What Style Are You Planning Next?
Every brewer puts their own spin on a recipe. The ingredients listed here are commonly associated with this style and provide a starting point for exploring recipes or building your own. Below you will find some of the most popular styles with notes on style and expectations, as well as the commonly used ingredients.
American Pale Ale
A balanced, approachable beer with a clean malt backbone and bright citrus or floral hop character. American Pale Ales are flavorful without being overly bitter, making them a favorite for both new and experienced craft beer drinkers.
Expect
Medium body
Moderate bitterness
Citrus, pine, floral hop aroma
Clean finish
Easy-drinking
Perfect for
Weeknight brewing, backyard barbecues, and introducing friends to craft beer.
Base Malts: American 2-Row - Pale Ale Malt - Maris Otter (less common but popular)
Specialty Malts: Crystal/Caramel 20L–60L - Munich Malt - Victory/Biscuit
Traditional Hops: Cascade - Centennial - Chinook - Amarillo - Willamette
Yeast: SafAle US-05 - Wyeast 1056 - White Labs WLP001
American IPA
Bold hop flavor takes center stage. American IPAs are known for expressive citrus, tropical fruit, pine, or resinous aromas supported by a clean malt backbone.
Expect
Medium body
High hop aroma
Firm bitterness
Dry finish
Bright citrus and tropical notes
Perfect for
Hop lovers looking to showcase modern American hop varieties.
Base Malts: American 2-Row - Pale Ale Malt
Specialty Malts: Light Crystal - Munich - Wheat Malt (optional)
Hops: Citra - Mosaic - Simcoe - Centennial - Cascade - Chinook
Yeast: US-05 - WLP001 - WY1056
Blonde Ale
Light, smooth, and incredibly approachable. Blonde Ales focus on subtle malt sweetness with restrained hop character, making them excellent beers for almost any occasion.
Expect
Light body
Mild bitterness
Crisp finish
Soft malt character
Easy drinking
Perfect for
First-time homebrewers, summer gatherings, and beer drinkers who enjoy lighter styles.
Base Malts: 2-Row - Pilsner Malt
Specialty Malts: Vienna - Light Crystal - Wheat
Hops: Willamette - Cascade - Liberty - Mt. Hood
Yeast: US-05 - Nottingham - WLP001
Amber Ale
Amber Ales balance caramel malt sweetness with moderate hop bitterness, creating a beer that's flavorful without being overpowering.
Expect
Medium body
Toasty caramel notes
Balanced bitterness
Rich amber color
Smooth finish
Perfect for
Those wanting more malt flavor while still enjoying American hop character.
Base Malts: Pale Malt - 2-Row
Specialty Malts: Crystal 40–80L - Munich - Victory - Biscuit
Hops: Cascade - Centennial - Willamette - Northern Brewer
Yeast: US-05 - Nottingham
Irish Red Ale
Known for its beautiful ruby-red color and smooth malt-forward profile, Irish Red Ale delivers subtle caramel sweetness with a touch of roasted complexity.
Expect
Medium-light body
Low bitterness
Gentle caramel flavor
Slight toasted finish
Exceptional drinkability
Perfect for
Cool evenings, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, or anyone who enjoys balanced malt-forward beers.
Base Malts: Maris Otter - Pale Ale Malt
Specialty Malts: Crystal 40–60 - Carared - Roasted Barley (small amount)
Hops: East Kent Goldings - Fuggle - Willamette
Yeast: Irish Ale Yeast - Nottingham - S-04
English Bitter
A traditional British pub beer emphasizing balance over intensity. Earthy hops and biscuit-like malt create a sessionable beer with remarkable character.
Expect
Medium-light body
Earthy hop flavor
Toasty malt notes
Dry finish
Moderate bitterness
Perfect for
Fans of traditional British ales and lower-alcohol session beers.
Base Malts: Maris Otter
Specialty Malts: Crystal Malt - Biscuit - Amber Malt
Hops: East Kent Goldings - Fuggle - Target
Yeast: S-04 - WLP002 - WY1968
Brown Ale
Nutty, smooth, and rich without becoming heavy. Brown Ales feature layered malt flavors including toast, caramel, nuts, and light chocolate.
Expect
Medium body
Nutty aroma
Mild chocolate notes
Low-to-moderate bitterness
Smooth finish
Perfect for
Fall weather, casual evenings, and drinkers who appreciate malt complexity.
Base Malts: Maris Otter - Pale Malt
Specialty Malts: Brown Malt - Chocolate Malt - Crystal Malt
Hops: East Kent Goldings - Fuggle - Willamette
Yeast: S-04 - Nottingham
Porter
Dark, rich, and flavorful with notes of chocolate, coffee, and toasted bread. Porters emphasize roasted malt character while remaining surprisingly smooth.
Expect
Medium-full body
Chocolate and coffee flavors
Moderate roast
Smooth bitterness
Dark appearance
Perfect for
Cool weather, dessert pairings, and lovers of rich malt-forward beers.
Base Malts: Maris Otter
Specialty Malts: Chocolate Malt - Brown Malt - Crystal - Black Malt
Hops: Fuggle - East Kent Goldings - Northern Brewer
Yeast: S-04 - London Ale
Dry Stout
A classic Irish-style stout featuring roasted barley, a dry finish, and flavors reminiscent of espresso and dark chocolate without excessive sweetness.
Expect
Medium body
Dry finish
Roasted coffee notes
Firm roast character
Creamy mouthfeel (especially on nitro)
Perfect for
Fans of classic Irish stouts and rich roasted beers.
Base Malts: Maris Otter - Pale Malt
Specialty Malts: Roasted Barley - Flaked Barley - Black Malt (optional)
Hops: East Kent Goldings - Fuggle
Yeast: Irish Ale - S-04
Hefeweizen
A refreshing German wheat beer famous for its naturally cloudy appearance and distinctive banana and clove aromas created by the yeast.
Expect
Light body
Banana aroma
Clove spice
Soft wheat character
Refreshing finish
Perfect for
Warm weather, outdoor gatherings, and anyone looking for a unique yeast-driven beer.
Base Malts: Wheat Malt - Pilsner Malt
Specialty Malts: Very little
Hops: Hallertau - Tettnang - Hersbrucker
Yeast: WB-06 - Wyeast 3068 - White Labs WLP300
Oktoberfest / Märzen
Rich, smooth malt character defines this traditional German lager. Toasty bread crust flavors are balanced by a clean fermentation and restrained hop bitterness.
Expect
Medium body
Toasted bread flavors
Smooth malt sweetness
Clean finish
Deep amber color
Perfect for
Autumn celebrations, hearty meals, and traditional lager enthusiasts.
Base Malts: Munich Malt - Vienna Malt - Pilsner Malt
Specialty Malts: Melanoidin - Caramunich
Hops: Hallertau - Tettnang - Perle
Yeast: W-34/70 - Oktoberfest Lager
Pilsner
Crisp, bright, and refreshing with firm hop bitterness and exceptional drinkability. German Pilsners showcase elegant noble hop character and a clean lager finish.
Expect
Light body
Crisp finish
Floral and herbal hops
Clean fermentation
Refreshing bitterness
Perfect for
Hot summer days, light meals, and drinkers who appreciate clean, hop-forward lagers.
Base Malts: Pilsner Malt
Specialty Malts: Acidulated Malt (optional)
Hops: Saaz - Hallertau - Tettnang
Yeast: W-34/70 - Czech Lager - German Lager
