There are many days on the calendar devoted to beer. But September 28th might just be our favorite here at Stark Brewing. It’s National Drink a Beer Day. Simple and direct, it’s a holiday that we can easily get behind. When you’re out and about, looking for the best restaurants in Manchester to grab a beer, we hope that you’ll drop by Stark for National Drink a Beer Day. But no matter where choose to have that beer, you need to know what you’re drinking.
Here’s a basic rundown of some of the common beer styles you’ll find at the best restaurants in Manchester, including Stark Brewery!
Lagers
The most straightforward beer out there is a lager. It’s a no-frills beer that’s refreshing and easy to drink. Lagers are light with little aroma and without malt and hops that you’ll find in other beer styles. If you’re a lager drinker looking to expand your beer horizons, pilsner is the logical next step. Pilsner is the Czech take on lager, but with a more vibrant and complex flavor.
American Pale Ale
The American pale ale is where the flavors start to get more interesting. Pale ales are much more aromatic than lagers and often have fruity aromas and flavors. The ale yeast is largely responsible for the flavor and aroma. Ales are also different from lagers in that the yeast gathers at the top of the tank during fermentation rather than at the bottom.
India Pale Ale
IPAs are the kings of the craft beer world. More than anything else, they are hoppy, and usually have a higher ABV than other beer styles. There are variations within IPAs as well. West Coast IPAs tend to be more bitter, while New England style IPAs are juicer and hazier.
Stout and Porter
We’ve covered the basics of stout before, and they are essentially a stronger porter, which is why we group them together. These dark beers are made with roasted malt and have chocolate and coffee flavors.
Wheat Beer
This style originally hails from Germany and Belgium, but other parts of the world have put forward their offerings as well. Beer drinkers are split on whether or not they like wheat beers, but they almost all agree that when a wheat beer is good, it’s very good. Give our Merlinweizen or Zeus Belgian Wit a try if you’re on the fence about this style of beer.
