This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I use and love. Read the full disclosure here
Beer is one of the oldest and most diverse beverages in the world, with styles ranging from light and crisp to dark and complex. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a true beer enthusiast, understanding the different styles can enhance your appreciation and help you find new favorites.
From hoppy ales to malty lagers, these 20 essential beer styles showcase the variety and richness of the brewing world.
1. Pilsner
Pilsners are crisp, refreshing, and light-bodied lagers with a distinct hoppy bite. Originating in the Czech Republic, this style is known for its golden color, bright carbonation, and slightly bitter finish.
The clean malt backbone allows the floral and spicy hop flavors to shine. Popular pilsners include Pilsner Urquell, Bitburger, and Stella Artois.
This style is perfect for hot days, pairing well with light foods like seafood, salads, and grilled chicken.
2. India Pale Ale (IPA)
IPAs are hop-forward ales with bold flavors and varying bitterness levels. Originally brewed with extra hops to survive long voyages, modern IPAs come in multiple substyles, including West Coast, New England (hazy), and session IPAs.
They can be citrusy, piney, fruity, or even dank, depending on the hops used. Well-known IPAs include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Stone IPA, and Bell’s Two Hearted.
They pair well with spicy foods, burgers, and strong cheeses.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
3. Stout
Stouts are dark, rich beers known for their deep roasted malt flavors and creamy mouthfeel. They can range from dry and bitter, like Guinness, to sweet and chocolatey, like milk stouts.
Imperial stouts have higher alcohol content and intense flavors, making them great for sipping. These beers often feature notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel, making them a great match for barbecue, oysters, or desserts.
4. Porter
Porters are dark ales with a balanced mix of roasted malt sweetness and mild bitterness. They originated in England and have a slightly lighter body than stouts but share similar flavor profiles, including chocolate, caramel, and nutty notes.
Classic examples include Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter and Founders Porter. These beers pair well with smoked meats, grilled vegetables, and chocolate desserts.
5. Hefeweizen
Hefeweizens are traditional German wheat beers known for their hazy appearance and banana-clove aroma. The yeast used in fermentation gives them their signature fruity and spicy notes, while the wheat base makes them smooth and refreshing.
Top picks include Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier and Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier. They’re great with sausages, soft pretzels, and seafood.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
6. Belgian Tripel
Belgian Tripels are strong, golden ales with a balance of sweetness, spice, and subtle hop bitterness.
They typically have fruity esters, peppery phenols, and a slightly boozy warmth. The carbonation adds a crisp finish that makes them dangerously drinkable.
Famous examples include Westmalle Tripel and Chimay White. These pair well with roast chicken, shellfish, and creamy cheeses.
7. Amber Ale
Amber ales sit between pale ales and brown ales, offering a malty sweetness with a touch of hop bitterness. Their caramel and toasty flavors make them approachable for those new to craft beer.
They can be American-style (hoppier) or English-style (maltier). Popular examples include Fat Tire Amber Ale and Bell’s Amber. They’re fantastic with burgers, roasted meats, and grilled cheese.
8. Barleywine
Barleywines are high-alcohol ales with intense malt sweetness and complex flavors. They can be English-style (more caramel and toffee) or American-style (hoppier with more bitterness).
These beers often improve with age, developing sherry-like notes over time. Examples include Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and Anchor Old Foghorn.
Best enjoyed with strong cheeses, roasted meats, or as a dessert beer.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
9. Saison
Saisons are farmhouse ales with a dry, fruity, and spicy character. Originally brewed for Belgian farmworkers, they often feature notes of citrus, black pepper, and herbs.
They’re highly carbonated and refreshing. Well-known saisons include Saison Dupont and Ommegang Hennepin.
They pair beautifully with charcuterie, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
10. Brown Ale
Brown ales are smooth, malt-forward beers with nutty, caramel, and toasty flavors. They come in English and American styles, with the latter being hoppier.
Despite their darker color, they’re usually easy-drinking and medium-bodied. Newcastle Brown Ale and Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale are classic choices.
They go well with barbecue, roasted nuts, and hearty stews.
11. Dunkel
Dunkels are dark German lagers with a smooth maltiness and subtle roasted notes. They’re not as heavy as stouts or porters but still offer a toasty, slightly sweet character.
Think of them as the darker cousin to the pilsner. Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel is a great example.
These beers complement bratwurst, roast pork, and soft pretzels.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
12. Doppelbock
Doppelbocks are strong, malty lagers originally brewed by monks as “liquid bread” during fasting. They’re rich, smooth, and slightly sweet, often featuring caramel, toffee, and dark fruit flavors.
Paulaner Salvator and Ayinger Celebrator are classic examples. These beers shine alongside roasted meats, aged cheeses, and desserts.
13. Kölsch
Kölsch is a light, crisp, and slightly fruity German ale that drinks like a lager. It’s fermented with ale yeast but conditioned at cooler temperatures, resulting in a clean and refreshing taste with a subtle fruitiness.
Reissdorf Kölsch and Gaffel Kölsch are excellent examples. This style pairs well with salads, seafood, and light pasta dishes.
14. Gose
Gose is a slightly sour German wheat beer with a touch of salt and coriander. Its tart, citrusy profile makes it highly refreshing.
Originally brewed in Leipzig, it’s now popular in craft beer circles. Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose and Westbrook Gose are standout choices.
These beers pair well with ceviche, goat cheese, and fresh fruit.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
15. Berliner Weisse
HeBerliner Weisse is a low-alcohol, tart wheat beer often served with fruit syrups. Its bright acidity and light body make it incredibly refreshing. Some versions are brewed with fruit for natural sweetness.
Classic examples include Bayerischer Bahnhof Berliner Weisse and White Rascal. Try it with fresh fruit, salads, or seafood.
16. Rauchbier
Rauchbier is a smoked lager that delivers bold, campfire-like flavors. The malt is dried over an open flame, creating an intense smoky character.
This style is a must-try for adventurous beer lovers. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier is a top example.
It pairs well with smoked meats, grilled sausages, and sharp cheeses.
17. Lambic
Lambics are wild-fermented Belgian ales known for their funky, tart, and complex flavors. They’re often blended with fruit, like cherries (kriek) or raspberries (framboise), to create unique variations.
Cantillon and Boon make some of the best traditional lambics. These beers pair well with rich cheeses, duck, and chocolate desserts.
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
18. Schwarzbier
Schwarzbier is a dark German lager that’s surprisingly light-bodied. Despite its color, it’s smooth and easy to drink, with mild roasted malt flavors and a clean finish.
Köstritzer Schwarzbier is a classic example. It pairs well with bratwurst, roasted chicken, and grilled mushrooms.
19. Belgian Dubbel
Belgian Dubbels are rich, dark ales with deep caramel, dark fruit, and spicy yeast notes. They often have a smooth maltiness balanced by subtle hop bitterness.
The yeast imparts flavors of clove, banana, and dried fruit like raisins and figs. Classic examples include Chimay Red and Westmalle Dubbel.
These beers pair wonderfully with roasted meats, stews, and nutty cheeses.
20. American Pale Ale (APA)
American Pale Ales are hoppy yet balanced beers with a moderate malt backbone. Compared to IPAs, they are less bitter but still showcase bright citrus, pine, and floral hop notes.
They are crisp, refreshing, and versatile. Notable APAs include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Deschutes Mirror Pond.
They’re great with fried foods, grilled chicken, and tacos. Whether you’re a craft beer newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, these 20 beer styles provide a solid foundation to explore the world of brewing.
Enjoy discovering new flavors and pairings!
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.
More from Bullock’s Buzz
- 22 Budget Bourbons That Sip Like They Belong on the Top Shelf
- 18 Everyday Foods That Help Keep Blood Sugar Levels in Check
- 21 Diabetes-Friendly Foods You Should Be Eating Every Day
- 21 Foods That Can Spike Blood Pressure—And What to Eat Instead
- 26 Easter Side Dishes That Deserve a Spot on Your Spring Table
Like Bullock’s Buzz’s content? Follow us on MSN.