Chapter 21

Beer Styles

Irish Beer Styles

Ales

Red Ales

Irish ales, a minor category, range in color from light red-amber to light brown. These ales have a pleasant toasted malt character and a candy-like caramel sweetness. These ales are lightly hopped with low levels of fruity-ester and aroma. Diacetyl should be absent. Irish ales are similar to Scottish ales but are a bit lighter and paler.

Irish ales, a minor category, are malt-accented, often with a buttery note (diacetyl), and are rounded, with a soft but notable fruitiness. Irish ales are similar to Scottish ales but are a bit lighter and paler. Hop bitterness is usually low.

Dry Stout

Ireland is one of the first countries to brew stout; there it is considered a national beverage. Ireland’s dry stouts are markedly aromatic, with rich maltiness and intense hop flavors. Hop bitterness is medium to high. The beer is extra-dark, black opaque ale, with low to medium body and a creamy brown head. The degree of sweetness and dryness will vary in dry stouts, yet they are all top-fermented and have the unique and special character of roasted barley, which produces a slightly roasted (coffee-like) trait.

Click on the following topics for more information on other beer styles.

Related Topics on Beer Styles

• Introduction to Beer Styles
• American Beer Styles
• Belgium Beer Styles
• British Beer Styles
• Czech Beer Styles
• French Beer Styles
• German Beer Styles
• Irish Beer Styles
• Scottish Beer Styles
• References