Introduction to Beer: A Beginner’s Guide to Beer Styles

Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world, but with so many styles, flavours and brewing traditions to explore, knowing where to start can be challenging. Introduction to Beer is here to make things more simple.

Whether you’re new to beer, looking to understand the different types of beer UK drinkers enjoy, or trying to work out the difference between lager, ale, IPA, stout and wheat beer, this guide will walk you through the basics without any beer snobbery.

At Beerhunter, we believe beer should be fun, flavourful and easy to discover. From crisp German lagers and bold IPAs to rich stouts, Belgian ales and alcohol-free beers, there’s a beer style for every taste, every fridge and every occasion.

Ready to explore while you read? Browse our full Mixed Case range to discover beers from around the world.

What Is Beer?

Beer is an alcoholic drink usually made from four core ingredients: water, malted grain, hops and yeast. The malt gives beer body, colour and sweetness, the hops add bitterness and aroma, yeast creates alcohol and flavour, and water brings everything together.

Simple ingredients, endless possibilities. That’s the magic of beer.

Different brewing methods, ingredients, fermentation temperatures and ageing techniques create a huge variety of beer styles. This is why one beer can be crisp, pale and refreshing, while another can be dark, rich and full of coffee or chocolate notes.

Types of Beer UK Drinkers Should Know

The main beer styles UK drinkers are likely to come across include:

• Lager
• Ale
• IPA
• Pale Ale
• Stout
• Porter
• Wheat Beer
• Pilsner
• Bitter
• Sour Beer
• Fruit Beer
• Belgian Beer
• German Beer
• Alcohol-Free Beer

Each style has its own flavour profile, brewing history and ideal drinking occasion. Some are light and refreshing, while others are bold, rich and complex.

If you’re just starting out, lager, pale ale and wheat beer are usually the easiest styles to explore first. If you already enjoy stronger flavours, IPA, stout, porter and Belgian beer are well worth trying.

Lager: Crisp, Clean and Refreshing

Lager is one of the most popular beer styles in the UK. It is usually crisp, clean, refreshing and easy drinking, making it a great choice for BBQs, football nights, parties and fridge stocking.

Lagers are fermented at cooler temperatures, which helps create a smooth and balanced flavour. Popular lager styles include German Helles, pilsner, Vienna lager, Märzen and alcohol-free lager.

If you enjoy refreshing beers, explore our wide Lager Collection for classic European lagers, pilsners and easy-drinking favourites.

Ale: The Broad Family Behind Many Beer Styles

Ale is one of the oldest and broadest beer categories. Unlike lager, ale is fermented at warmer temperatures, which often creates more expressive flavours.

Many famous beer styles are technically ales, including pale ale, IPA, bitter, stout, porter, wheat beer, Belgian blonde and barley wine.

Ales can be light and hoppy, dark and rich, or smooth and traditional. This makes them a brilliant category for anyone wanting to explore beer beyond standard lager.

Difference Between Beer and Lager

One of the biggest beginner questions is the difference between beer and lager. The simple answer is that lager is a type of beer.

Beer is the overall category. Lager is one style within that category. So, all lagers are beers, but not all beers are lagers.

The difference mainly comes down to fermentation. Lagers are usually fermented cooler and taste crisp, clean and smooth. Ales are fermented warmer and often taste fruitier, maltier or more complex.

Difference Between Ale and Lager

Another important search opportunity is difference between ale and lager. These two categories are separated mainly by yeast and fermentation temperature.

Lager

Lager is fermented at cooler temperatures and usually tastes crisp, clean and refreshing. It is often pale golden, lightly bitter and smooth.

Ale

Ale is fermented at warmer temperatures and usually has more expressive flavours. Depending on the style, ale can be fruity, malty, hoppy, roasted or spicy.

IPA and Pale Ale: Hoppy, Citrusy and Bold

IPA stands for India Pale Ale. It is one of the most popular modern craft beer styles, known for bold hop flavour, citrusy aroma and refreshing bitterness.

Pale ale is usually more balanced and less intense than IPA. IPA is typically hoppier, more aromatic and often more bitter.

If you love big flavour, start with a session IPA or hazy IPA. If you want something sharper, try a West Coast IPA.

To learn more, read our full guide: What Is an IPA Beer? A Guide to India Pale Ales, or browse our IPA Beer Collection.

Stout and Porter: Dark, Rich and Roasty

Stout and porter are darker beer styles known for roasted malt flavours. They can taste like coffee, chocolate, caramel, toasted bread, liquorice or dark fruit.

Porter is often slightly lighter and smoother, while stout can be richer, roastier and fuller-bodied. However, the line between the two styles can be blurry, and many brewers interpret them differently.

These are excellent beers for colder evenings, roast dinners, desserts and anyone who enjoys a deeper, more comforting pint.

Browse our Stout Beer Collection for rich, dark and roasty favourites.

Wheat Beer: Smooth, Fruity and Refreshing

Wheat beer is brewed with a high proportion of wheat, giving it a soft body, smooth mouthfeel and refreshing finish. German wheat beers often have banana and clove notes, while Belgian wheat beers may include citrus and spice.

Wheat beer is a great choice for anyone who wants something refreshing but more characterful than a standard lager. It pairs brilliantly with salads, seafood, chicken, spicy dishes and sunny afternoons.

For authentic German styles, explore our German Beers Collection.

Belgian Beer: Big Character and Brewing Tradition

Belgian beer is famous for expressive flavours, historic breweries and unique styles. From golden blondes and strong tripels to fruity lambics and rich dubbels, Belgium offers some of the most exciting beers in the world.

Common Belgian beer styles include:

• Belgian Blonde
• Belgian Tripel
• Belgian Dubbel
• Saison
• Lambic
• Fruit Beer
• Trappist Beer
• Abbey Beer

Belgian beers often have fruity, spicy and complex flavours from distinctive yeast strains. Some are light and refreshing, while others are strong, rich and made for slow sipping.

Explore more in our Belgian Beer Multipacks.

Alcohol-Free Beer: Proper Beer Without the Booze

Alcohol-free beer has come a long way. Modern alcohol-free beers can be crisp, hoppy, malty, fruity or dark, giving drinkers more choice without the alcohol.

Ideal for Dry January, midweek drinks, drivers, new parents, gym-goers or anyone who wants a beer without the next-day fog.

Browse our Alcohol-Free Beer Collection for no and low alcohol options.

How to Choose the Right Beer Style

Choosing beer is much easier when you match the style to the flavour you enjoy.

If you like crisp and refreshing beers, choose lager, pilsner or Helles. If you prefer citrus and tropical fruit, try IPA or pale ale. If you enjoy dark chocolate, coffee and roasted flavours, go for stout or porter. If you want something smooth and fruity, try wheat beer. If you like complex, stronger beers, Belgian styles are a brilliant place to start.

Quick guide:

• Refreshing: lager, pilsner, wheat beer
• Hoppy: IPA, pale ale, session IPA
• Dark and rich: stout, porter
• Fruity and spicy: Belgian beer, wheat beer
• Traditional: bitter, real ale, brown ale
• No/low alcohol: alcohol-free lager, IPA or stout

If you’re not sure where to begin, mixed cases are the easiest way to try different styles without committing to one full pack. Explore our range to discover your next favourite.

Why Buy Beer from Beerhunter?

Beerhunter is built for people who love discovering brilliant beer without spending hours hunting across multiple shops. We stock a wide range of world beers, craft favourites, mixed cases, gift sets and alcohol-free options, making it simple to find the right beer for any taste or occasion.

Why shop with Beerhunter?

• Wide range of beer styles from around the world
• Lager, IPA, stout, Belgian beer, German beer and more
• Mixed cases for easy discovery
• Beer gifts and glassware packs available
• Alcohol-free and low alcohol options
• Fast UK delivery available
• Expertly curated by beer lovers

Whether you’re new to beer or already know your pilsner from your porter, Beerhunter makes exploring beer simple, fun and very fridge-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beer

What are the main types of beer?

The main types of beer include lager, ale, IPA, pale ale, stout, porter, wheat beer, pilsner, bitter, sour beer, fruit beer and alcohol-free beer.

What is the difference between beer and lager?

Beer is the overall drink category. Lager is a specific type of beer made using cooler fermentation, usually creating a crisp, clean and refreshing taste.

What is the difference between ale and lager?

Ale is usually fermented warmer and has more expressive flavours, while lager is fermented cooler and tends to taste cleaner, crisper and smoother.

What beer should beginners try first?

Beginners often enjoy lager, pilsner, wheat beer, pale ale or session IPA because these styles are usually refreshing and approachable.

What is the most popular type of beer in the UK?

Lager is one of the most popular beer styles in the UK, although IPA, pale ale, stout, craft beer and alcohol-free beer have become increasingly popular.

Is stout a type of beer?

Yes. Stout is a dark beer style known for roasted malt flavours, often with notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel.

What is the best way to try different beer styles?

Mixed beer cases are a great way to try different beer styles, breweries and flavours without buying a full case of one beer.