There are so many different kinds of beer out there that it can be hard to know where to start. One of the most popular types of beer among drinkers is the pilsner, which in turn is divided into several sub-types like American, Czech, and German pilsner. Learn about all these different brews along with American lager and other options you'll have at our brewery from our guide.
What's the Difference Between American, German, and Czech Pilsner?
Czech Pilsner
The beer that we know today as pilsner has its origins in Bohemia, known in the present day as the Czech Republic, where it was originally brewed in 1842 in the town of Plzeň (known in English as Pilsen). The beer became an instant success and was quickly adapted by other brewers all over the world, who each brought their own unique take on what a pilsner could be.
With its roots in the traditional Bohemian pilsners that popularized this drink all over the world, today's Czech pilsners have a full body and flavor notes of toasted malt and spicy hops. The slightly caramelized hops used in brewing this style of beer results in a deeper color than other styles of pilsner usually have.
German Pilsner
Pilsner may have its roots in Bohemia and the modern-day Czech Republic, but the German pilsner is what most beer aficionados all over the world think of when they hear the word pilsner. German Noble hops such as Hersbruck and Hallertau are often used in the production of these beers to give them the iconic taste that beer drinkers know and love.
The difference in ingredients results in this pilsner being thinner in texture and lighter in color than the Czech pilsner. With a light, beautiful color, resplendent clarity, and a foamy head, it is surely one of the best-looking beers in the world. The clean taste that has a perfect balance of different flavors makes this beer as good to sip on as it is to see.
American Pilsner
Last of our trio of pilsners, but certainly not least, is the American pilsner. Sometimes referred to instead as an American pale lager, this type of beer was brought to the country by German immigrants but has evolved since into something distinctly
American. It is often brewed from ingredients that were historically abundant in the Americas, such as corn and North American hops.
There are two distinct subtypes of an American pilsner. Craft breweries have revived the classic American pilsner that became rare because of the prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century, which has a refreshing, crisp flavor and an enjoyable malt taste. The other sub-type is the mass produced pilsners favored by big American beer companies, which has a softer, somewhat watered-down flavor.
Other Kinds of Beer
There are, quite literally, thousands of different kinds of beer out there. We can't cover every one of them in our guide, so you'll have to do a little exploring on your own. To get you started, here are some of the most popular types of beer out there, aside from the three different types of pilsner already discussed.
Indian Pale Ale
Better known as an IPA, this type of beer has seen an explosion in popularity due to its prominence on the craft beer scene. Although it's wildly popular now, this type of beer has historic roots going back to the 18th century. It was invented by the British, with the name coming from the fact that it was formulated to travel across seas better than other beers of the time. This made it popular the world over, including in India.
IPAs are characterized by their very hoppy flavor that gives a bitter taste when you drink it. This is often accompanied by piney or floral flavors that add extra dimension to the experience of sipping on this kind of beer. Another trait of an IPA is its typically higher-than-average alcohol content, usually somewhere around six percent by volume.
American Lager
We already covered American pilsners, but that's not the only kind of beer the United States is known for. American lager is another popular kind of drink in this country. Light in flavor and color, this kind of lager is made to be produced in large batches to make enough beer to go around. It has a fairly low average alcohol content, typically rating in at about three or four percent by volume. As is the style in America, this beer is best enjoyed when it's cold.
Porter
Dark in color, porters are clearly recognizable for their distinctive look with the contrast between the blackish-brown body and the thick, foamy head. The two most popular types of porter are American porters and English porters.
The dark color of these drinks is paired with flavors that are reminiscent of chocolate, caramel, or coffee. These flavor notes help this beer complement savory dishes perfectly. Pairing a strong porter with some smoky barbecue or a strong cheese like Asiago will help bring out the best flavors of both the beer and your food.
Stout
Another dark beer, stout dates back to a document from 1677, which named the beer after its strength and potency. This term was later used to distinguish stouts from porters, with ‘stout porter' referring to the more powerful of the drinks. That legacy still continues to this day, as this beer tends to have a higher-than-average alcohol percentage.
Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, stouts tend to have stronger roasted flavors compared to porters. The lack of an overpowering bitter flavor in an American stout helps the chocolate and coffee notes stand out even more than they would in other dark beers.
Wheat Beer
As the name suggests, wheat beers use wheat as the malt that goes into the brew. This gives them a light, golden color that makes them instantly recognizable to fans of the drink. They tend to have a lighter alcohol content to match their lighter color, and the mild flavor makes it the perfect beer to add seasonal fruits to.
There are several different varieties of wheat beer. Belgian witbier, for example, takes its name from its extremely light, almost white color. American pale wheat beer has a light bready flavor that pairs great with spicy food.
What Drink is Right for Me?
Wondering where to begin to find the right beer for you? The best advice you can keep in mind is not to limit your options. You're only going to find out what you like by trying out plenty of different varieties. It's good to have reliable old favorites, but never be afraid to try something new either. Ordering a sampler of different beers when you're out is a great way to expand your beer horizons.
Find out everything that beer can be when you stop in for a drink at our brewery. You'll get great beer and great hospitality to match. Stop in at Lowercase Brewing and we'll take care of you!
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