Beer Types & Styles Flashcards
(36 cards)
How does beer relate to yeast?
The type of yeast is what makes ales and lagers different. From wikipedia, Yeasts are eukaryotic (any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus), single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae–the strain that is used in baking, etc.–converts carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and alcohols through the process of fermentation.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is the process in which a substance breaks down into a simpler substance, typically involving effervescence (bubbles in a liquid; fizz) and the giving off of heat. It is the process of sugars being broken down by enzymes of microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.
What is lager?
They are also known as “bottom fermented beers”. The strains are fermented in cold temperatures which I guess causes them to work at the bottom during the fermentation process. Lagers are crisp and dry and can quench thirst. Oktoberfest beer is usually a lager.
What is a pale lager?
The normal, light ones. They also pair well with food. (Budweiser, Foster’s)
What is a pilsner beer?
Usually lighter colored than pale lager, made in 19th century Europe, also good with food. Pale lagers and pilsners are somewhat interchangeable. (Budweiser, Modelo, Stella Artois - some refer to Stella as a pale lager but some refer to it as a pilsner)
What are Ambers/Red Lagers?
When brewers use malted barley (Malted barley, or malt, is the brewer’s preferred grain for making beer. In its most basic form, it is barley that has been allowed to germinate by soaking the grain in water. Germinate is the process of sprouting/developing in plants/seeds) that’s been toasted until it starts to brown, it turns the color a reddish/brown. They can be crisp like pale lagers and pilsners but they have toast, toffee, and caramel aromas. (Fat Tire, Bell’s Amber Ale)
What are Ales?
Ales are the other main type of beer. Unlike lagers, ales are made with yeast that ferment in warm (room) temperatures. So they’re sometimes called “top-fermented beers”. There are many strains of ale yeast. Some are fruity, which is usually a synonym for estery. Esters represent the largest group of flavor compounds in alcoholic beverages, generating the “fruity” aromas in beer (not including, of course, the direct addition of fruit and fruit flavors in certain beers).
What is the ale fermentation process like?
During fermentation, especially warm fermentation, yeast will synthesize esters, organic compounds with aromatics that we often associate with fruit. Some yeast strains are earthy. Typically quite sour and funky, and sometimes aged in oak barrels, earthy brews possess intensely rustic qualities; many show horsey, farmy, earthy, barnyardy, and leathery notes. But because ale’s range from fruity to earth, it’s hard to generalize. Brown ale and wheat ales are very different but still consider ale.
What is cream ale?
Light in color and not that bitter. Closest type of ale to a lager. (Genesee, True North Ale)
What is Kolsch?
Fermented with ale yeast, but then finished in cold temperatures like a lager, kolsch beers are lighter ales.
What are pale ales?
English pale ale (also known as bitters) is a type of pale ale. (London Pride, Hens Tooth) Pale ales taste malty and earthy and bitter. American pale ales (Zombie Dust, Born Yesterday, Sierra Nevada, Half-Acre Daisy Cutter) are slightly more fruity, and more hoppy. The beers that are most likely to be described as “hoppy” are the ones with the most bitter flavor or the ones that have fruity, floral aromas.
What are dark beers?
Dark beers, like porters and stouts, are dominated by the taste of the malt component, so they would never be described as “hoppy”. Stouts and Porters are technically ales (top fermented) but regarded in their own category. Deep roasty flavors of chocolate and coffee. Mostly sweet and not bitter, with some exceptions. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH DARK ALES.
What is Belgian Ale?
Belgian ales (Allagash White, other white ales, New Belgian Abbey) are less hoppy but more sweet, but can be spicy.
What are blonde ales and golden ales?
Blonde ales and golden ales (Kona Big Wave, Summer Love by Victory Brewing) are also technically pale ales. Blonde/golden ales have a low malt sweetness, medium to high carbonation with a frothy head, and a low to medium bitterness.
What is beer head?
Beer head is the frothy foam on top of beer and carbonated beverages which is produced by bubbles of gas, predominantly carbon dioxide, rising to the surface. The elements that produce the head are wort protein, yeast and hop residue.
What is India Pale Ale?
Known for being bitter. They were made in England in the 19th century and were made extra hoppy and strong to survive the ocean journey to India. India Pale Ales typically have more alcohol than other pale ales. Go well with foods that contain fat or are spicy. (Two-Hearted Ale, Hazy Little Thing, Stone IPA)
What are dark ales?
Lighter/drier and more fruity than regular ales. Can potentially be spicy but contains sweet fruit aromas like apple or raisins. (Ground Breaker Dark Ale, Wychwood Hobgoblin Strong Dark Ale)
What is brown ale?
English beers with a nutty taste. Goes well with deserts (Newcastle Brown Ale, Manns Original Brown Ale)
What is wheat beer?
Wheat unfiltered beer is a top-fermented beer which is brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. When wheat is added in beer it gives it a more foamy head. “Beer head” is the frothy foam on top of beer and carbonated beverages which is produced by bubbles of gas, predominantly carbon dioxide. Some wheat beers give the aroma of a banana or bubble gum. They can range in color from pale straw to deep brown: Hefeweizen is the German term for wheat beers. (312, Oberon, Samuel Adams Summer Ale)
What is special about Belgian style ales?
Kind of their own category because there’s so many beers made in Belgium, despite it being a tiny country in Europe. Could range from sour red ales (Bacteria gives sour beers their distinctive taste, while yeast adds the funky and earthy quality) to brown ales to powerful abbey beers. Abbey beers are made in traditional Trappist styles (Based on Trappist monks of a catholic religious order), but may not actually brewed within the walls of a monastery (a place where monks live). Many Abbey beer labels will feature monks or other ecclesiastical motifs but it does not guarantee that they were actually brewed within a religious order. (Duvel, Blue Moon (also a wheat ale), Witbier, the Belgian beers I listed above)
What are farmhouse ales?
A Saison beer, also known as a Farmhouse Ale, emerged from the small town of Wallonia in the French-speaking area of Belgium. ‘Saison’, meaning ‘season’ in French, was originally created as a refreshing drink for farmers during the warm summers.
What is an oatmeal stout/porter?
Made with oatmeal, which makes the beer thicker. Can be nutty and earthy. (Founder’s Breakfast Stout, Firestone Walker Velvet Merlin Oatmeal Stout)
What is an imperial stout and porter?
Also known as Russian imperial stouts and Baltic porters (were originally brewed in 18th century England for transport across the Baltic Sea). “Imperial refers to the old Russian Empire, where these big-tasting brews were a favourite of Catherine the Great herself. To this day, they remain quite heavy and strongly flavoured.” (Old Rasputin, Three Floyds Alpha Klaus, Founders Porter)
What is a fruit beer?
Just beer with more fruit in it. Usually strawberries, cherries or limes are used. (Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Beer, Michelob Ultra Infusions Lime & Prickly Pear Cactus)
