Beer Styles – info for the craft beer drinker
Hopefully the following info will help you to decide what type or style of beer that you like. There are so many styles of beer and it would be impossible to list them all in this post but here is a selection of popular styles that Melwood like and brew currently. The latter styles we have plans to brew in the future although we don’t think we’ll be brewing Mild any time soon as we find that there is very little demand for this style of beer so this is included just for info!
So here goes….
English Pale Ale (EPA)
English Bitter
American Pale Ale (APA)
This style is now popular worldwide and uses American hops, which are becoming very popular. There is usually a good balance of malt and hops and they tend to be fruity with bitterness that can range from lightly floral to pungent.
Melwood’s APAs: Whiter Shade of Pale, Liberty, Lovelight, Sunshine Daydream
Amber / Red Ale
Blonde Ale
Wheat Beer
Brown Ale
Brown Ales tend to be maltier and sweeter and range from reddish brown to dark brown. Brewed using brown malt, they usually have a low hop aroma and bitterness
English India Pale Ale (IPA)
English Stout
English Porter
Oatmeal Stout
Saison
Saisons were farmhouse ales that were traditionally brewed in the winter and are a complex style; many are very fruity in the aroma and flavour. Lots of spice and with a medium bitterness. They tend to be semi-dry with many only having touch of sweetness.
Witbier
A Belgian Style ale that’s very pale and cloudy in appearance due to it being unfiltered and the high level of wheat, and sometimes oats, that’s used in the mash. Always spiced, generally with coriander, orange peel and other oddball spices or herbs in the back ground. . Often referred to as “white beers” (witbieren) due to the cloudiness / yeast in suspension.