Best quote from Different Beer Styles: A Guide to Popular Brews and Flavors
Beer styles aren't just boxes to put things in—they're a way to pay attention to what you're experiencing. It's about being present in the glass.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Different beer styles
Frequently Asked Questions
The primary distinction between these two major brewing styles lies in the type of yeast used and the fermentation temperature. Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, often resulting in fruity or spicy flavor profiles. In contrast, lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures, which typically produces a crisp, clean, and mellow taste found in popular varieties like pilsners.
An IPA, or India Pale Ale, is a popular craft beer style known for its emphasis on hop flavors and aromas. These brews often feature citrus, floral, or piney notes and typically have a higher bitterness profile compared to other ales. Within this category, you can find various sub-styles ranging from the bitter West Coast IPA to the hazy and fruity New England IPA.
Stouts are dark, top-fermented ales characterized by their use of roasted malts or barley. This brewing process gives them a distinct dark color and flavors often reminiscent of coffee, chocolate, or caramel. While they are known for being rich and creamy, stouts come in many varieties, including dry Irish stouts, sweet milk stouts, and high-alcohol imperial stouts, offering a wide range of depth.
A pilsner is a specific type of pale lager that is celebrated for its bright golden color and refreshing finish. When tasting this style, you should expect a light-bodied beer with a crisp carbonation and a balanced bitterness from noble hops. It is one of the most iconic brewing styles globally, prized for its clean palate and high drinkability compared to heavier craft beer options.
Discover more
Learn about different beer styles
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
