There are two great types of beer according to its level of fermentation:
ale (high fermentation).
Lager (low fermentation).
There are also other classifications that attend to the preparation ingredients or some particular characteristic of the process, such as hybrid beers.
On the other hand, the types of craft beer They also respond to the previous classifications. What varies in this case is that since it is not an industrial process, the amounts of drink available are more limited compared to the large commercial brands. Also, the organoleptic characteristics of the beer may be slightly different as there is room for experimentation.
The name beer comes from the Latin cervêsia, which apparently comes from Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. However, there is much controversy about it, since for some philologists the term does not come from the Romans, but from the Celts.
Types of beers according to their fermentation Types of special beers Types of beers according to their color
ale (high fermentation):
Lager (low fermentation):
Lambic.
hybrid beers:
Rauchbier
steinbier
steam beer
Types of beer according to their fermentation
Depending on whether the fermentation is low or high, the beers are classified as:
beers ale
The term Ale is used for the family of beers that are subjected to high-temperature fermentation, a process that can last from three days to two weeks, depending on the manufacturer. After fermentation, it follows a process that can be cold or hot maturation, or a second fermentation.
Some varieties of Ale beer are:
ipa: It is characterized by its copper color and its high hop content that give it a characteristic flavor. It has fruity notes.
Pale Ale: blonde beer, hops flavored with spices and notes of nuts.
Stout: dark beer with malty notes and a high alcohol content.
Porter: dark beer with notes of chocolate and toasted cereals.
beers Lager
The beers Lager They are characterized by having a fermentation at low temperatures and a maturation process at zero degrees that can last weeks or months. The longer the cold maturation time, the more character the final product will have.
The cold fermentation and maturation technique was already applied in some areas of Europe during the Middle Ages. Back then, beer was stored in high, cool places like mountain caves, to prevent the high summer temperatures from damaging the product.
Subsequently, the advances achieved in the mid-nineteenth century by Louis Pasteur in his research on yeasts, and the creation of the first refrigeration systems resulted in a progressive industrialization in the world of beers.
Some varieties of beer Lagerare:
Pilsen: It is the most popular type of beer in the world. It is golden, light and matures for two months.
Marzen: It is the beer that is traditionally served at Oktoberfest, in Germany. It is coppery in color and has a strong flavor.
Bock: is the Lager darker and stronger. In many places in Germany it is drunk during the winter.
special beers
In addition to categories ale and Lager, there are other varieties of beers that, although they are not as well known by the mass public, are highly valued among connoisseurs given their characteristic ingredients or processes. Some of them are:
lambic
They are beers to which no yeast is added, but are left to ferment with yeast from the environment. This implies that the process is more difficult to control, since production times can be variable and last for months or years.
Spontaneously fermented beers are known as lambic, and owe their name to the Lambeek region, in Brussels, where they are made. They are characterized because old hops are used, which lacks bitterness, and mixed fruits are added. In addition, they are made with malted barley and raw wheat.
All of these unusual processes result in an exotic beer, which in turn is used as a base for re-fermenting or brewing other beers. In order to be considered a lambic young, the beer must be at least six months old.
hybrid beers
Hybrid beers are those that combine techniques, processes or ingredients in their preparation. Generally, they are made in particular geographical areas.
Among the special beers, stand out
Rauchbier: the beer is fermented with the heat of the beech wood embers. It is made in Bavaria, Germany.
steinbier: the wort extracted from the malt is poured over hot stones that give it a smoky flavor. It is produced in Bavaria.
steam beer: It is an American beer that combines the yeasts of a Lager with the high temperatures of a ale.
Blonde, red and black beers
Although it is a popular classification, the categorization of beers according to their color does not have another component beyond the chromatic criterion, since there are no particular parameters for them to be of one color or another.
A ale it can be blond, red or black, in the same way that it can be light or full-bodied and bitter or slightly sweet in taste. The same goes for the Lager. It is the ingredients and processes that influence the categorization and final product.
See also Types of tea.