Types of Beer: A Complete Guide to All Major Styles

Beer today is more diverse than at any point in history. Step into any Seattle tasting room — especially in the Ballard brewery district — and you’ll find crisp lagers, juicy IPAs, smooth stouts, funky sours, and specialty beers brewed with everything from fruit to coffee to oak barrels. With so many choices, knowing the main beer categories helps you explore confidently and understand what’s in your glass.

This guide breaks down every major beer type, explains the flavor expectations, and highlights how these styles show up in modern craft brewing.

The Two Main Categories: Ales & Lagers

Every beer ultimately belongs to one of two families:

1. ALES (Warm-Fermented, Fruity, Expressive)

Ales ferment at warmer temperatures using top-fermenting yeast.This produces:

• fruitier flavors

• spicier notes

• bigger aromatics

• fuller mouthfeel

Ales make up most craft beer styles.

2. LAGERS (Cold-Fermented, Clean, Crisp, Smooth)

Lagers ferment at cooler temperatures using bottom-fermenting yeast.This creates:

• clean and subtle flavors

• crisp finishes

• smooth, balanced profiles

Lagers dominate mainstream beer, but craft lagers are now rising quickly — especially in Seattle.

Major Ale Styles (With Flavor Notes)

1. Pale Ale

A cornerstone of American craft beer.

Flavor: balanced, mildly bitter, citrusy, refreshing

Examples: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, NW Pale Ales in Seattle

Best for: beginners exploring hops

2. IPA (India Pale Ale)

The most iconic craft beer style.

Flavor: strong hop aroma, citrus, pine, tropical fruit, bold bitterness

Types:

• West Coast IPA

• Hazy IPA

• Double IPA

• Session IPA

Seattle breweries excel at all of these.

3. Brown Ale

Smooth, malty, slightly sweet.

Flavor: caramel, toffee, nutty tones

Best for: those who want flavor without heaviness

4. Porter

Dark but approachable.

Flavor: chocolate, light roast, smooth body

Difference from stout: porters use roasted malts, not roasted barley

5. Stout

Thicker, deeper, and more intense than porters.

Flavor: coffee, chocolate, roasted notes, creaminess

Common types:

• Dry stout

• Oatmeal stout

• Milk stout

• Imperial stout

Popular seasonal release across Seattle.

6. Wheat Beer / Hefeweizen

Soft and refreshing.

Flavor: banana, clove, breadiness

Best for: summer, food pairing

7. Belgian Ales

Complex and aromatic.

Flavor: fruity esters, spice, pepper, herbal notes

Types:

• Belgian tripel

• Belgian dubbel

• Saison

These styles are loved by beer enthusiasts for complexity.

8. Sour & Wild Ales

Craft beer’s most adventurous styles.

Flavor: tart, fruity, funky, acidic

Types:

• Gose

• Berliner Weisse

• Lambic

• Mixed fermentation ales

Seattle breweries often experiment boldly in this category.

Major Lager Styles (With Flavor Notes)

1. Pilsner

The king of lagers — bright, crisp, refreshing.

Flavor: floral, herbal hops, clean finish

Types: Czech, German, American

2. Helles Lager

Soft, malty, smooth.

Flavor: bread-like malt, low bitterness

Best for: easy drinking

3. Vienna Lager

Amber-colored, malty-sweet.

Flavor: toasted grain, balanced bitterness

Great for: fall weather, hearty meals

4. Dunkel (Dark Lager)

Smooth and dark but not heavy.

Flavor: caramel, chocolate, toasted bread

Best for: winter without stout heaviness

5. American Lager

Widely available mass-market lagers.

Flavor: clean, light, mild

Examples: Coors, Budweiser, Miller

Craft breweries now create higher-quality versions of this style.

Specialty Beer Styles Worth Knowing

1. Hybrid Styles

These combine ale & lager characteristics.

Examples:

• Kölsch

• Steam beer (California Common)

2. Barrel-Aged Beers

Ales aged in bourbon, wine, rum, or oak barrels.

Flavor: vanilla, oak, dark fruit, caramel, bourbon warmth

3. Fruit Beers

Ales or sours brewed with fruit.

Flavor: berry, citrus, tropical, tart or sweetVery popular in the Pacific Northwest.

4. Non-Alcoholic Beers

Craft NA brewing is booming.

Flavor: varies by style but improving rapidlySeattle retailers often stock premium NA options.

How to Choose the Right Beer Style (Simple Guide)

Want crisp & refreshing?

→ Pilsner, Helles, Kölsch

Want fruity & flavorful?

→ Pale ale, IPA, Belgian ale

Want dark & rich?

→ Porter, stout, dunkel

Want sour or tart?

→ Gose, Berliner Weisse, mixed fermentation ales

Want easy drinking?

→ American lager, blonde ale

How Beer Styles Show Up in Seattle & Ballard

Seattle is one of the most diverse beer regions in the U.S.

Ballard breweries are known for:

• world-class hazy IPAs

• traditional lagers with modern craft twists

• strong stout programs

• fruit-forward sours

• experimental barrel-aged releases

Whether you prefer crisp pilsners or hazy IPAs, Ballard Beer Box showcases this range beautifully with rotating taps and curated cans.

FAQ

Q1 How many types of beer are there?

Hundreds. But most fall into two families: ales and lagers.

Q2 Is lager stronger than ale?

No — strength depends on alcohol content, not style.

Q3 Are IPAs a type of ale?

Yes, all IPAs are ales.

Q4 What style is best for beginners?

Try lagers, wheat beers, or pale ales.

Q5 What style is healthiest?

Lower-ABV beers, regardless of style, are easier on the body.

Conclusion

Understanding beer styles transforms the way you experience beer. When you know the difference between ales and lagers, recognize what defines an IPA, or understand why stouts taste roasted and rich, tap lists stop feeling overwhelming and start feeling inviting. Whether your preference leans toward crisp pilsners, hop-forward IPAs, smooth lagers, or complex stouts, a basic grasp of beer families helps you order with confidence and explore more intentionally.

Seattle’s craft beer scene — especially in Ballard — brings these styles to life better than almost anywhere else. From classic West Coast IPAs to modern hazy brews, thoughtfully crafted lagers, experimental sours, and seasonal stouts, the variety reflects both tradition and innovation. Ballard Beer Box is the perfect place to experience this diversity firsthand, with rotating taps that showcase standout local and regional beers across every major style. Pair your beer with Parrot King Pizza, made with slow-fermented organic dough and bold toppings designed to complement everything from crisp lagers to rich stouts. Whether you’re learning your preferences or refining them, Ballard Beer Box invites you to drink better, discover more, and enjoy the heart of Ballard’s beer culture.