Homebrew Beer Types - Ale
There are many definitions of the word
ale and many different types of ale. To begin with, CAMRA,
the Campaign for Real Ale, uses the term ale when discussing
"real ale". So, what is real ale?
According to CAMRA,
"Real ale is a natural product
brewed using traditional ingredients and left to mature in the
cask (container) from which it is served in the pub through
a process called secondary fermentation. It is this process
which makes real ale unique amongst beers and develops the wonderful
tastes and aromas which processed beers can never provide."
So, what are the different types of ale?
Real Ale
Real Ale is the term
used by CAMRA
for traditional cask-conditioned
ale. It is ale which is a live product
at the point of delivery, ie still
containing live yeast. This includes
both cask- and bottle-conditioned
ales. Real ales in British pubs are
hand-pumped rather than pressurised
which would stop the on-going maturation.
Example: Caxton Traditional Dark Real Ale
read more about real ale beer kits
Pale Ale
Pale ale is an amber colored ale
brewed with pale malts(lightly kilned);
similar to bitter but drier and lighter.
It often has a honey-like or caramel
sweetness. Pale ales are usually
bronze or copper colored.
Brown Ale
A dark, reddish brown British-style,
top-fermented beer which is lightly
hopped and flavored with roasted
and caramel malt, often with a nutty
flavour. Sweeter and usually less
Summer Ale
Sometimes known as a golden ale,
a pale beer often made with a blend
of pale and lager malts, appealing
to lager and bitter drinkers alike.
Example: Woodforde's Great Eastern Golden Ale