels are added during the brewing process.. The beer, which is not filtered, is bottled and refermented with yeast and brewing sugar.
Blanche De Bruxelles, Brasserie Lefebvre, BEL 4.5%abv 6
Walt Wit, Philadelphia Brewing, Philadelphia , PA 4.2%abv 3.5
Double White, Southampton Publick House, Southampton, NY 6.6%abv 5
Walt Wit, Philadelphia Brewing, Philadelphia , PA 4.2%abv 3.5
Double White, Southampton Publick House, Southampton, NY 6.6%abv 5
A Brettanomyces yeast strain gives these beers a fruity, sour and tart flavor. They are complex, aged in oak for a carmel-like, tannic acidity and often see blending of new and old batches. These ales vary in color depending on the brewing process.
Flemish Red, Brouweij Strubbe, Ichtegem, BEL 6.5%abv 9
Lembeek, Belgium is the birthplace of the use of "wild" yeasts and spontaneous fermentation. Brewers there still traditionally cool their brews in the attic of the brewhouse overnight with the windows open to invite wild yeasts to visit their brew. Many add fruit once fermentation has begun to sweeten the brew, creating an especially tasty beer.
Framboise, Lindeman's Farm Brewery, Vlezenbeek, Flanders, BEL 4%abv 9.5
A complex style from the southern French speaking part of Belgium. Saisons are pale, refreshingly crisp, and tart with a high hop content. They are distinctively orange, due perhaps to the spices added to the brew kettle (often anise, black pepper, and / or orange peel).
Rowhouse Red, Philadelphia Brewing Co, Philadelphia PA 5%abv 3.5
Color ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. Lower in alcohol than porter, medium to full body flavor.
Downtown Brown, Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe, Eureka, CA 5%abv 5
