Beer Styles Guide | Hops Academy

Major Beer Categories

Discover the characteristics that define each style

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IPA

India Pale Ale

Bold, hoppy, and aromatic. IPAs are the flagship of craft beer, featuring intense hop character from citrus to tropical to piney.

ABV Range 5.5-7.5%

Flavor Notes Citrus, pine, tropical fruit, grapefruit, resinous

Perfect Pairings Spicy curry, sharp cheddar, fish tacos, grilled meats

Serving Temp 45-50°F (7-10°C)

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Stout

Dark & Rich

Deep, dark, and decadent. Stouts feature roasted malt character with notes of coffee, chocolate, and sometimes hints of vanilla or bourbon.

ABV Range 4.0-12.0%

Flavor Notes Coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, cream

Perfect Pairings Chocolate desserts, oysters, braised beef, aged cheese

Serving Temp 50-55°F (10-13°C)

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Lager

Clean & Crisp

Refreshing and smooth. Lagers are fermented cold and conditioned longer, resulting in a clean, crisp profile that showcases malt and subtle hop character.

ABV Range 4.5-6.0%

Flavor Notes Clean malt, subtle hops, bread, honey, slight sweetness

Perfect Pairings Pizza, burgers, sausages, light seafood, Mexican food

Serving Temp 38-45°F (3-7°C)

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Pilsner

Golden Elegance

Light, golden, and refreshing. Pilsners balance delicate malt sweetness with noble hop bitterness for an elegant, thirst-quenching experience.

ABV Range 4.0-5.5%

Flavor Notes Biscuit malt, floral hops, spicy, crisp, slightly bitter

Perfect Pairings Salads, chicken, pork, mild cheeses, seafood

Serving Temp 38-45°F (3-7°C)

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Pale Ale

Balanced & Approachable

The perfect middle ground. Pale ales offer balanced hop and malt character with moderate bitterness and a smooth, drinkable profile.

ABV Range 4.5-6.5%

Flavor Notes Caramel malt, citrus hops, balanced, fruity, smooth

Perfect Pairings BBQ, salmon, cheddar cheese, sandwiches, fries

Serving Temp 45-50°F (7-10°C)

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Wheat Beer

Light & Refreshing

Brewed with wheat malt for a hazy appearance and smooth texture. Often features fruity, spicy yeast character with notes of banana and clove.

ABV Range 4.5-5.5%

Flavor Notes Banana, clove, wheat, citrus, creamy, refreshing

Perfect Pairings Light salads, seafood, fruity desserts, breakfast foods

Serving Temp 45-50°F (7-10°C)

Beer Style Glossary

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

The percentage of alcohol content in beer. Higher ABV means more alcohol and usually more body and warmth.

IBU (International Bitterness Units)

Measures hop bitterness in beer. Higher IBU means more bitter. Range from 5 (very low) to 100+ (extremely bitter).

SRM (Standard Reference Method)

Measures beer color. Lower numbers are lighter (1-2 is pale straw), higher numbers are darker (40+ is black).

Body

The weight and mouthfeel of beer. Ranges from light (crisp, watery) to full (thick, creamy).

Dry Hopping

Adding hops after fermentation for intense aroma without additional bitterness. Common in IPAs and pale ales.

Malt Forward

Beer where malt character dominates over hops, featuring sweetness, caramel, or roasted flavors.

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