“Top” beer types aren’t universal winners. The best style depends on your taste and the moment, like a hot afternoon, dinner with friends, or a low-key game night. Some people want a crisp, clean finish, while others want roast, chocolate, or big hop aroma.
This guide breaks down five popular beer types in plain terms, with quick “first sip” tips for beginners. If you’re near Mount Dora, Florida, you can taste several of these styles at Eden Abbey Brewing (405 S Highland St, Mt Dora, FL). Their tap list often includes a hazy IPA (Holy Hazy!), a blonde ale (4 Nun Blonde), a brown ale (Shotgun Wedding), and a milk stout (Left Hand Milk Stout). They’re open Tuesday through Sunday, and locals describe the vibe as welcoming and community-focused.
The top 5 beer types, what they taste like, and who usually loves them
IPA (India Pale Ale), bold hops and bright aromas
IPAs put hops in the driver’s seat. Hops bring aroma and bitterness, plus flavors that read like grapefruit peel, pine needles, or tropical fruit. However, not every IPA hits the same. Some lean sharp and bitter, while others feel softer and fruit-forward.
Flavor notes: citrus zest, resin, mango, passion fruit, sometimes floral
Typical ABV: about 5.5% to 7.5% (double IPAs often go higher)
Bitterness: medium to high, although some taste smoother than the IBU number suggests
Beginner first sip tip: smell it first, then take a small sip and wait five seconds. The finish tells you how bitter it feels.
A helpful sub-style is the New England IPA (often called hazy IPA). It tends to taste “juicier,” with less of that sharp bite. At Eden Abbey, Holy Hazy! is a New England IPA at 6.5% ABV and 17 IBU, which signals a softer bitterness level even though the hop aroma can still feel loud.
For food, hops like fat and salt. So, IPAs pair well with spicy wings, burgers, and crunchy bar snacks.
If an IPA tastes harsh, try a hazy IPA next. It often keeps the aroma while easing the bite.
Lager, clean and crisp when you want something easy
“Lager” describes a fermentation method, not a single flavor. Brewers ferment lagers cooler and condition them longer, which usually creates a clean profile. As a result, malt and subtle hop notes show up without a lot of yeast-driven fruitiness.
Flavor notes: light bread, mild honey-like sweetness, a crisp finish
Typical ABV: about 4% to 5.5%
Bitterness: low to medium, usually smooth
Beginner first sip tip: take two small sips. The first sets your palate, the second shows the finish.
On Eden Abbey’s list, Lightning Lager is an American Light Lager at 4.2% ABV. That’s the kind of beer that stays refreshing on a warm Florida day. It also works when you want something you can sip for a long hang without palate fatigue.
Pair lagers with salty, fried, or cheesy foods. Soft pretzel bites with beer cheese, kettle-style chips, and fried chicken all match the crisp snap.
Stout, dark, roasty, and dessert-like without being too sweet
Stouts use roasted malts. Roasting pushes flavors toward coffee, cocoa, and toasted bread. The color turns deep brown to black, yet the body doesn’t have to feel heavy. In other words, dark beer can still drink smooth and balanced.
Flavor notes: espresso, dark chocolate, toasted grain, sometimes vanilla
Typical ABV: about 5% to 8%
Bitterness: medium, but it reads more “roasty” than “hoppy”
Beginner first sip tip: let it warm slightly for a minute. Cold temps hide the cocoa and coffee notes.
A common entry point is a milk stout. Eden Abbey lists Left Hand Milk Stout at 6% ABV. “Milk” refers to lactose, a milk sugar that brewing yeast can’t fully ferment. Therefore, it adds body and a creamy feel, not a sugary candy taste.
Stouts pair well with chocolate desserts, grilled meats, and caramel-like sauces. If you like that coffee-and-cocoa direction, stout hits the same notes as a mocha, just in beer form.
Blonde ale, smooth and balanced for new craft beer fans
Blonde ale sits between lager simplicity and hop-forward ales. It often tastes clean and gentle, with enough malt to feel rounded. Since it doesn’t demand attention, it’s a great “house beer” style for a lot of taprooms.
Flavor notes: light biscuit, mild citrus, soft grain sweetness
Typical ABV: about 4.5% to 6%
Bitterness: low to medium, usually not sharp
Beginner first sip tip: look for balance. If neither sweet nor bitter dominates, you’re in the right zone.
Eden Abbey’s 4 Nun Blonde is 5.2% ABV and 23 IBU. That IBU level signals some hop presence, yet it should still drink easy. The beer uses a Norwegian kveik yeast, which can add a subtle fruity impression, depending on fermentation temperature.
If you’re moving up from light lager to craft beer, blonde ale is a smart next step. It keeps the easy finish, while adding more flavor without going full hop bomb.
Blonde ale pairs well with salads, wraps, and chicken sandwiches, because it won’t bulldoze lighter foods.
Brown ale, toasty and nutty with a cozy malt backbone
Brown ale focuses on malt flavors that taste like toasted nuts and caramel. Some versions show a hint of chocolate, but the roast stays mild. Since hops play a smaller role, bitterness stays controlled.
Flavor notes: caramel, toasted bread, pecan-like nuttiness, light chocolate
Typical ABV: about 4.5% to 6.5%
Bitterness: low to medium
Beginner first sip tip: take a medium sip and breathe out through your nose. The nutty aroma shows up more.
Shotgun Wedding at Eden Abbey is a brown ale at 5.5% ABV. It’s a solid pick when you want flavor without a bitter edge. If you’ve tried an IPA and didn’t like the bite, brown ale often feels friendlier while still tasting “craft.”
For pairing, brown ale loves smoky and grilled flavors. Try it with burgers, BBQ-style sauces, and spicy fried jalapeño poppers.
How to choose the right beer type in real life (without overthinking it)
Use three filters: bitterness tolerance, sweetness preference, and the occasion.
First, check your bitterness comfort. If bitter flavors bug you, start with lager, blonde ale, or brown ale. Next, think about sweetness and roast. If you like coffee, cocoa, or toasted flavors, stout fits. If you want clean and crisp, pick a lager. Then match the moment. Lagers win on hot days and long sessions, while stouts shine after dinner.
A simple “taste ladder” helps you learn fast: lager, blonde ale, brown ale, hazy IPA, stout. Each step adds intensity in a different direction. Also, ask for small pours or a flight, because side-by-side tasting teaches your palate quicker than memory does.
For non-drinkers or designated drivers, some taprooms carry hop-forward zero-proof options. Eden Abbey’s Hop Refresher is hop-infused seltzer water at 0% ABV, which keeps hop aroma without alcohol. Add cranberry or blueberry for a mocktail-style pour that still feels like part of the lineup.
Quick food-pairing cheatsheet for the five styles
- IPA: wings (buffalo or garlic-parm), burgers, salty chips
- Lager: soft pretzel bites with beer cheese, kettle chips, fried foods
- Stout: chocolate-forward desserts, grilled meats, caramel-style dessert sauces
- Blonde ale: salads, chicken wraps, lighter appetizers
- Brown ale: BBQ burgers, fried jalapeño poppers, roasted or grilled plates
Conclusion
IPA brings hop aroma and a bitterness range that can run from firm to smooth. Lager stays crisp and clean, so it’s easy to drink and easy to pair. Stout turns roasted grain into coffee and cocoa notes, and milk stout adds a creamy body. Blonde ale sits balanced and mild, which makes it a strong entry point to craft beer. Brown ale leans toasty and nutty, with low bitterness and a cozy finish.
Pick one style you haven’t tried, order a small pour, and note the aroma, bitterness, and finish. If you’re near Mount Dora, Eden Abbey Brewing is a friendly spot to sample several of these styles with comfort food, and they’re open Tuesday through Sunday.
