How do popular Polish beers fit into the "periodic table of beers"? In Poland, outside of imports, microbreweries, and various less popular varieties, about all mainstream brands come in two classes:


Piwo Jasne ('light beer')
Piwo Mocne ('strong beer')


The two comprise the massive bulk of the market and are about never labeled differently, save for brand-specific marketing variations.

I'd like to learn how they fit into the wider image. Are they lagers, stouts, ales, or maybe something yet different? A class of their own?
Piwo Jasne is, translated, "light beer". It's the common market name for all 'light' beers, and they are mostly pilsners. 

Piwo Ciemne - this is "dark beer", so something like ale. They are dark, as the name suggests, and usually quite sweet. 

Piwo Mocne - this is simply the beer that is more condensed, so it has more alcohol. That can be light beers or dark beers (for example, very good dark strong beer "Warka Strong"). 

Those names are the most popular market classifications in Poland, but usually you'll find more details on label or producer's page. For example, many beers have information, that they are pilsner-type beers.