Click here to download  the Pocket Beer Guide.     Beer Styles
This handy guide will help you choose the right beer style to enhance any food occasion.  The most popular varieties of both lagers and ales are described below.

Lagers
Lagers are fermented with bottom-fermenting lager yeast at cooler temperatures than those used to ferment ales, typically producing a drier, crisper beer with less fruity characteristics. Ales The fruity, estery taste of ales is created by combining top-fermenting ale yeast and warmer temperatures.   LAGERS
TASTE:  Balance of hops and malt with a crisp, dry finish.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Perfect contrast to Thai, Pan Asian, Latin Fusion, Mexican, Peruvian and other spicy cuisines.   TASTE:  Most popular style worldwide.  Very refreshing and thirst quenching.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Complements lemongrass, ginger, garlic, cilantro and similar flavors; adds depth to light dishes such as spring rolls and salads.   TASTE:  Pronounced hops aroma and bitterness with a refreshing finish.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Works well with salmon, tuna and other high fact oily fish and with marbled meats;  bitterness offers pleasing contrast with sweet reductions and sauces.   TASTE:  Roasted malty sweetness with well balanced , dry bitterness.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Sweetness pairs well with sun-dried tomatoes and tomato reduction sauces; balanced hopping complements foods flavor with basil and oregano.   TASTE:  Mildly hopped with complex malt character.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Carmelization of malts compliments that of chargrilled and seared meats.   TASTE:  Rich sweet caramels and warm, toasty flavors.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Sweetness balances strong spice components and intense flavors of Cajun, jerk, slow roasted and seared foods.

    ALES   TASTE:  Unfiltered ale with orange, citrus and coriander aromas.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Complements salads with light citrus dressings and feta or goat cheese as well as ceviches and other light, citrus flavored dishes.   TASTE:  Unfiltered ale with unique clove and banana aroma.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Classically paired with weisswurst (white sausage); refreshing character contrasts with pungent, intense aromatics such as mustard flavors, pickles, horseradish and cured meats.   TASTE:  Very refreshing slightly tart flavor with subtle citrus aroma.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Complements the lighter elements of foods like seared scallops and oil-cooked garlic shrimp while adding a refreshing contrast.   TASTE:  Smooth, malty sweetness and balanced bitterness.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Pairs perfectly with sweet, hot and spicy foods including many Asian dishes, chili and mango jalapeño salsa.   TASTE:  Malty sweetness balanced with hoppy bitterness.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Hops bitterness contrasts with spicy, heat-charred smokey or aromatic flavors such as those in Stilton and blue cheese.   TASTE:  Substantial maltiness and pronounced hoppy aroma and flavor.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Complements intensely flavorful, highly spiced dishes like curry and bold, sweet desserts like flourless chocolate cake and crème brule.   TASTE:  Sweet caramel notes and citrusy aromas with a smooth finish.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Complements rich, aromatic, spicy and smokey foods such as chili, BBQ ribs, grilled chicken and beef.   TASTE:  Malty flavored balanced with hints of caramel and chocolate.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Stands up to roasted pork, smoked sausage, plank-grilled salmon and other hearty foods;  complements the nutty flavors of chicken satay, cashew chicken, nut encrusted meats, pecan pie and peanut sauces.   TASTE:  Roasted flavor complemented nutty and toffee characteristics.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Works well with smoked meats, especially bacon; complements chocolate-, espresso- and coffee-flavored desserts and soft, creamy blue cheeses like Gorgonzola and Cabrales.    TASTE:  Prevalent chocolate and coffee flavors.
FOOD PAIRINGS:  Highlights the nuttiness and braised, caramelized character of dishes with brown, savory sauces;  complements silky, salty foods like oysters on the half shell.

  We would like to thank Here's to Beer for furnishing this content. Want to learn more about beer styles? Attend Beer School by clicking here, or navigate to the Learning section of BC Online and click on Beer School.