Craft Beer Style Selection Guide
Choosing a craft beer can seem complicated with hundreds of labels, styles, and breweries. But with the right selection criteria, finding the perfect beer for your tastes and every occasion becomes simple and fun.
In this practical guide, you will discover the 5 fundamental criteria to choose the right craft beer, with concrete advice and recommended products to start your journey into the world of quality beer.
1. Choose Based on Beer Style
Style is the first selection criterion and determines the general character of the beer. Here are the main styles and when to choose them:
Lager and Pilsner - For Those Seeking Freshness
Light, clean, and easy-drinking beers. Perfect for summer, beginners, or to accompany light meals. Moderate strength (4-5%) and delicate bitterness.
When to choose them: Aperitif, summer lunch, after sports
Pale Ale and IPA - For Hop Lovers
Hoppy beers with fruity, citrus, or tropical notes. IPAs are more intense and bitter, Pale Ales more balanced. Medium strength (5-7%).
When to choose them: Structured aperitif, pairing with spicy or fried foods
Amber and Red Ale - The Perfect Balance
Amber beers with caramel and malt notes. Balance between sweetness and bitterness. Medium strength (5-6%).
When to choose them: Autumn dinner, pairing with red meats or aged cheeses
Stout and Porter - For Bold Palates
Dark beers with notes of coffee, chocolate, and roasted malts. Full-bodied and medium-high strength (5-8%).
When to choose them: After dinner, pairing with chocolate desserts, winter evenings
Weiss and Blanche - Fresh and Spicy
Wheat beers with notes of banana, clove, and citrus. Light and refreshing. Moderate strength (4-5%).
When to choose them: Summer, brunch, pairing with fish and salads
2. Check the Alcohol Content (ABV)
Alcohol content influences the body, intensity, and occasion for drinking the beer:
Light (3-4.5% ABV): Session beers, perfect for drinking several glasses without feeling heavy. Ideal for lunch or afternoon.
Medium (4.5-6% ABV): Most craft beers. Balance between drinkability and structure. Versatile for any occasion.
Strong (6-9% ABV): Meditation beers, more complex and structured. To be enjoyed slowly, ideal for the evening.
Very Strong (9%+ ABV): Imperial, Barley Wine, Belgian Strong. To be savored like a spirit, in small quantities.
Practical tip: If you need to drive or drink during the day, choose beers under 5%. For an evening tasting, you can dare with higher ABV.
3. Assess the Bitterness (IBU - International Bitterness Units)
IBU measures the beer’s bitterness. The higher it is, the more bitter the beer:
Low bitterness (10-25 IBU): Lager, Weiss, malted beers. Sweet and easy to drink.
Medium bitterness (25-45 IBU): Pale Ale, Amber. Balance between malt and hops.
High bitterness (45-70 IBU): IPA, American Pale Ale. Hoppy and bitter.
Very high bitterness (70+ IBU): Double IPA, Imperial IPA. Only for true hop lovers.
Practical tip: If you are a beginner, start with IBU under 40. If you love bitter coffee and grapefruit, try beers above 50 IBU.
4. Choose Based on the Occasion
Every moment has its ideal beer:
Aperitif
Fresh and easy-drinking beers: Pilsner, Pale Ale, Blanche. ABV 4-5%, moderate bitterness.
Lunch
Light beers that don’t weigh you down: Lager, Session IPA, Weiss. ABV 3-5%.
Dinner
Structured beers that accompany food: Amber, Red Ale, Porter. ABV 5-7%.
After Dinner
Meditation beers: Stout, Imperial, Belgian Strong. ABV 7%+.
Summer
Refreshing beers: Lager, Weiss, Pale Ale. Served cold (4-6°C).
Winter
Full-bodied and dark beers: Porter, Stout, Barley Wine. Served less cold (8-12°C).
Gift
Tasting box with different styles or award-winning beers. Carefully curated packs and iconic beers.
5. Read the Label: What to Look For
A craft beer label contains valuable information:
Style: Tells you what to expect (IPA, Stout, Lager, etc.)
ABV (%): Alcohol content
IBU: Bitterness level (if indicated)
Ingredients: Malts and hops used give clues about the flavor
Production date: Hoppy beers (IPA) are best fresh (within 3-6 months). Dark and strong beers can age.
Serving temperature: Greatly influences the taste
Suggested pairings: Breweries often recommend foods to pair
Practical Tips to Avoid Mistakes
If You Are a Beginner
Start with balanced and not too extreme beers: Pale Ale, Amber, Weiss. Avoid Double IPA or Imperial Stout at the beginning.
Tip: Try a tasting box with different styles to understand what you like.
If You Love White Wine
Try fresh and fruity beers: Weiss, Saison, Pale Ale with citrusy hops.
If You Love Red Wine
Try structured and malty beers: Amber, Red Ale, Barley Wine.
If You Love Coffee
Try dark beers: Porter, Stout, especially those with added coffee.
If You’re Looking for Light Beers
Look for "Session" on the labels: Session IPA, Session Pale Ale. They have full flavor but low strength (3-4%).
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing
❌ Choosing only based on price: A craft beer costs more because it uses quality ingredients and artisanal processes. Saving money costs flavor.
❌ Always drinking the same style: The beauty of craft beer is variety. Explore new styles.
❌ Serving all beers ice cold: Dark and strong beers should be served at 10-12°C to appreciate their flavors.
❌ Ignoring the production date: Fresh IPA is better. Always check the date.
❌ Choosing beers that are too extreme at the beginning: If you are new, avoid Imperial, Sour, Lambic. Start with classic styles.
How to Start: Your First Purchase
If you don’t know where to start, here is a recommended path:
Step 1: Try a tasting box with 4-6 different styles (Lager, Pale Ale, Amber, Weiss, Stout)
Step 2: Identify the style you liked the most
Step 3: Explore variants of that style from different breweries
Step 4: Expand towards similar styles (e.g., from Pale Ale to IPA, from Amber to Red Ale)
Step 5: Dare with more extreme styles once you have developed your palate
Conclusion: The Right Beer Exists, You Just Need to Know How to Choose It
Choosing the right craft beer is not a matter of luck, but of knowing the right criteria: style, strength, bitterness, occasion, and personal preferences.
With this guide, you have all the tools to make informed choices and discover beers you will truly love. Remember: the beauty of craft beer is the journey of discovery. Every bottle is a new experience.
Ready to start your craft beer journey?
