12 top beer varieties to be familiar with.
Short-list of popular beer types. What do you drink now? What are your favorites? This is important when you walk into a place that has 100 beers on tap.
My personal favorite go-to technique is to order a “sampler” (generally 4-6 small pours). I ask for a wide range, a pale ale to a stout, and let the bartender decide.
The last piece of advice I have for you is… if you see a “bacon beer” never order it YUCK! It’s great with eggs, blt’s and a burger but not in any beer I’m drinking. Cheers!
Know Your Beers | Know Your Breweries | Oktoberfest in Contra Costa
Light Gold Color Beers…
- American Light Lager is the most popular beer style in the world. It is light in color and body, with a crisp, and refreshing taste. Examples: Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite.
- Pilsner is a pale lager that originated in the Czech Republic. It has a golden color, crisp taste, and a subtle hop aroma. Try Pilsner Urquell, Firestone Walker Pivo, and Trumer Pilsner.
- Lager is typically light in body and flavor, with a crisp finish. These are everywhere: Budweiser, Corona, and Heineken.
- Pale Ales popular beer variety, with gold and amber color, and hoppier and less malty flavor in California. A little harder to find: Drakes, Port SPA, Alesmith.
Medium Deep Gold, Red Beers…
- India Pale Ale (IPA) hoppy, bitter beer that originated in England. One of the most popular beer styles in the world. California is known for hoppy: Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Lagunitas, and Ballast Point.
- Wheat Beer Made with wheat malt. Has a cloudy appearance, banana and clove aroma, and smooth, tart flavor. Very drinkable: Hefeweizen, Blue Moon, Widmer .
- Ale fermented at warmer temperatures than lagers. Ales are typically more full-bodied and flavorful, with a complex aroma. Wide variety in this category: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Fat Tire, and New Brown Ale.
- Saison is a Belgian ale that is known for its fruity, spicy flavor. Typically brewed in the spring and summer, and is often served with a slice of orange. Visit a local brewery: Goose Island, Jack Rabbit, Saison Dupont.
Heavy Dark Brown Beers
- Porter dark, malty beer that originated in London. Smooth, roasted flavor with a chocolatey aroma. Lots of people think of this as seasonal: Everett Farmstead, American Porter, Deschutes Black Butte Porter.
- Stout is a dark, roasted beer that originated in Ireland. Full-bodied flavor, coffee aroma, and creamy head. Readily available: Guinness Stout, Founders Breakfast Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout.
- Barleywine strong, sweet ale known for its caramel, toffee, and raisin flavors. This is an acquired taste: Copper Kettle, Old Foghorn, Grow Old.
- Belgian Tripel is a strong, golden ale that is brewed with three types of malt and two types of hops. It is known for its complex flavor, with notes of fruit, spice, and alcohol. It’s available: Westmalle Tripel, Allagash, and Duvel.
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