There are many styles of beer out there and it is important to remember that not every beer fits neatly into a category. These are just general guidelines to help give a sense of the wonderful varied world of beer.

If a beer doesn’t fit into a classic category, it’s usually described as a specialty beer. Some specialty beers are based on old or regional brews. Some celebrate seasons or holidays. Some use unconventional brewing techniques. And some are simply the creative inventions of today’s brewers, with flavors and aromas that defy categorization.