Beer Basics

There are many styles and thousands of brands of beer made all around the world. All of these beers are characterised by regional influences and brewing traditions, as well as the different kinds of ingredients available – barley, malt, wheat, specialty malts or hops.

In this section you can find out more about our major beer styles and their characteristics through our beer spectrum (below), brush up on the beer making process and discover all the terms you need to know to talk about beer with confidence when you’re next at the pub!

Beer Spectrum

A comparison of beer types

STOUT

  • Taste: Bitter, Rich
  • Odour: Caramel, Burnt

DARK ALE

  • Taste: Bitter, Sweet, Rich
  • Odour: Fruity, Caramel

GOLDEN ALE

  • Taste: Astringent, Bitter, Sweet
  • Odour: Estery, Fruity, Cereal

WHEAT BEER

  • Taste: Carbonation
  • Odour: Estery, Fruity, Phenolic

PILSENER

  • Taste: Bitter
  • Odour:  Floral, Hoppy, Grainy, Malty

LAGER:

  • Taste: Bitter, Sweet
  • Odour: Hoppy, Cereal