Craft beer has become increasingly popular in recent years, with an explosion of flavors and styles to explore. However, when it comes to the best craft beers for beginners, navigating the vast world of hops and the different types of brewing methods can be a daunting task.
For me, I’ve been drinking craft beer since I got out of college and have always had a love for the craft breweries around Washington State and the West Coast. Respect My Region’s CEO Mitch and I both go out of our way to try different beers everywhere we travel to.
With so many options available, where does someone who is just getting into craft beer even start?
Before diving into specific beer recommendations, it’s essential to understand what craft beer is and what sets it apart from mass-produced beers.
What Is Craft Beer?
Craft beer is traditionally brewed by small, independent breweries that emphasize quality, flavor, and traditional brewing methods. Craft brewers often experiment with unique ingredients and styles, resulting in a diverse range of flavors and aromas.
When it comes to craft beers for beginners, it’s best to start with lighter, more approachable beer styles that won’t overwhelm your taste buds.
Some Lighter Craft Beers to Get You Started
Wheat Beers
Wheat beers, such as Belgian Witbier or German Hefeweizen, are refreshing and often have subtle fruity or spicy notes. They are typically light in body and lower in bitterness, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
Blonde Ales
Blonde ales are known for their balanced flavors and easy-drinking nature. They are usually light in color and have a clean, crisp finish, making them an ideal entry point for craft beer novices.
Pale Ales
Pale ales offer a slight step up in bitterness and hop flavors compared to blonde ales. They often have a refreshing citrusy character that can introduce you to the world of hop-forward beers without overwhelming your palate. I personally enjoy pale ales more than any other beer.
You’ll typically find me spending my money on four or five brands and products typically.
Elysian’s Space Dust, Georgetown Brewing Manny’s Pale Ale, Lagunitas, Pyramid’s various ales, and the Hazy Little Thing IPA from Sierra Nevada are all typically found in my hand at some point or another during the summertime.
Amber Ales and Brown Ales
Once you’ve become comfortable with lighter styles, it’s time to venture into slightly bolder territory. Amber and brown ales provide a smooth transition from lighter beers to darker, more robust flavors.
Here are a couple of Amber Ales and Brown Ale recommendations:
Amber Ales
Amber ales have a rich, caramel malt character that imparts a subtle sweetness. They often balance maltiness with a gentle hop presence, making them accessible to beginners who want to explore more complex flavors.
Brown Ales
Brown ales showcase a range of nutty, toasty, and caramel flavors. They tend to have a moderate bitterness level and a medium body. Brown ales offer a bridge between lighter styles and darker, heavier beers.
Hop-Forward Craft Beers for Beginners
For those who enjoy the bitterness and aroma of hops, it’s time to delve into hop-forward beers. While hop bitterness can be an acquired taste, these styles offer a great opportunity to expand your palate.
India Pale Ales (IPAs)
IPAs have gained immense popularity in the craft beer scene. They are characterized by a strong hop presence, resulting in bitterness and a wide range of fruity, floral, or citrusy flavors. Beginners can start with milder variations like English IPAs or session IPAs before venturing into more intense West Coast or hazy New England IPAs.
Pale Ales
We mentioned pale ales earlier, but it’s worth noting that they come in various hop-forward variations. Some pale ales, such as American pale ales or extra pale ales, have a more pronounced hop profile, offering a steppingstone to full-fledged IPAs.
Imperial IPAs
Also known as Double IPAs (DIPAs), are a style of beer that originated in the United States. They are characterized by their intense hop bitterness, high alcohol content, and strong hop flavors and aromas. However, while IPAs typically have a moderate to high alcohol content and a strong hop presence, Imperial IPAs take those characteristics to the next level.
The term “imperial” in the context of beer styles usually refers to a stronger and more robust version of a particular style. In the case of Imperial IPAs, they typically have a higher alcohol content ranging from 7% to 12% or even higher. This higher alcohol content provides a stronger backbone to balance the intense hop bitterness.
Imperial IPAs also showcase a generous amount of hops, which contribute to their pronounced bitterness, as well as citrusy, floral, and piney flavors and aromas. These beers often have a rich and malty base to support the hop character and provide a degree of sweetness to balance the bitterness.
Due to their higher alcohol content and intense hop flavors, Imperial IPAs are known for their bold and assertive nature. They are favored by beer enthusiasts who enjoy strong hop bitterness and the complexity of flavors that come with it.
It’s worth noting that the term “Imperial IPA” is not a strictly defined style and can vary slightly between breweries. Some variations may have different characteristics or ingredients, but overall, Imperial IPAs are known for being high in alcohol, heavily hopped, and robust in flavor.
Dark Craft Beer Recommendations for Beginners
Lastly, let’s explore the realm of dark beers. Dark beers encompass a wide range of styles, from rich stouts to complex porters. They often feature flavors like chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt.
Porters
Porters are known for their dark color and flavors of chocolate, coffee, and caramel. They are generally less bitter than stouts, making them a great entry point for beginners interested in exploring darker beers.
Stouts
Stouts are full-bodied, rich, and often have a creamy mouthfeel. They can exhibit flavors ranging from coffee and chocolate to dark fruits and even smokiness. While some stouts can be intimidating for beginners, there are lighter-bodied variants like dry stouts or milk stouts that offer a more approachable experience.
Embarking on a craft beer journey can be both exciting and overwhelming for beginners. By starting with lighter styles and gradually exploring different flavors, you can expand your palate and discover the diverse world of craft beer.
Remember to experiment, try different styles, and pay attention to your personal preferences. The best craft beer for beginners is the one that brings you joy and makes your taste buds tingle. Cheers to your beer exploration!
