Enjoyed by millions of people across the globe and suitable for any occasion, beer is one of the most popular and widely consumed alcoholic beverages in the world. There are thousands of different styles and brands of beer produced in just about every country in the world. Here are some of the most common styles of beer:
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Lager: By far the most popular style, lager is generally pale yellow with a subtle grain aroma. While hop levels are low, carbonation is high. Lager is refreshing and thirst-quenching, perfect for a hot day. Because it doesn’t have a strong flavour, it pairs with just about any dish.
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Pilsner: This beer is pale gold and clear, with a spicier, more floral hop aroma than lager. It's crisp and refreshing with a complex maltiness, getting its bitterness from Czech hops called Saaz hops.
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Stout: Dark and rich, stout is made with deeply roasted malt, resulting in a dark brown to jet black colour, with espresso, bitter chocolate, or burnt bread flavours. Try it with soups and stews, roasts, or after dinner paired with dessert.
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IPA: India Pale Ale (IPA) has a colour similar (or slightly darker) to that of other pale ales, but has a much more concentrated hop aroma and flavour. The assertive flavour of an IPA can cut through rich and fatty foods like red meat, cheese, and other strong flavours.
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Weiss: Made with more wheat instead of barley, Weiss beer is fruity and rich with a zesty, orange-citrusy flavour accented by coriander and other spices, as well as a bright golden colour. These lighter, more herbal beers go well with chicken and fish, salads, pasta and fruit.
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Ale: Ales tend to be flavourful, more robust and complex beers. You’ll usually find fruitier and more aromatic flavours and they can often have stronger, more bitter notes on the palate.
Still not sure which is the right beer for you? There are five main categories to choose from when buying beer at Ultra Liquors: craft beer, flavoured beer, mainstream beer, non-alcoholic beer and premium beer.
Craft beer is produced by smaller, independently owned breweries and is often made using traditional and varied brewing techniques. Top craft beer brands to look out for include Devil’s Peak and Jack Black.
Flavoured beer is usually a light beer that is brewed with additional flavourings, often creating a sweeter flavour profile. Top flavoured beers to look out for include Amstel Radler and Flying Fish.
Mainstream beers are produced by large brewing corporations and enjoyed by a large and diverse segment of beer drinkers. Top mainstream beers to look out for include Castle, Black Label and Amstel.
Non-alcoholic beer is beer that is produced to have little or no alcohol content while still maintaining the traditional beer taste. Top brands to look out for include Castle Free and Heineken 0.0.
Premium beers at Ultra Liquors include some of the most sought-after international beer brands. Top Premium beer brands to look out for include Corona and Heineken.
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