Beer styles: lager, pale ale, IPA and hazy
What the words on the can mean, from a crisp lager to a juicy hazy IPA, and how bitter each one is.
In short
- Lager: crisp, clean, the least bitter.
- Pale ale: a little more hop and flavour.
- IPA: hoppy and bitter. Hazy: hoppy but soft and juicy.
Four styles, side by side
 Peroni Nastro Azzurro 12x330B |  Little Creatures PA 6x330B |  Behemoth Heres Chu IPA 440C |  Urbanaut Diamond Head 6x330C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Lager | Pale ale | IPA | Hazy IPA |
| Tastes like | Crisp, clean, light | Citrus and a little bitterness | Grapefruit and pine | Juicy and soft |
| Bitterness | Low | Medium | Medium to high | Low to medium |
| Per drink | $2.50 | $4.17 | $4.00 | |
| Price | $29.99 | $24.99 | $7.99 | $23.99 |
Swipe to compare
What the words mean
From the lightest to the boldest.
Lager is fermented cold, which gives it a clean, crisp taste. Most of the world’s best selling beers are lagers.
Pale ale uses more hops, so it has more flavour and a little more bitterness.
IPA stands for India pale ale. It is a pale ale with even more hops, so it is more bitter and often stronger.
Hazy IPAs are cloudy and soft. The hops give them a juicy, tropical taste with less bitterness than a classic IPA.
- Dark beers (stouts and porters): roasty, like coffee or chocolate.
- Sours: tart and fruity, a good one to try if you do not like bitter beer.
Lager: crisp and clean
The easy one.
Light, dry and refreshing.
- Style
- Lager
- Good with
- Pizza and pasta
- Per drink
- About $2.50
Pale ale: a little more hop
More flavour, still easy.
Bright citrus and stone fruit from the hops, with a refreshing balance.
- Style
- Pale ale
- Good with
- Fish and chips
- Per drink
- About $4.17
IPA: hoppy and bold
For the hop fans.
A hop forward NZ craft IPA with bold citrus and pine flavours, balanced bitterness and a smooth body.
- Style
- IPA
- Tastes like
- Grapefruit and pine
Hazy: soft and juicy
Hops without the bite.
A hazy IPA with balanced hops and a clean finish.
- Style
- Hazy IPA
- Good with
- Spicy food
- Per drink
- About $4.00
Quick answers
What does IPA mean?
India pale ale: a hoppy, more bitter pale ale.
What is a hazy beer?
A cloudy IPA that tastes juicy and soft, with less bitterness.
Which beer is least bitter?
A lager. Hazies are next, then pale ales and IPAs.
Up next
All guidesBehemoth cans to try first
Three single cans from the Auckland brewery, from a pale ale to a hazy IPA to an IPA.
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