At Upstream Brewing Company, nestled in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market district, we take pride in crafting a diverse selection of high-quality beers to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or just beginning your journey into the world of craft brews, understanding the different styles of beer and their unique flavors can help you find your next favorite pour. We created this guide so people who want to try new types of beer can get an idea of what each type of beer tastes like, so they can more easily explore different types of beer that best suits their taste. If you are considering exploring the wide breadth of brews from which you can choose, Upstream Brewing has you covered.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular beer styles and what you can expect from each sip.
Crisp & Refreshing Styles
Hefeweizen
A Taste of Summer
A traditional German wheat beer, hefeweizen is known for its cloudy appearance and smooth, refreshing mouthfeel. Expect flavors of banana, clove, and sometimes a touch of bubblegum, created naturally by the yeast during fermentation. This is an easy-drinking beer that pairs perfectly with warm weather and lighter dishes.
Pilsner
Bright, Crisp, and Classic
Pilsners are light-bodied lagers with a clean, crisp finish. They often have a floral, herbal, or spicy hop character with a balanced malt sweetness. A great choice for those who enjoy a refreshing, easy-to-drink beer.
Fruity & Spicy Ales
Saison
The Farmhouse Classic
Saison, a Belgian-style farmhouse ale, is lively, effervescent, and packed with complex flavors. Expect notes of citrus, pepper, and sometimes earthy funk from the yeast. It’s dry and highly carbonated, making it a fantastic food-pairing beer.
Belgian Tripel
Bold & Boozy
A golden, high-ABV ale with a slightly sweet malt backbone, Belgian Tripels feature spicy, fruity esters with flavors of honey, pear, and clove. Despite their strength, they remain dangerously drinkable.
Hoppy & Bitter Beers
Pale Ale
Balanced & Approachable
A perfect introduction to hop-forward beers, pale ales strike a balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. They often have notes of citrus, pine, and floral hops, with a moderate ABV that makes them a great everyday beer.
India Pale Ale (IPA)
The Hop Lover’s Favorite
IPAs are known for their bold hop flavors, ranging from citrus and tropical fruit to pine and resinous bitterness. They can vary greatly depending on the hop varieties used, but most have a medium to full body with a strong, lingering finish.
Imperial IPA & Double IPA
Bigger, Bolder, and Hoppier
Taking IPAs to the next level, Imperial and Double IPAs have a higher alcohol content and an intense hop presence. They often feature a strong malt backbone to balance the bitterness, making for a very bold and complex drinking experience.
Hazy IPA
The Sweetest of the Bunch
Bitter enough to be at home among other IPAs, Hazy offers a juicier hop with fruity notes that make it a less assertive offering. An easy drinking IPA with a hint of sweetness, Hazy is satisfying and approachable with a full body and a creamy finish.
Dark & Malty Brews
Scotch Ale
Rich & Caramelized
Also known as “Wee Heavy,” Scotch ales are full-bodied and malt-forward, with deep caramel, toffee, and dark fruit flavors. They often have a slight smokiness, making them a great choice for cooler weather.
Bock
Smooth & Malty
Bocks are traditional German lagers that emphasize malt sweetness with minimal hop bitterness. They can range from lighter, toasty maibocks to dark, rich doppelbocks, which have notes of caramel, chocolate, and bread.
Porter
Roasty & Smooth
Porters feature roasted malt flavors, often with hints of chocolate, coffee, and caramel. They tend to be smooth and medium-bodied, making them an excellent choice for those who enjoy dark beers without the intense heaviness.
Stout
Dark, Bold, and Creamy
Stouts take roasted malt to another level, offering rich flavors of espresso, dark chocolate, and sometimes even a creamy sweetness (as found in milk stouts). Variations like oatmeal stouts add a silky texture, while barrel-aged stouts bring in boozy, oaky depth.
Try a Pint at Upstream Brewing Company
No matter your taste preferences, there’s a beer style out there for you. At Upstream Brewing Company, we take pride in brewing a variety of these classic styles, along with unique seasonal and experimental releases.
Next time you visit Omaha’s historic Old Market district, stop by Upstream Brewing Company for a fresh pint brewed right here in Nebraska. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you discover the perfect beer to match your palate.
Cheers! 🍻