Beers are divided into two categories: ales and lagers. Lagers go through a cold, longer fermentation process. More expensive and difficult. Ales go through a warm, shorter process. Most common in home-brews and microbreweries. Each ale has a distinct color, aroma, and flavor. Types include:

• Stout (English stout, American stout, Imperial Russian stout, Irish extra stout)

• Porter (lighter bodied than stout)

• Mild

• Bitter

• Pale (India pale, American pale)

• Red or amber

• Dark or brown

• Strong

• Old

• Cream