| By far the most popular beer style sold in the UK is | | | | England during the late 1700s and exported for the |
| Lager. Typically a light, clear, sparkling brew served | | | | British troops in India . So it could survive the long |
| cold, but as it is of European origin and not a | | | | voyage to India they were well-hopped, as hops are |
| traditional British style, it will not be included in this | | | | a natural preservative. Basically a standard Pale Ale, |
| article. | | | | but much maltier, with a higher alcohol content. |
| The principal styles of traditional British beer sold in | | | | Mild - Typically ranges in strength from 2 to 6%. Mild |
| the UK fall into the following categories; Barley wine, | | | | has a very light hop character. Alcohol content is |
| Bitter, Brown ale, India Pale Ale, Mild, Porter and | | | | very low. Grainy or toasty malts might be present. |
| Stout. | | | | Colours range from gold to dark brown. Traditionally a |
| Barley Wine - This is the strongest of beer styles | | | | cheaper draft beer made popular in London and the |
| regularly sold in the UK. It typically reaches an alcohol | | | | Midlands of England. |
| strength of 8 to 12% by volume. The name Barley | | | | Porter - Typically ranges in strength from 4 to 7%. |
| Wine refers to the fact it can be as strong as a | | | | Brewed originally in London, this dark beer was a |
| wine. However the fact it is made from grain and not | | | | cheap mass produced brew which got it's name from |
| fruit means it is a beer. It should be sipped as you | | | | it's popularity amongst the market and river porters |
| would a wine, and it has a fruity well aged sweet | | | | working in London at the time. Hop bitterness is |
| flavour and a deep amber or reddish brown colour. | | | | moderate on the whole and colour ranges from |
| Bitter - Typically ranges in strength from 3 to 5% | | | | brown to black. They are very complex and |
| alcohol by volume. It originated from brewers who | | | | interesting beers. |
| wanted to differentiate these ales from other mild | | | | Stout - Typically ranges in strength from 4 to 7%. |
| brews, produced from pale malts and more hops. | | | | Stouts are usually dark brown to pitch black in color. |
| Most are gold to copper in colour and are light bodied. | | | | They can be similar to Porters in many ways. Stouts, |
| Low carbonation. Alcohol should be low and not | | | | in some but not all cases are made using roasted |
| perceived. Hop bitterness is moderate to assertive. | | | | barley or unmalted barley that is kilned to the point |
| Most have a fruitiness in the aroma and flavour. | | | | of being charred, which gives the beer a dry |
| Brown Ale - Typically ranges in strength from 4 to | | | | character and a huge roasted flavour that can range |
| 8% alcohol by volume. It's colour ranges from deep | | | | from burnt to coffee to chocolate. |
| amber to brown.The roasted malt gives them a | | | | This wraps up my brief foray into British beer styles. |
| caramel or chocolate undertone. Brown ales from | | | | It is a huge subject and I don't pretend to have |
| northeastern England tend to be strong and malty, | | | | done anything more than scratch the surface here. If |
| often nutty, while those from southern England are | | | | I have inspired you to embark on your own tasting |
| usually darker, sweeter and lower in alcohol. | | | | journey hope you enjoy a new discovery along the |
| India Pale Ale - Or IPA, typically ranges in strength | | | | way, or a renewed interest in this most noble and |
| from 4 to 7% alcohol by volume. First brewed in | | | | complex of beverages. |
