Ale is a type of beer that is fermented at warm temperatures with a top rising brewers yeast. There are a wide variety of ales which cater to a number of tastes, and ale terminology can be confusing. In general, ales are rich, filling beers that seem to resemble a liquid meal.

Pale and Amber ales, sometimes called barley wines, use a pure barley malt. Pale ale is also known as a bitter in England and Altbier in Germany. Strong pale ales are considered to be part of the pale ale family, although they have a higher alcohol content. Pale ale has a strong hoppy flavor which is distasteful to some consumers, who prefer more mild ales. The ale is usually pale in color and may have sediment when drawn on tap, because of lingering yeast. Ex. Organic Amber and Sierra Nevada. ABV range: 4-7%

Dark ale includes stout and porter, two ales which are distinguished by their dark color and rich, complex flavor. Dark ales tend to have a slightly smoky flavor and a rich, creamy head. Stouts come in a variety of incarnations but most are sightly dry, sweet, and have coffee or chocolate like notes. Ex. Guinness, Mackeson, Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout, Rogue Mocha Porter, Sam Adams Honey Porter. ABV range: 4-7.5%

Brown ale is a cousin of dark ale, made with more roasted grains and possessing a full, rounded flavor which is not quite intense as dark ale. Ex. New Castle. ABV range: 4-8%

Blonde ales are more or less a creation from the craft-brewery movement, and also reminiscent of the German style Kolsh. Usually an all malt brew, well attenuated with a lightly malty palate. Most have a subdued fruitiness. Hop character is of the noble variety, or similiar, leaving a light to meduim bitterness. ABV range: 4-7%

Witbier, a belgian style ale that’s very pale and cloudy in appereance due it being unfiltered and the high level of wheat, and sometimes oats, that’s used in the mash. Always spiced, generally with coriander, orange peel, and other odd ball spices or herbs in the background. The crispness and slight twang comes from the wheat and the lively level of carbonation. Ex. Shock Top, Hoegaarden, Blue Moon, Sunset Wheat. ABV range: 4-7%

Hefeweizen is a German style of wheat beer made with a typical ratio of 50:50, or ever higher, wheat. A yeast that produces a unique phenolic flavors of banana and cloves with an often dry and tart edge, some spiciness, bubblegum or notes of apples. Little hop bitterness, and a moderate level of alcohol. The “Hefe” prefix means “with yeast”, hence the beers unfiltered and cloudy appearance. Ex. Paulaner and Widmer. ABV range: 4-7%

Irish red ales are a bit sweet, with a light hopped tea-like flavor, and an even dextrinous body, Irish red ales are easy to please.Look for well-rounded and balanced flavors, and a pleasant toasted malt character in many examples. Ex. Smithwicks and Killians. ABV range: 4-6%

Another large category of ales includes the Belgian ales, which encompass a wide variety of brewing techniques. The most famous belgian ales are abbey ales, some of which are still made by monastaries in Belgium. Abbey ales have a rich, heady flavor, and are also very filling. Ex. Delirium Tremens & Nocturnum, Chimay Blueu & White, St. Sebastiaan. ABV range: 5-12%