15 Types of Beer to Order at the Pub

Craft beer — Now you'll know exactly what to expect from that flight. Susumu Yoshioka / Getty Images

Beer isn’t just a beverage. It’s a craft, a culture, and for many, a passion.

With so many types of beer, from light bodied ales to barrel aged beers, understanding the broad landscape of beer styles can elevate your appreciation.

Here are 15 different brew types that every beer enthusiast should know.

1. Pale Ale

A classic beer style pale ale known for balanced hop flavor and malt sweetness, the American Pale Ale tends to have bold hop flavors, while the English Pale Ale leans more on traditional and subdued English hop varieties.

2. India Pale Ale (IPA)

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Famous for intense hop bitterness and aroma, the IPA includes substyles like American IPA, Double IPA, and Hazy IPA. Great with spicy foods.

3. Blonde Ale

A light beers category staple, the blonde ale offers a crisp taste, mild hop character, and smooth finish — ideal for those seeking an easy-drinking beer.

4. Wheat Beer

Made with a significant proportion of wheat, this style includes German style Hefeweizens and Belgian-style Witbiers. Expect fruity esters and a soft, creamy mouthfeel.

5. Brown Ale

Available as American Brown Ale or English Brown Ale, this dark brown beer delivers rich malt character and hints of chocolate or caramel.

6. Amber Ale

Often referred to as American Amber Ale, this medium-amber beer balances caramel malt sweetness with a moderate hop presence, and it pairs excellently with grilled/roasted meats and fried foods.

7. Porter

This one is a robust, dark brown beer with flavors of chocolate and roasted coffee. American Imperial Porter and English Brown Porter are common subtypes, offering complex flavors and a roasted malt aroma.

8. Stout

Stouts range from the dry, bitter Irish Dry Stout to sweet, dessert-like versions like Milk Stout, Sweet Stout, and Oatmeal Stout. These beers often feature unmalted roasted barley and pair well with desserts or hearty dishes.

9. Sour Ale

This sour beer category includes Belgian style Lambics and American craft beer variants with puckering tartness, often brewed with fruit for added depth.

10. Fruit Beer

Fruit beers are brewed with everything from cherries to raspberries, offering a wide range of flavor profiles from tart to sweet. It's popular in both specialty beers and seasonal lines.

11. Smoke Beer

Also known as rauchbier, this style features roasted malt dried over open wood flames. Its distinctive quality makes it perfect for pairing with roasted meats.

12. Coffee Beer

Made by adding roasted coffee during brewing, coffee beer often takes the form of stouts or porters and appeals to fans of bold flavors and dark brews.

13. Chocolate Beer

Brewed with real cocoa or chocolate malt, chocolate beer enhances malty sweetness and pairs well with desserts. It's not uncommon in craft beer collections.

14. Pumpkin Beer

A fall favorite among specialty beers, pumpkin beer incorporates seasonal spices and real pumpkin for a rich, nostalgic taste.

15. Gluten-free Beer

Gluten-free beer is brewed with alternative grains (such as sorghum, rice, or buckwheat) instead of barley or wheat, ensuring no gluten is present from start to finish — an excellent option for beer drinkers with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.