A Periodic Table of Beer Styles
ALES
LAGERS
MIXED STYLES
- Wheat Beer
- Lambic & Sour Ale
- Belgian Ale
- Pale Ale
- English Bitter
- Scottish Ale
- Brown Ale
- Porter
- Stout
- Pilsner
- American Lager
- European Lager
- Bock
- Alt
- French Ale
- German Amber Ale
- American Special
- Smoked Beer
- Barley Wine
- Strong Ale
I
II
III
1.026-1.036
1.006-1.009
Berliner weisse
Light body. Refreshing. Slightly fruity. Sour. Low influence of hop.
Schultheiss Berliner Weisse, Berliner Kindl Weisse
2.5-3.6
3-12
1.044-1.056
1.006-1.012
Lambic
The most unusual sour-tasting beer with very little hop aroma.
Grand Cru Cantillon Bruocsella 1900, Boon, De Neve
4.7-6.4
5-15
1.065-1.085
1.014-1.020
Belgian gold ale
Fruity. Soft malt aroma. Spice aroma. Low bitterness.
Duvel, Lucifer, La Chouffe, Moinette, Celis Grand Cru
7.0-9.0
25-35
1.042-1.055
1.008-1.012
Belgian white
Refreshing. Cloudy. Spiced with coriander and orange peel. Low bitterness.
Celis White, Hoegaarden White, Blanche de Bruges
4.5-5.5
15-28
1.044-1.056
1.006-1.012
Geuze
Blend of young and old lambic beers.
Lindeman's Geuze Lambic, Belle-Vue Gueuze, Boon, Canillon, Hanssens
4.7-6.4
5-15
1.070-1.100
1.016-1.024
Tripel
Light/pale color, balanced malt and hop aroma. Sweetish. High alcohol content.
Westmalle Tripel, Affligem Tripel, Grimbergen Tripel
7.0-10.0
20-30
IV
XI
XII
XIII
1.035-1.055
1.008-1.018
American wheat
Usually clear in contrast to most other wheat beers. Slightly tart. Very refreshing.
Samuel Adams Summer Ale, Catamount American Wheat
3.5-5.0
5-20
1.040-1.056
1.006-1.012
Faro
Sweetened version of lambic.
Lindeman's
4.5-5.5
5-15
1.052-1.080
1.010-1.015
Saison
Fruity. Complex aroma and flavor of high alcohol, herbs, and spices. Moderate hop aroma and flavor.
Saison Dupont, Moinette, Laforet
4.5-8.1
25-40
1.043-1.056
1.008-1.016
Pale ale
Low to medium maltiness. High hop bitterness. Medium hop profile.
Draught Bass, Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale
4.5-5.5
20-40
V
VI
VII
—— IX ——
X
1.024-1.040
1.002-1.008
American lite
Little to no malt aroma. Very low in hops. Crisp and dry. Refreshing.
Bud Light, Miller Light
2.9-4.5
8-15
1.044-1.50
1.008-1.012
Munich helles
Mildly hopped and mildly malty. Fuller body than most lagers.
Black Forest Lager, Spaten Premium Lager
4.5-5.6
18-25
1.066-1.074
1.011-1.020
Helles bock
Malty. Mildly hopped. Relatively high alcohol level.
Wuerzburger Maibock, Spaten Premium Bock, Pschorr Märzenbock
6.0-7.5
20-35
1.040-1.056
1.008-1.016
Weizenbier
Notable clove and banana aroma from German wheat yeast. Fruity. Cloudy. Low hop profile.
Herdinger Weissbier, Pyramid wheaten ale, Julius Echter Weizenbier
4.3-5.6
8-15
1.040-1.072
1.008-1.016
Fruit beer
Taste and aroma depend on fruit(s) used. Usually dry and winey. Not all fruit beers are lambic based.
Belle-Vue Kriek, Lindeman's Framboise Lambic
4.7-7.0
15-21
1.040-1.055
1.008-1.013
Belgian pale ale
Low bitterness. Low malt aroma. Slightly fruity and sour.
Celis Pale Bock, DeKoninck Special Palm Ale, Ginder Ale
3.9-5.6
20-35
1.045-1.056
1.010-1.015
American pale ale
Medium maltiness. High hop bitterness. Medium flavor and aroma from American hop varieties.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Summit Pale Ale, Geary's Pale Ale
4.5-5.7
20-40
1.030-1.038
1.006-1.012
Ordinary bitter
Low carbonation. Low to medium maltiness. Mild hop flavor and aroma.
Young's Bitter, HBS Premium Bitter
3.0-3.8
20-35
1.030-1.035
1.006-1.012
Scottish light 60/-
Low carbonation. Medium maltiness. Low bitterness. Medium to no hop flavor and aroma. Light smoky/toasty character.
Belhaven 60/-, Caledonian 60/-, Maclay 60/- Light, Highland Dark Light
2.8-4.0
9-20
1.030-1.038
1.004-1.012
English mild
Light brown. Mild maltiness. Low alcohol. Low hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma. Light body.
Bank's Mild, Fuller's Summer Ale
2.5-4.1
10-24
VIII
1.035-1.050
1.008-1.014
Dry stout
Roasted barley and malt aromas are prominents. Some sourness. Hop aroma medium to none.
Guiness Draught Stout, Murphy's Stout, Beamish Stout
3.2-5.5
30-50
1.050-1.075
1.010-1.017
Foreign extra stout
Roasted grain aroma and flavor are prominent. Flavor range from sweet to dry. Hop aroma and flavor very low. Fruity.
ABC Stout, Guiness Foreign Extra Stout
5.0-7.5
35-70
1.044-1.050
1.006-1.012
German pilsner
Medium to high hop flavor and aroma. Low maltiness. Crisp, dry, and bitter. Refreshing.
Kulmbacher Moenchshof Pils, Jever Pils, Wickuler Pilsner
4.6-5.4
25-45
1.040-1.046
1.006-1.010
American standard
Similar to American light but darker.
Budweiser, Molson Golden, Kirin
4.1-4.8
5-17
1.048-1.056
1.010-1.014
Dortmunder
Smooth. Medium malty sweetness. Medium hop aroma and flavor.
Dortmunder Gold, DAB Original, Berghoff Original Lager
5.1-6.1
23-29
1.074-1.080
1.020-1.028
Doppelbock
Intense maltiness. Little hop aroma and flavor. Touch of roastiness. A very strong, rich lager.
Paulaner Salvator, Spaten Optimator
6.6-7.9
20-30
1.048-1.056
1.008-1.016
Dunkel-weizen
Low clove and banana aroma. Malty. Low bitterness. Low hop aroma.
Franziskaner Dunkelweizen, Schenider Dunkel Weiss
4.5-6.0
10-15
1.042-1.060
1.008-1.016
Flanders red ale
Fruity. Malty. Slightly sour. Low hop profile.
Rodenbach, Petrus, Bourgone des Flanders, Vlaamse Bourgogne
4.0-5.8
14-25
1.065-1.098
1.014-1.024
Belgian dark ale
Fruity. Malty. Bitter. High alcohol content.
Pawel Kwak, Gourden Carolus, Scaldis, Rocherfort 10, Chimay Grande Réserve
7.0-12.0
25-40
1.050-1.075
1.012-1.018
India pale ale
Medium maltiness. High hop bitterness. High hop flavor and aroma.
Anchor Liberty Ale, Samuel Smith's India Ale, Fuller IPA
5.1-7.6
40-60
1.039-1.045
1.006-1.014
Special bitter
Low carbonation. More malty and higher alcohol than ordinaty bitter. Nice bitterness.
Young's Ramrod, Fuller's London Pride
3.7-4.8
25-40
1.035-1.040
1.010-1.014
Scottish heavy 70/-
Low carbonation. Moderate hop profile. Mild smoky character.
Greenmantle Ale, Highland Heavy, Young's Scotch Ale
3.5-4.1
12-25
1.040-1.055
1.010-1.018
American brown
Medium maltiness. High hop bitterness, flavor and aroma.
Pete's Wicked Ale, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Shipyard Moos Brown
4.2-6.0
25-60
1.040-1.050
1.008-1.014
Brown porter
Moderate roastiness. Moderate bitterness. Hop flavor and aroma low to none.
Samuel Smith Taddy Porter, Fuller's London Porter
3.8-5.2
20-30
1.035-1.066
1.010-1.022
Sweet stout
Overall sweet character. Roasted grains dominate the flavor. Some fruitiness.
Mackeson's XXX Stout, Samuel Adams Cream Stout
3.2-6.4
20-40
1.075-1.090
1.020-1.030
Imperial stout
Fruity with intense roastiness and maltiness. Evident hop aroma and flavor. High alcohol level.
Samuel Smith Imperial Stout, Courage Imperial Stout
7.8-9.0
50-80
1.044-1.056
1.014-1.020
Bohemian pilsner
Malty, with a distinctive floral and spicy Saaz hop bouquet. Crisp and refreshing.
Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus Pilsner, Budweiser Budvar
4.1-5.1
35-45
1.046-1.050
1.010-1.014
American premium
Darker version of American standard
Michelob
4.6-5.1
13-23
1.052-1.056
1.010-1.014
Munich dunkel
Munich malt aroma and flavor. Mild hop flavor.
Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel, Hacker Pschorr Alt Munich Dark
4.8-5.4
16-25
1.066-1.074
1.018-1.024
Traditional bock
Rich and complex maltiness. No hop aroma and flavor.
Aass Bock, Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel Bock, Dunkel Ritter Bock, Boiler Room Red
6.4-7.6
20-30
1.066-1.080
1.016-1.028
Weizenbock
Malty. Low bitterness. Clove and banana aroma from German wheat yeast.
Schneider Aventinus, Pyramid Weizenbock
6.5-9.6
12-25
1.042-1.060
1.008-1.016
Oud bruin
Fruity. Malty. Sherry wine-like. Slightly sour. Very little hop aroma and flavor.
Liefman's Goudenband, Felix, Roman
4.0-6.5
14-30
1.065-1.085
1.012-1.018
Dubbel
Rich malt aroma. Light to none hop aroma. Full body. Low bitterness.
Westmalle Dubbel, LaTrappe Dubbel, Affligem Dubbel
3.2-8.0
20-25
1.043-1.056
1.008-1.016
American amber ale
Medium maltiness. Mild to strong flavor and aroma from American hop varieties. Notable caramel flavor.
Big Time Atlas Amber, Bell's Amber, North Coast Red Seal Ale
4.5-5.7
20-40
1.046-1.065
1.010-1.018
Extra special bitter
Low carbonation. Very strong bitterness. Malty. High hop aroma and flavor.
Fuller's ESB, Young's Special London Ale
3.7-4.8
30-45
1.040-1.050
1.010-1.018
Scottish export 80/-
Low carbonation. Very malty. Medium bitterness. Medium to no hop flavor and aroma. Mild smoky/toasty character.
Highland Severe, Orkney Dark Island, Sherlock's Home Piper's Bride
4.0-4.9
15-36
1.040-1.050
1.008-1.014
English brown
Sweet and malty. Light caramel flavor. Low hop profile. Some fruitiness.
Newcastle Brown Ale, Samuel Smith Nut Brown
3.5-6.0
15-25
1.050-1.065
1.012-1.016
Robust porter
Roasted malt (coffee-like) aroma and flavor. Hop flavor and aroma moderate to low.
Sierra Nevada Porter, Anchor Porter
4.8-6.0
25-45
1.035-1.060
1.008-1.021
Oatmeal stout
Mild roasted grain aromas. Low hop aroma. Flavor medium sweet with the complexity of roasted grains. Some fruitiness.
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, Young's Oatmeal Stout, Brew Moon Eclipse
3.3-6.1
20-50
1.075-1.100
1.018-1.030
Imperial Russian stout
Similar to imperial stout but has higher alcohol level and bitterness.
Harvey & Son's Imperial Extra Double Stout
8.0-12.0
50-90
1.045-1.060
1.012-1.018
American pilsner
Medium to high maltiness. Slight sweetness. Medium to high hop aroma and flavor. Refreshing.
Pete's Signature Pilsner, Milwaukee Pilsner
5.0-6.0
20-40
1.040-1.050
1.008-1.012
American dark
Malty. Some roasted malt flavor. Low hops.
Michelob Dark, Lowenbrau Dark, Beck's Dark, Saint Pauli Girl Dark
4.1-5.6
14-20
1.044-1.052
1.012-1.016
Schwarzbier
Malt and roasted malt aroma and flavor. Low hop aroma. Bitterness from roasted malt.
Kulmbacher Mönchschof Kloster Schwarzbier
3.8-5.0
22-30
1.090-1.116
1.023-1.035
Eisbock
Aroma and flavor dominated by rich malt and concentrated alcohol. No hop aroma ald flavor. An extremely strong lager.
Niagara Eisbock
8.7-14.4
25-50
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
XX
1.042-1.046
1.006-1.010
Kölsch
Low maltiness. Light hop aroma and flavor from German noble or Saaz hops.
Malzmuehle, Hellers, Hollywood Blonde
4.8-5.2
20-30
1.060-1.080
1.012-1.016
Bière de garde
Malty and slightly fruity. Low hoppiness. Medium to strong alcohol level.
Jenlain, Castelain, Septante Cinq, Brasseurs Bière de Garde
4.5-8.0
20-30
1.050-1.056
1.012-1.016
Oktoberfest
Very flavorful. Distinct German malt aroma and flavor. Moderate hop bitterness and flavor.
Spaten Ur-Märzen, Ayinger Oktoberfest-Märzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest, Wuerzburger Oktoberfest
5.1-6.5
18-30
1.044-1.055
1.007-1.010
Cream ale
Low hop aroma and bittering. Low maltiness. Light and refreshing.
Genesee Cream Ale, Little Kings Cream Ale
4.5-6.0
10-35
1.050-1.055
1.012-1.016
Smoked beer
Sweetish and malty. Similar to Oktoberfest style with evident smoked character. Low hop aroma and flavor.
Schlenkerla Rauchbier
5.0-5.5
20-30
XIX
1.060-1.090
1.015-1.022
English old (strong) ale
Well aged. Malty and fruity. High alcohol. Low hop.
Theakston Old Peculier, Young's Winter Warmer, Marston Owd Roger
6.1-8.5
30-40
1.044-1.048
1.008-1.014
Altbier
Malt dominates all aromas and flavors. High hop bitterness.
DAB Dark, Diebels Alt, Alaskan Amber, Grolsch Autumn Amber
4.6-5.1
25-48
1.048-1.056
1.010-1.014
Vienna
Dark German malt aroma. Hop bitterness is moderate.
Negra Modelo, Portland Lager, Leinenkugel Red
4.6-5.5
20-28
1.040-1.055
1.012-1.018
Steam beer
Malty, balanced with hop bitterness. Woody (Northern Brewer) hop flavor.
Anchor Steam, Old Dominion Victor Amber
3.6-5.0
35-45
1.085-1.120
1.024-1.032
Barleywine
Fruity and malty. High hop aroma and flavor. High alcohol content.
Young's Old Nick, Fuller's Golden Pride, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
8.4-12.2
50-100
1.072-1.085
1.016-1.028
Strong “scotch” ale
Malty with caramel apparent. Hint of roasted malt of smoky flavor. Low hop flavor.
Traquair House, MacAndrew's Scotch Ale
6.0-9.0
20-40