Beer Guide

Here is a simple guide to help you determine which of your favourite beer varieties are ales or lagers (if nothing else, it could help you look like an expert on your next night out)! I will add more varieties as I come across, but for now, this is a good place to start our education.

Ales:

Golden or Blonde Beers: aromatic and fruity tasting (think Amsterdam Blonde or Rickard's Blonde)

India Pale Ales (IPA): strong and bitter in their truest form (Boneshaker IPA is a good example)

Pale Ales: golden with medium maltiness (Alexander Keith's is a popular option)

Porters: dark and full-flavoured (Mill Street Coffee Porter is a delicious example)

Stouts: strong and full-bodied, often described as winter beers (St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout will keep you warm in those cold months)

Whites: fruity with hints or orange and coriander (popularized by Hoegaarden)

Lagers:

Bocks: dark beers made from primarily of wheat (Creemore Urbock is an Ontario version), there are a wide variety of bock lagers

Pilsners: hoppy and golden in colour (Steamwhistle sticks to tradition and uses only four ingredients to make their pilsner)

You can learn more at Bend Brewfest.