What do the Brits call beer?

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Britain, with a rich history and culture surrounding it. From lagers to ales, stouts to bitters, the Brits have a unique lexicon when it comes to beer terminology that may confuse outsiders.

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Quick Answers

Here are some quick answers to common questions about what British people call different types of beer:

Lager – Brits use the term “lager” just like Americans do for pale, fizzy beers like Budweiser or Stella Artois.

Ale – Ales encompass most cask conditioned or real ales. Brits may call them “bitters,” “pale ales,” “amber ales,” etc.
Stout – Stouts are dark, top-fermented beers like Guinness. They have a thicker, creamier mouthfeel.
Porter – Porters are dark beers similar to stouts but lower in strength and bitterness.

Bitter – Traditionally the most popular type of cask ale in Britain. Bitters are amber or copper colored and moderately bitter.
Pint – The standard serving size for beer in UK pubs, equal to about 20 imperial fluid ounces.

Origins of Beer in Britain

The history of beer in Britain stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that Iron Age Britons were brewing ale-like beverages derived from grains, honey and fruits over 2500 years ago. The arrival of the Romans in Britain in the 1st century CE led to more advanced brewing techniques being introduced.

By the Middle Ages, brewing had become a booming industry in Britain. Monasteries played a key role, with monks perfecting the art of brewing ales. The use of hops as a preservative revolutionized beer in the 15th century, allowing British brews to be exported across Europe and beyond.

The Industrial Revolution saw a scaling up of brewing in Britain. Advances in science led to innovations such as the hydrometer, allowing brewers to precisely measure dissolved solids. Commercial breweries proliferated in urban centers like London and Manchester during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Types of Beer in Britain

Today Brits enjoy a wide range of locally produced and imported beers. But traditional British beer styles, especially cask ales, remain an important part of pub culture and drinking habits.

Ales

Ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeasts that rise to the surface during fermentation. They encompass most of the traditional beer styles drunk in British pubs. Ales include bitters, milds, pale ales, amber ales, brown ales and more.

Lagers

Lagers use bottom-fermenting yeasts and mature at colder temperatures. Mass-market lager brands like Carling, Fosters and Carlsberg are popular in Britain, but there are also some independent lager microbreweries.

Stouts and Porters

Stouts are very dark, top-fermented beers made with roasted malt or barley. Famous examples include the Irish stout Guinness and Imperial Russian Stouts. Porters are a lighter version in the same style family.

Cask Ale

Cask ale or real ale refers to beer served from a cask without added carbonation. Ale is manually pumped into the cask which finishes fermentation. Cask ales have a distinct smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Craft Beer

In recent decades, Britain has seen a boom in independent craft breweries making innovative new styles of beer with bold flavours. Craft beer has been influenced by the American scene but uses distinctive British ingredients.

Common British Beer Terminology

Here are some key terms Brits use when talking about beer that non-Brits may find confusing:

British Term	Meaning
Real Ale	Cask conditioned ale served without added CO2
Bitter	A type of pale, amber or copper colored ale with bitter taste
Pint	Standard serving of beer, equal to 20 imperial fluid ounces
Noble hops	Traditional European hop varieties used in many ales
Hand pump	Manual beer pump used to serve cask ale in pubs
IPA	India Pale Ale, heavily hopped pale ale style
Micropub	Small independent pub focusing on cask ale
ABV	Alcohol by volume
Session Ale	Lower-alcohol ale for drinking over a long session

Popular Beer Brands in Britain

While Britain is home to thousands of traditional and craft beer brands, these are some of the most ubiquitous and well-known:

Carling – Best selling lager brand in the UK, owned by brewing giant Molson Coors.
Stella Artois -Smooth, Euro lager with high ABV from global brand InBev.

Guinness – Iconic Irish dry stout brewed under license in Britain as well as Ireland.
Tetley’s – Yorkshire bitter popular across the North of England.
Fuller’s London Pride – Award-winning premium pale ale from a London brewery.

Old Speckled Hen – Fruity English ale from Greene King brewery.
Bass – Pale ale first brewed in 1777, now owned by AB InBev.
Bombardier – Distinctive amber bitter from Charles Wells Brewery.

Newcastle Brown Ale – Brown ale from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, now Heineken-owned.
Doom Bar – Cornish pale ale, flagship brand of Sharp’s Brewery.

British Pub Culture

The pub (public house) plays a central role in British social life and beer culture. Pubs are community institutions, places to gather with friends or watch football matches while enjoying a pint.

Traditional pubs focus on cask ales served from hand pulls on the bar. More modern chains and gastropubs also offer lagers, craft beers and dining menus. Some key aspects of pub etiquette include:

Ordering at the bar – No table service unless specified otherwise.
Paying cashlessly – Most pubs now accept credit/debit cards and contactless payments.

Tipping bar staff – Not strictly required but often done with spare change.
Rounds system – Taking turns to buy drinks for whole group.
Pub food – Most serve food ranging from bar snacks to full meals.

Pubs play a big role in communities, hosting events like quiz nights, live music, sports viewings and more. They are democratic spaces where people can freely mingle over a shared enjoyment of British beer.

Beer in British Culture

Beyond pubs, beer plays an important role in British culture and society:

Beer festivals – Events focused on sampling real ales and other craft beers.

Brewery tours – Many breweries like Fullers and Greene King offer tours and tastings.
Beer gardens – Outdoors spaces to enjoy beer in warmer months.
Beer and food pairing – Matching beer styles with dishes, akin to wine pairing.

Homebrewing – Crafting homemade beer is a popular hobby.
Real ale campaigning – Groups like CAMRA lobby to protect traditional brews.

Beer also holds significance in many British traditions and occasions:

Holidays – Beer flows freely during festive periods like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Big events – Major sports like football and rugby are closely associated with beer drinking.
Student life – Beer is central to student pub culture on university campuses.

Birthdays – A pint is the stereotypical birthday gift for Brits.
BBQs – Backyard grilling and beer drinking go hand-in-hand.

Despite Britain’s historically close relationship with beer, modern anti-alcohol movements have prompted a shift toward moderation and low-alcohol options for health-conscious drinkers.

Notable British Breweries

Some of the most famous and pioneering breweries in Britain include:

Fuller’s – London brewer renowned for its award-winning ales like London Pride.
Shepherd Neame – Britain’s oldest brewer, operating in Kent since 1698.

Marston’s – Ale brewer founded in the 19th century, known for Pedigree Bitter.
Wells & Youngs – Operates the UK’s largest ale brewery and owns Bombardier brand.
Greene King – Major brewer of ales like Abbot Ale and Old Speckled Hen.

Harvey’s – Independent Sussex brewery famed for its malty, hoppy ales.
St Austell – Cornwall-based brewer of brands like Proper Job and Tribute.
Samuel Smith – Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, known for its traditional craft ales.

Brewdog – Scottish brewer at forefront of Britain’s contemporary craft beer scene.
Camden Town – Trendy London brewer specializing in American-style craft beers.

Alongside these older large-scale breweries, today there are hundreds of smaller microbreweries and craft brewers across Britain offering distinct regional styles and experimental new flavors.

Beer Consumption Trends

Some interesting trends in British beer drinking habits include:

Decline of lager – Lager sales have fallen as consumers switch to craft beers and cask ales.
Low alcohol beer – Health aware Brits are increasingly choosing lower strength (ABV) beer options.

Craft beer boom – The UK craft beer scene has rapidly expanded, though still makes up a small market share.
Real ale renaissance – Cask ale consumption is rising after decades of decline led by young drinkers.
Canned and bottled beer – Take-home beer sales have risen during the pandemic versus draft beer.

Innovation – Unique new styles like Brut IPA keep attracting beer geeks.
Classic strength – Despite new options, traditional bitters remain top-selling ales.

So while lager giants like Carling still dominate, smaller independent breweries are contributing to an exciting new chapter in Britain’s long beer story.

Conclusion

In conclusion, beer is not just a beverage but a vital strand of British identity and culture. Though amplified by media stereotypes, the popularity of ale, lager and stout in pubs, homes and events is undeniable. While lagers have their place, cask conditioned ales are a unique British tradition and a source of pride.

The slang terms, drinking rituals, brewing landscape and tasting preferences surrounding beer give insight into the distinctive British psyche. At its best, beer facilitates community, celebration and responsible enjoyment of flavors old and new. Cheers to that!