- Sep 15, 2023
- 2 min read

Sip, Savor, Celebrate: Your Ultimate Ale Guide for This Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest is approaching with its joyful clinks of glasses, jubilant chants, and an ocean of beer aficionados. This iconic German festival is a celebration of culture, unity, and, of course, beer. But as you prepare to raise your mug, it's worth pondering: Do you know your ales? Whether you're a seasoned beer lover or a curious newbie, this guide is your passport to the vibrant world of ales.

Brown Ale

A glass of beer and wheat on the wooden board by jirapat2514, 123RF

Lightly hopped and mildly flavoured, often accompanied by a nutty undertone. Originating from England, its colour and sweetness varies depending on the region. Notable examples include Manns Brown Ale and Newcastle Brown Ale.

Pale Ale

A glass of pale ale on a wooden windowsill by zmurciuk_k, 123RF

Born from malt dried with coke, pale ale was initially termed for its lighter hue. Over the years, it became synonymous with bitter due to its hopped nature. Interestingly, bottled beers retain the pale ale label while cask varieties are often termed bitter.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

The bartender is filling up the glass with beer by pxhidalgo, 123RF

This ale was originally exported to India from England's Bow Brewery. Its increased hops content not only acted as a natural preservative but also set the foundation for the IPA style.

Golden Ale

Golden Ale and wheat on the wooden board by vizafoto, 123RF

A light-colored pale ale, often termed as a summer bitter. Its alcohol strength typically lies between 3.5% and 5.3%.

Scotch Ales

Close up of glasses of beer by serezniy, 123RF

Native to Scotland, Scotch ales are malty, strong, and showcase hues from amber to dark red. They're often sweeter and less hoppy than their English counterparts.

Barley Wine

A glass of wine on a tree at sunny day by zaitceva, 123RF

A powerful range of ales with an alcohol content between 6% to 12%. Expect tastes of sweet malt, ripe fruit, and occasionally, darker undertones of chocolate and coffee.

Mild Ale

A glass of dark beer on the wooden table by zmurciuk_k, 123RF

Originating as the opposite of old ale, mild ales can be of any strength or colour. Most tend to be dark brown and have a low alcoholic strength.

Burton Ale

Photography shot of beer under sunlight by zeferli, 123RF

A dark, sweet ale, it was traditionally used as stock ale. Bass No. 1 stands out as an iconic Burton ale.

Old Ale

Beer in the mug with brown background by nesavinov, 123RF

Traditional old ales from England were strong beers aged for about a year. Today, the term is broadly used for medium-strong dark beers.

Belgian Ales

A glass of light brown beer by the window by zmurciuk_k, 123RF

Belgium boasts of diverse speciality ales, high in alcohol but light in body. The use of sucrose instead of the entire grist makes these ales distinct.

Cask Ale

A glass of beer and a barrel by kishivan, 123RF

An unfiltered, unpasteurised beer, it's conditioned in a cask without any added gas pressure. In the UK, it's often dubbed as real ale.

As Oktoberfest approaches and you find yourself amidst barrels of options, remember that every ale has a story, a tradition, and a unique flavour profile. So here's to a season of exploration and jubilation! And for those looking to get in the festive mood visually, discover stunning ale imagery for all your Oktoberfest celebrations at 123RF.com. Cheers!