While there are many styles of beer, they all are either one of 3 types. ALE, LAGER, or a LAMBIC.

ALES are made using a top fermenting ale yeast that that works from the top of the fermentation tank. Top fermenting ALE yeast is a quick-working yeast that thrives at relatively high temperature (between 60˚–70˚), and produces by-products called esters, which add the “flowery, fruity” aromas that are characteristic of ALE. This flowery fruitiness comes from the type of malted barley used, the yeast strain used, and the high fermentation temperature.

LAGER, a German word meaning “TO STORE”, is a perfect word to describe a brew that is kept for more than 30 days in a cold, dark place. LAGERS are made using a bottom fermenting lager yeast that sits at the bottom of the fermentation tank. LAGER yeast as opposed to ALE yeast need a much lower temperature (usually between 34˚-40˚) for much longer periods of time. LAGER yeast produces fewer aromatics than ALE yeast. The resulting lack of esters allows the aroma of the hops used in the brew to remain at the forfront, complimenting the sweet flavor of the malt.

LAMBIC, Unique to Belgium in its origin of creation and distinguished by their tart taste, Lambics are neither top-fermented nor bottom-fermented, being prepared through spontaneous fermentation by wild yeasts said to be endemic to the vicinity of Brussels. It is exclusively brewed around Brussels and the Senne Valley. Lambics can also be fermented with a variety of strains of bacteria that act similarly to yeast in the consumption of sugars and the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide, but produce unique flavors. The lambic beers are the only beers to undergo spontaneous fermentation that takes place during a rather long aging period ranging from three to six months (considered “young”) to two or three years for mature.

PILSNER is a style of LAGER.

STOUT is a style of ALE.

Some of the finest beer made in the U.S. are crafted in PA, NJ, DE, and NY. If you prefer domestic beer, we strongly encourage you to support our great local brewers, and their products are better!

Price

When it comes to beer, like anything else, you get what you pay for! If you think $5.50 is expensive for a Victory Golden Monkey you may want to look at it from a different perspective. It’s a great Belgian style triple, it’s local (PA), and it’s 9.5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV). That would be the equivalent of 2 Budweisers! So which is the more expensive beer?  $7 of 2 Buds or $5.50 for a Golden Monkey? And more importantly, Golden Monkey taste so much better! You’ll find that to be true with any of these local craft brews we have selected. If price is an issue, locally brewed Yuengling Lager is an EXCELLENT CHOICE!

Imported Beer

Like Craft brews in the U.S., Craft brews abroad are of a distinctly higher quality and better taste than their Mega brewer counter parts. Like say um HEINEKEN!  We compiled a fabulous list of amazing imported beer as well. ENJOY!