From One Northern Michigan Beer Lover to Another

 If you have spent any time exploring Northern Michigan breweries, you have probably noticed one thing. There are a lot of ales on tap.

So what exactly is an ale, and how do all these styles differ?

Let’s pull up a bar stool and sort it out together.

What Is an Ale?

Ale is one of the oldest styles of beer, dating back to ancient times. It is brewed using a warm fermentation method, which often brings out fuller, slightly fruity flavors.

Historically, ale once meant beer brewed without hops. These days, most ales include hops to balance sweetness and help preserve the beer.

Think of ale as a big family name. Under that umbrella, you will find everything from pale ales and brown ales to porters and stouts.

Classic Ale Styles You Will See on Tap

American Amber Ale

Born during the craft beer rise of the 1980s, American Amber Ale is a cousin of pale ale.

Color ranges from golden to copper to reddish brown. Alcohol content usually falls between 4.4 and 6.1 percent. Bitterness ranges from 18 to 45 IBU.

Expect a balanced beer with a little malt sweetness and just enough hop presence to keep things interesting.

American Brown Ale

This one leans into rich malt flavor. You might notice hints of caramel, chocolate, or toffee, with very little hop bite.

It is dark, smooth, and easy to enjoy without overthinking it.

Brown Ale

Originally brewed in London in the late 1600s, brown ale started as a lightly hopped beer made from brown malt.

Today you will find versions brewed in England, Belgium, and the United States. They usually pour dark amber to brown and offer gentle malt sweetness.

Cream Ale

Despite the name, there is no cream involved.

Cream Ale is an American style dating back to the mid 1800s. It is light in color, crisp, and noticeably dry. It became more defined as a style in the early 1900s.

If you want something easy drinking but still flavorful, this is a great pick.

Irish Red Ale

Also called Red Ale or Irish Ale, this style gets its reddish color from kilned malts and roasted barley.

Alcohol content usually falls between 3.8 and 4.8 percent, though some craft versions reach 6 percent. Expect a smooth, slightly toasty flavor that goes down easy.

The Pale Ale Family

Pale Ale

The term pale ale dates back to England around 1703. It referred to beer brewed with paler malts that produced a lighter color than other beers at the time.

These beers range from golden to amber and strike a balance between malt sweetness and hop flavor.

American Pale Ale

Developed in the United States around 1980, American Pale Ale brought bold American hops into the spotlight.

Color ranges from deep gold to light brown or copper. Alcohol content usually sits between 4.4 and 5.4 percent, with bitterness from 30 to 50 IBU.

Cascade hops are often featured, giving these beers bright and noticeable hop character without going overboard.

Blonde Ale

Blonde Ale is a favorite summer sipper.

It offers a light color, gentle fruity aroma, and lower alcohol content, usually between 4.1 and 5.1 percent. Bitterness stays mild at 15 to 25 IBU.

It is approachable and refreshing, especially after a day on the lake.

English Pale Ale

Golden to brown in color, English Pale Ale balances hop flavor with malty sweetness.

Alcohol content typically falls between 4.5 and 5.5 percent, with bitterness from 20 to 40 IBU.

Bière de Garde

This French style comes from the Nord Pas de Calais region.

Historically brewed on farmhouses during winter and spring, it was made to last through warmer months. It is often described as a keeping beer.

Bitter

A traditional English pale ale style, Bitter ranges from golden to deep amber.

Alcohol content usually falls between 3 and 5.5 percent. Despite the name, it is more balanced than harsh.

India Pale Ale, Or IPA

India Pale Ale

IPA gained popularity in England by 1815, especially for export to India.

It is known for stronger hop flavor and aroma. Alcohol can range from 5.1 to 10.6 percent, with bitterness typically between 50 and 70 IBU.

If you enjoy noticeable hop character, IPA is your lane.

American IPA

American IPA takes the classic IPA and adds bold American hop aroma.

Alcohol content usually runs from 6.3 to 7.5 percent. Bitterness ranges from 50 to 70 IBU.

This style helped fuel the craft beer boom and remains a favorite for hop fans.

English Style IPA

Rooted in tradition, English style IPA features earthy and floral hop notes.

Alcohol typically ranges from 5 to 7 percent, with bitterness from 35 to 63 IBU.

Imperial IPA

Also known as Double IPA, this is the big one.

Alcohol ranges from 7 to 14 percent, with bitterness from 65 to 100 IBU. Expect bold flavor and a stronger kick.

Maybe save this one for after you hand over the car keys.

Dark and Roasty Favorites

Porters

Porter originated in London in the early 1700s and was named after the porters who enjoyed it.

Porters are dark thanks to brown malt and can be well hopped.

American Porter

Typically 4.4 to 6 percent alcohol, with 20 to 30 IBU.

Baltic Porter

Higher alcohol and layered malt flavors, often with dark fruit notes.

English Porter

Softer and sweeter, with caramel and chocolate notes and moderate bitterness.

Porter eventually paved the way for stout.

Stouts

Stouts are dark, rich, and packed with flavor. They often show roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, caramel, and sometimes dark fruit notes.

Alcohol can range from 3.2 to 12 percent or more. Bitterness ranges widely from 15 to 80 IBU depending on the style.

Common Stout Styles

Dry Stout

Known for a dry finish and roasted character. Guinness is the classic example.

Oatmeal Stout

Smooth and creamy thanks to oats.

Milk Stout

Sweeter due to lactose, which adds body and smoothness.

Imperial Stout

Big, bold, and higher in alcohol with deep roasted flavors.

American Stout

Features assertive hop character alongside dark malt.

Irish Stout

Made with roasted barley and sometimes flaked barley for body, delivering that signature dark, charcoal note.

There is a stout for nearly every mood, from light and roasty to rich and warming.

Other Ale Styles Worth Knowing

Dubbel

A Belgian Trappist style that traces back to Westmalle Abbey in 1856. A stronger brown ale that later became known as Dubbel Bruin.

Hefeweizen

A German wheat beer with a hazy look and fruity flavor.

ABV usually falls between 4.9 and 5.6 percent, with low bitterness from 10 to 15 IBU.

Dunkelweizen is the darker version, with banana and clove notes and a creamy texture.

Kölsch

From Cologne, Germany, Kölsch is bright, clear, and straw yellow.

Alcohol typically ranges from 4.4 to 5.2 percent, with 20 to 30 IBU.

Quadrupel

A strong beer style with alcohol usually between 9.1 and 14.2 percent. Brewers still debate the exact definition, but strength is always part of the story.

Saison

Often called a farmhouse ale, Saison is lively and highly carbonated with fruity and spicy notes.

Originally lower in alcohol, modern versions can range from moderate to strong.

Tripel

Common in Belgium and beyond, Tripel describes a strong pale ale often associated with Westmalle Tripel.

Alcohol usually falls between 7.1 and 10.1 percent, with 20 to 45 IBU.

Weizenbock

A wheat forward take on a traditional German bock.

It blends rich malt character with fruity and spicy yeast notes. When served with yeast, it often appears pleasantly cloudy.

Keep Exploring Northern Michigan Ales

One of the best parts of living in or visiting Northern Michigan is the variety of local breweries pouring many of these styles every single day.

Whether you prefer a crisp Blonde Ale after a beach day, a bold IPA after a hike, or a rich stout by the fireplace in January, there is an ale waiting for you up north.

Curious about other beer families? Be sure to explore our guides to lagers and to both ales and lagers to round out your brewery knowledge.

Now the only question left is simple.

What are you ordering next?