From lagers to stouts, there are medleys of craft beers available to people that even twenty years ago were almost unheard of. Created in imitation of ancient brewing techniques, they can run the gamut from light bodied and zesty German pilsners to heavy bread like porters, with no two craft beers being exactly the same.

Each lovingly crafted brew has its own unique flavor, expertly manipulated by master brewers to give each and every beer the precise flavor they desire. Brewing is an ancient process, and there are countless variations that are as varied as the brewers that create them. The most common types of craft beer are stouts, ales and lagers. Each has its own distinct mouth feel and flavor profile, as well as alcohol content, which in the hands of a master brewer can come alive and be worlds better than the industrial products produced by major breweries.

Stouts and porters are closely related but separate types of beer, characterized by a thick, creamy head and a very dark color. Stouts are the heartiest and darkest variety of porter, an can range from flat brown to almost black. They typically have nutty, earthy flavors and have been described by some aficionados as “liquid bread” Stouts and porters typically have a very low alcohol content, and are very low in carbohydrates.

Ale is another popular style of craft beer, and can be anywhere from very dark, as in a brown ale, to very light, as in an India Pale Ale. Ales are usually characterized by a unique use of hops, giving the beer a more bitter taste, and alcohol content can be average to quite high. India Pale Ale is a popular style with craft brewers, named after the ale shipped to India via ship, that had to be quite high in alcoholic content to keep for the long journey.

Lagers and pilsners are the lightest of the beers, and are well known as mass produced American commercial beers. However, a craft brewed artisanal lager or pilsner is a real treat, with a crisp, refreshing flavor that often has fruity overtones. These beers are often overlooked due to the stigma of being mass produced, but with the explosion of quality craft brewers in the last decade, a traditional pilsner or lager that has been craft brewed is a strong contender for the tastiest brew out there!