Lagunitas IPA
Stone IPA
Russian River Blind Pig
Firestone Walker Union Jack
Ballast Point Sculpin
Description
Vampire Weekend is to indie rock as IPA is to craft beer -- people who are into the social cachet aspect of beer-drinking say they like IPAs to show their outside-of-mainstream cred, but it's the example that everyone uses, thereby rendering it decidedly mainstream.
That said, it's a lot of people's introduction to the craft beer world, and is an interesting, now somewhat-ubiquitous style. It couldn't be more shocking to try an American IPA (as opposed to the more traditional British version)
Budweiser
Miller High Life
Pabst Blue Ribbon
Coors Original
Description
Lagers (specifically American Light or American Lagers) are what you were drinking before you were old enough to legally drink. They are typically served very cold, and are meant to be refreshing.
They aren't technically "craft beer", as they represent a good portion of the most widely-available beer in America, but they are very difficult to brew properly -- it's not a style that homebrewers tend to try out. It's a testament to the consistency and quality of the Budweiser/Coors/Miller-sized b
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Stone Pale Ale
Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Firestone Walker Pale 31
Description
Pale Ales are another good gateway to the world of craft beer. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is one of the most solid, easily-accessible beers that there is. American-style Pale Ales tend to be hoppy, but more balanced than an IPA, and are usually quite refreshing. It's a good, drinkable beer that is more substantial than your standard lager.
The folks at the BJCP define American-style Pale Ales as, "A pale, refreshing and hoppy ale, yet with sufficient supporting malt to make the beer balanced and dr
New Belgium Fat Tire
Mendocino Brewing Co. Red Tail Ale
North Coast Red Seal
Anderson Valley Boont Amber
Description
The beer equivalent of Fall, if only in color. Ambers/Red Ales typically have a hoppy, bitter character, tempered by some malt sweetness. Some have a distinct booziness and warmth, though in good examples, this is never overwhelming.
The BJCP describes Ambers/Red Ales as "an amber, hoppy, moderate-strength American craft beer with a caramel malty flavor. The balance can vary quite a bit, with some versions being fairly malty and others being aggressively hoppy. Hoppy and bitter versions should
Trumer Pils
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils
Lagunitas Pilsner
Paulaner Premium Pils
Description
Pilsners (or Pilseners, or Pils) are a very drinkable, clean, refreshing style of beer. The German and Czech-styles are predominant, both of which are similar enough to be considered siblings. A utility beer, they are good in all seasons and with many different kinds of food. It is a well-defined style, but has room for movement within it that makes trying new types a joy.
The BJCP describes pilsners as, "A light-bodied, highly-attenuated, gold-colored, bottom-fermented bitter German beer showi
Belgian-style beers are a whole world unto themselves, with a remarkable amount of variation. For simplicity's sake, we will cover three varieties in this guide that you are likely to find on a grocery store shelf or in a bar serving craft beer.
Belgian-Style Blond(e) Ales are an approachable style and good introduction to non-drinking game beers. They are typically golden-colored, with hints of spice characteristics. While easy to drink, they can pack a deceptive alcoholic punch. They tend to
Chimay Red (Première)
Allagash Double
New Belgium Abbey
Westmalle Dubbel
Description
Dubbel (or Double) beers are a complex, varied style. They are sometimes referred to as "Abbey" beers, hinting at their monastic brewing origins. They have a distinctive richness to them, implying fruits like raisins, figs, or plums, as well as bananas, in taste and aroma. The malt character can be reminiscent of chocolate or toast. This is a good beer to drink to act like you know about beer.
The BJCP describes Dubbel beers as "a deep reddish-copper, moderately strong, malty, complex Trappist
Anchor Porter
Deschutes Black Butte Porter
Sierra Nevada Porter
Description
Porters are a darker style that can vary by region (Baltic-style, English-style, etc.) There is a smoked variation and they can be bulked up to Imperial status. For simplicity's sake, we will focus on the American-style porters here. Like most things American, they are bigger and bolder than their counterparts elsewhere in the world, and with less of a tendency for warmongering (what better way to prevent wars than drinking beer together?)
There is a great deal of complexity to porters. They ar
Saison Dupont
Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
Prairie Standard
Description
Saisons (sometimes called farmhouse ales) are a dry, flavorful, surprisingly strong type of beer. Refreshing and drinkable, there is room for all sorts of complexity -- they can range from hop-forward to richer and more malty, to sour or funky. A nice alternative to hop-bomb prevalence.
The BJCP defines this style as follows: "Most commonly, a pale, refreshing, highly-attenuated, moderately-bitter, moderate-strength Belgian ale with a very dry finish. Typically highly carbonated, and using non
Russian River Supplication
New Belgium Eric's Ale
Russian River Temptation
The Bruery Rueuze
The Bruery Saison Rue
Boulevard Saison Brett
Description
Sour beer/wild ales are unusual, sometimes off-putting styles. There is an extremely wide variability to these beers, which makes them simultaneously exciting and daunting to begin tasting.
It helps to go into trying sour beers with a different mindset -- if you approach it like wine, you are more likely to be able to enjoy it on its own terms. Some smell inviting, others like a cow pasture; some taste delicious and fruity, others have a puckering sourness.
It's a fascinating genre of beer w
Chimay Blue (Grande Rèserve)
Rochefort 10
Unibroue La Terrible
Description
Quadrupel (or Quad)-style beers are a stronger version of the Dubbel or Tripel. High in alcohol content and extremely complex, this is a rich style with plenty of layers to delve into. You should probably not drink a bomber by yourself, no matter how delicious.
The BJCP describes Quads as if they were James Bond: "A dark, complex, very strong Belgian ale with a delicious blend of malt richness, dark fruit flavors, and spicy elements. Complex, rich, smooth and dangerous."
Bitterness (IBU)
20 - 35
Alcohol (ABV)
8.0 - 12.0%
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IPA (India Pale Ale)
Loaded
Name
IPA (India Pale Ale)
Glassware
Tulip
Notes
A tulip glass not only helps trap the aroma, but also aids in maintaining large heads, creating a visual and olfactory sensation. The body is bulbous, but the top flares out to form a lip which helps head retention. It is recommended for serving Scottish ales, American double/imperial IPAs, barleywines, Belgian ales and other aromatic beers. Some pint glasses which taper outwards towards the top are also called tulip glasses, despite having notably less curvature.
Use with These Styles
Belgian-Style Dubbel (Double)
Belgian-Style Blonde Ale
Pale Ale
Saison / Farmhouse Ale
Sour/Wild Ale
IPA (India Pale Ale)
Shaker Pint
Notes
The standard, 16 oz. American pint glass. There are rumblings from within the US craft beer community that this glass, designed to shake cocktails, should not be the standard.
In an article (https://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/the-shaker-pint), Dr. Michael Lewis, Ph.D., professor emeritus of brewing science at U.C. Davis, describes the downside of the shaker pint: "The glass [shaker pint] is almost perversely designed to dissipate those very items the glass should enhance — that is: to
Use with These Styles
Amber / Red Ale
Porter
Lager
Pale Ale
Stout
IPA (India Pale Ale)
Readily-Available Examples
Lagunitas IPA
Stone IPA
Russian River Blind Pig
Firestone Walker Union Jack
Ballast Point Sculpin
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Description
Vampire Weekend is to indie rock as IPA is to craft beer -- people who are into the social cachet aspect of beer-drinking say they like IPAs to show their outside-of-mainstream cred, but it's the example that everyone uses, thereby rendering it decidedly mainstream.
That said, it's a lot of people's introduction to the craft beer world, and is an interesting, now somewhat-ubiquitous style. It couldn't be more shocking to try an American IPA (as opposed to the more traditional British version) when you are coming from a college-drinking perspective -- they are hoppy and very bitter.
The style lends itself well to variation (Belgian IPAs, Black IPAs, Red IPAs, etc.), which means there is plenty to explore -- a current trend is to add fruit (grapefruit, mango) that lends itself well to the citrusy characteristics of certain kinds of hops.
Imperial IPAs are definitely a thing, and often seem to be "hop bombs" solely as an excuse to push the envelope for the sake of pushing the envelope, but there are plenty of tasteful, delicious examples to get you started.
The authorities at BJCP define the American IPA as "a decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale, showcasing modern American or New World hop varieties. The balance is hop-forward, with a clean fermentation profile, dryish finish, and clean, supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through."
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Bitterness (IBU)
40 - 70
Alcohol (ABV)
5.5 - 7.5%
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Attachments
american-india-pale-ale.jpg
Appearance (BJCP)
Color ranges from medium gold to light reddish-amber. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Medium-sized, white to off-white head with good persistence.
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Aroma
Citrus
Floral
Pine
Spicy
Resinous
Tropical Fruit
Stone Fruit
Melon
Berry
Flavor
Hop flavors: Medium to very high, reflecting New World hop character (see Aroma for examples). Medium high to very high hop bitterness
Malt flavors: Low to medium low
Esters: Less yeast-derived
Finish: Bitter, though certain types of malt can lead to sweeter finish
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Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, with a smooth texture. Medium to medium-high carbonation. No harsh hop-derived astringency. Can have very light, smooth alcohol warming.