THE BEERS
​The more you know, the better. Especially about beer. Here at Shakesbeer, we not only sell this wondrous liquid but give you the low-down on the different types.
Ales
Brewed with top fermenting yeast at cellar temperature, ales are fuller-bodied, with nuances of fruit or spice and a pleasantly hoppy finish. Generally robust and complex with a variety of fruit and malt aromas, ales come in many varieties. They could include Bitters, Milds, Abbey Ales, Pale Ales, Nut Browns, etc.
Ales are often darker than lagers, ranging from rich gold to reddish amber. Top fermenting, and more hops in the wort gives these beers a distinctive fruitfulness, acidity and pleasantly bitter seasoning. Ales have a more assertive, individual personality than lager, though their alcoholic strength is the same.
Details
Alcohol content - ranging from 4% to 7%
Popular brands - Hoegaarden, Sierra Nevada, Ommegang
Lagers
Lager originates from the German word lagern which means 'to store' – it refers to the method of storing it for several months in near-freezing temperatures. Crisp and refreshing with a smooth finish from longer aging, lagers are the world's most popular beer (this includes pilseners).
A lager, which can range from sweet to bitter and pale to black, is usually used to describe bottom-fermented brews of Dutch, German, and Czech styles. Most, however, are a pale to medium colour, have high carbonation, and a medium to high hop flavour.
Details
Alcohol content - ranging from 3% to 6%
Popular brands - Stella Artois, Corona, Heineken
Stouts
Stout, not as sweet to the taste, features a rich, creamy head and is flavoured and coloured by barley. Stouts often use a portion of unmalted roasted barley to develop a dark, slightly astringent, coffee-like character.
Details
Alcohol content - ranging from 5% to 10%
Popular Brands - Dogfish Head, Guinness, Allagash
Porters
Porter is a dark, almost black, fruity-dry, top fermenting style. An ale, porter is brewed with a combination of roasted malt to impart flavour, colour and aroma.
Details
Alcohol content - ranging from 5% to 10%
Popular Brands - Founders, Deschutes, Anchor
Malts
Generally dark and sweeter in flavour, malts contain hints of caramel, toffee, and nuts. They can be light to full bodied.
Details
Alcohol content - ranging from 5% to 10%
Popular Brands - Colt 45, Olde English, Steel Reserve