Tired of drinking the same local lagers? There’s literally a whole world of beer out there–and you don’t have to travel around it to enjoy those brews.
Brewing them at home isn’t just about flavor; it’s about discovering the stories, techniques, and ingredients that make each of these beers unique. And with iGulu’s built-in recipes and precision settings, even first-timers can pull off authentic results without guesswork. Let’s dive into discovering the craft behind each pint.
The Global Beer Style Map
Beer isn’t just a drink. It’s a cultural expression that’s tied to geography, climate, and history.
Beer styles fall into two broad categories, defined by their fermentation method: ales and lagers. Ales are brewed warm and fast, resulting in bold, fruity, sometimes spicy flavors. Lagers ferment low and slow, which makes them clean, crisp, and smooth.
But here’s where it gets interesting. How a beer ferments is just one part of the story. Why it tastes, looks, and feels the way it does depends on where it’s from.
Regional brewing traditions shape the soul of each style. Think local ingredients, old-school brewing laws, climate, and even the minerals in the water. And of course, we can’t forget about every country’s drinking culture, which definitely plays a role too.
Let’s take a look at some key global styles:
Belgium
Belgian brewers are all about complexity-think open fermentation and funky profiles. Take Wit as an example. This is not just your typical wheat beer–it’s cloudy, citrusy, and with a hint of coriander.
Germany
The Purity Law of the early 16th century limited brewers to water, barley, and hops. This restriction gave rise to clean beer styles, such as Pilsner and Hefeweizen, where technique, not additives, does all the talking.
UK
British beers are made for cooler weather and cask storage. Bitter is the classic British pub beer–it’s malty, lightly hopped, low-fizzing, and perfect for long conversations.
USA
American brewers went big. The IPA, for example, morphed from a British export into a punchy, hop-forward beer with intense citrus and pine notes.
Brazil
Imagine IPA with a tropical twist. Hazy IPAs brewed with local fruits like passionfruit or guava are like a vacation in a glass.
Japan
Adding rice to beer makes it lighter and smoother, perfectly matching the subtle flavors of Japanese cuisine. It’s crisp, clean, and delicate.
Czech Republic
Czech Pilsners set the bar for lagers. Soft water and noble hops give the beer smooth bitterness and an earthy finish.
Mexico
Cervezas are true session beers–created to beat the heat. Made with light malts and maize, they’re meant to go down easily, especially when served with a lime wedge.
Why Brew International Styles at Home
Whether it’s English Porter or Berliner Weisse, brewing global styles at home gives you freedom, flavor, and a whole lot of bragging rights at social gatherings.
First, you have total control. Want to make your Pale Ale more malty than hoppy? Well, that’s an easy fix. When you brew at home, you’re not stuck with what the store has. You can experiment with your brew and get it exactly how you like it.
But don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to memorize a bunch of complicated steps. iGulu brewing kits come with RFID tags, so there’s zero guesswork involved. Just scan the tag, add your ingredients, and the machine will automatically adjust the fermentation temps, timing, and conditioning.
Then, there’s the cost factor. Imported beers are pricey. Not to mention, they’ve been sitting on a shelf half the time longer than they should, so they could have gone stale, too. Brewing at home is not only more affordable in the long run, but it also saves you the trouble of hunting down rare bottles that may not even live up to the hype.
Let’s be honest, there’s something special about drinking a beer you made. Especially when it’s inspired by a totally different corner of the world. In a way, you’re recreating a tradition in your own kitchen.
Five Must-Try Global Styles with iGulu Kits
The great thing about iGulu’s smart brewing system is that you don’t need years of experience or a garage full of gear to make great beer. Each ingredient kit is already built around traditional recipes, letting you brew global beer styles at home. Here are five standout brews worth trying:
1. Irish Stout
Irish Stout evolved from the original London Porter, but it’s darker, creamier, and a bit bolder than its predecessor. What you get in a pint glass is a pitch-black brew with a thick, creamy head. Imagine it like the cozy sweater of beers–it has a rich, smooth, and satisfyingly bold flavor profile.
Key Characteristics:
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Color: Deep brown to full black, completely opaque in the glass
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Body: Medium to full
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ABV: 5.5-6%
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Head: Thick, tan, and creamy
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Flavor: Roasted barley, espresso, hints of coffee, and dark chocolate
iGulu Kit Compatibility:
You can make this beer using the Irish Stout Ingredient Kit.
Brewing Process with iGulu:
Brew: 12 days at 72°F
Condition: 3 days at 35°F
Flavor Notes & Pairings:
Expect a smooth mouthfeel with rich coffee and dark cocoa flavors. It’s not overly bitter, just perfectly balanced. Pairs well with roasted meats, hearty stews, or anything chocolatey (especially brownies or a flourless chocolate cake).
2. English Porter
English Porter is a classic British beer with a history dating back to 18th-century London. What makes it unique is its restrained hop bitterness and a balanced, malty flavor profile, which leans toward the smooth and roasty side. You’ll notice hints of caramel, chocolate, toffee, and coffee, followed by a velvety mouthfeel.
Key Characteristics:
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Color: Deep mahogany to nearly black
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Body: Medium-bodied
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ABV: 4%
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Head: Creamy with moderate retention
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Flavor: Malty and roasty, with notes of chocolate, coffee, caramel, and toffee
iGulu Kit Compatibility:
You can brew this style using the English Porter Kit, specially formulated to replicate the traditional London profile.
Brewing Process with iGulu:
Fermentation: 10 days at 68°F
Conditioning: 5 days at 35°F
Flavor Notes & Pairings:
The rich flavor of English Porter pairs well with a range of foods. Try it with roasted chicken, smoked meats, or a savory pie. For dessert, it’s a great match with chocolate truffles or even tiramisu.
3. Bavarian Wheat (Hefeweizen)
If you want to taste the essence of southern Germany in a glass, this classic Bavarian Hefeweizen is what you need to try. Thanks to the unique wheat yeast, it has a unique aroma of ripe banana, clove, citrus, bubblegum, and even a touch of vanilla. It’s low on bitterness but full of flavor, so it’s both easy-drinking and complex at the same time.
Key Characteristics:
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Color: Hazy straw to light amber
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Body: Light to medium
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ABV: 5%
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Head: Thick, white, and persistent
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Flavor: Banana, clove, citrus, hints of vanilla, and bubblegum
iGulu Kit Compatibility:
You can replicate this traditional German style with the iGulu Bavarian Wheat Kit.
Brewing Process with iGulu:
Fermentation:
• 1 day at 60.8°F (16°C)
• 8 days at 64.4°F (18°C)
Conditioning:
• 2 days at 35.6°F (2°C)
Flavor Notes & Pairings:
This beer is bright, fruity, and very refreshing, so it goes well with soft pretzels, weisswurst, citrusy salads, or even eggs Benedict. For dessert, you can pair it with banana bread or a light lemon tart.
4. American Pale Ale
American Pale Ale (APA) is considered the gateway into the world of craft beer. Inspired by English pale ales but reimagined with American hops, APA has a crisp, hop-forward flavor balanced by a gentle malt sweetness.
Key Characteristics:
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Color: Light golden, often clear but can lean slightly hazy
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Body: Medium-light
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ABV: ~4.8-5.2%
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Head: Moderate to dense white foam with good retention
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Flavor: Bright citrus (think grapefruit, lemon), floral and piney notes, a hint of toasted malt for balance
iGulu Kit Compatibility:
Brew it easily with the iGulu Pale Ale Ingredient Kit, designed to highlight the complex hop flavors of typical APAs.
Brewing Process with iGulu:
Fermentation:
• 1 day at 64.4°F (18°C)
• 4 days at 68°F (20°C)
• 2 days at 71.6°F (22°C)
Conditioning:
• 3 days at 37.4°F (3°C)
Flavor Notes & Pairings:
Imagine punchy citrus zest and subtle floral hints, rounded by a light toastiness from the malt. This flavor profile goes perfectly with grilled burgers, spicy tacos, or roasted chicken. It’s a beer that complements big flavors without overpowering them.
5. Berliner Weisse
Often called the "Champagne of the North," Berliner Weisse is known for its balanced acidity—it’s sour, but not overpowering. This style is perfect for anyone who likes the crispness of citrus-forward beers, but wants something lower in alcohol and easy to sip in the sun.
Key Characteristics:
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Color: Pale straw to light gold
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Body: Light and fizzy
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ABV: 3-3.2%
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Head: White, fluffy, and quick to dissipate
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Flavor: Bright tart, soft citrus, green apple undertones
iGulu Kit Compatibility:
Use the Berliner Weisser Ingredient Kit to replicate this light German style at home.
Brewing Process with iGulu:
Fermentation:
• 5 days at 77°F (25°C) – ideal for souring
• 1 day at 68°F (20°C) – standard yeast fermentation
Conditioning:
• 2 days at 36°F (2°C) – brightens and clarifies the beer
Flavor Notes & Pairings:
The Berliner Weisse's crisp, lively tartness goes well with goat cheese salads, ceviche, sushi, or lemon tarts. It also pairs nicely with fruity syrups (like raspberry or woodruff) if you want a traditional Berliner-style twist.
World Beer Tasting at Home
The best part about making beer from around the world in the coziness of your home is that you can throw a DIY global beer tasting for your close ones.
Start by organizing a simple flight setup. Choose small glasses, such as tulip or snifter glasses, which work best for aroma. Don’t forget to label each pour with the beer style and origin, so your guests know what they’re sampling. Arrange beers in a specific order, from lightest to darkest or lowest to highest ABV, to avoid getting tipsy early on.
Let’s talk about complementary snacks. Belgian Wit goes well with goat cheese, while German Pilsner suits pretzels or a sharp cheddar. For something spicy like an American IPA, you want something to balance, like grilled meats or Indian dishes. And a Berliner Weisse? It goes perfectly with fresh fruit or goat cheese.
Why not make it even more social? Turn your tasting gathering into a full-blown friends and family night with regional trivia and food pairings. If your loved ones live far away but love making beer as much as you do, plan a virtual tasting with them. Everyone gets the same styles and shares notes online!
You could even build a themed evening around a specific country. For instance, German beer night, Japanese izakaya pairings, or a UK pub-style quiz. This is such a great way to explore the world without leaving home.
Brew. Taste. Travel (From Home)
Ready to turn your kitchen into the world’s most interesting pub? Grab 2–3 iGulu kits or choose the iGulu Taste the World Bundle for a ready-made collection of globally inspired brews. Each kit brings a different tradition to life, whether it’s a creamy Irish Stout or a citrusy American Pale Ale.
Pair your brew with themed snacks or dishes, set up tasting cards, and explore how geography meets flavor. Brew the world, share your flight with #iGuluWorldBrew!
FAQs
What are the major global beer styles?
Some major styles include German Pilsner, Bavarian Wheat, British Bitter, American IPA, Czech Pilsner, and Mexican Cerveza.
Can I brew Belgian Wit with my iGulu brewer?
Yes, iGulu offers kits like Belgian Wit with built-in recipes to guide you through brewing easily.
How do I set up a beer tasting flight at home?
You can use small glasses labeled by style, pour beers from lightest to strongest, and pair with complementary snacks for a full tasting experience.
Are international brew kits hard to use?
Not at all. iGulu kits come with step-by-step instructions and automated controls, so the whole process is pretty straightforward.
How long does it take to brew a global-style beer?
Most brews take between 10 and 15 days to brew, including fermentation and conditioning.
Can I reuse yeast between different styles?
Yes, but it’s better to reuse yeast within similar styles for flavor consistency.
What’s the ideal serving temperature for each style?
Serving temps vary. Lagers and pilsners are best chilled (around 39–45°F), while ales like stouts and porters are better slightly warmer (50–55°F).
Can I use non-iGulu ingredients?
You can, but for the best results, we recommend using iGulu’s measured kits designed for each recipe.
How do I clean the brewer between different recipes?
iGulu includes a cleaning cycle and guidelines on how to rinse and sanitize before starting a new batch.
Are international iGulu kits available worldwide?
Availability varies by region. Check iGulu’s website for current shipping options.
