Beer Styles

What kind of beer is Appenzeller Bier? First and foremost, a pale lager — a beer that is bottom-fermented and matures cold. In Switzerland, it's simply called Lager or Spezial; in Germany, it would be called Helles. A Helles is golden yellow, easy-drinking, and only lightly hopped, with a malty aroma and a mild finish.

The difference from a Pils lies in the hops. A Pils is noticeably more bitter, drier, and often has over 30 bittering units (IBU, the measure of bitterness). A Helles usually falls below that, which makes it taste rounder. It differs from a Märzen in color and alcohol: Märzen is darker and somewhat stronger.

A regional specialty is naturally cloudy beer. Locher's Quöllfrisch is a case in point — it's unfiltered and therefore slightly hazy. This category also includes beers labeled Kellerbier, which mature unfiltered in cask or tank. Exact figures for original gravity and alcohol vary by brand and are listed on the label.

Alongside these, there's also Weizenbier, dark beer, and seasonal beers that the breweries release under rotating names. Locher offers, by its own account, more than 40 different varieties. This shows just how broadly small Swiss breweries position themselves today, catering to other tastes beyond lager. For beginners, pale lager remains the reliable starting point, as it's easy to access and requires little prior knowledge. Those looking for something new afterward will find plenty of choice in Appenzell and St. Gallen.