Buying beer without getting it wrong: 10 mistakes to avoid. Buying online offers far more choice than a supermarket shelf, but the sheer breadth of the selection can make it difficult to decide. Lager or IPA? A light beer or one with a high alcohol content? Bottle or can? Relying solely on the most eye-catching label often leads to choosing a beer that is far from suited to your tastes.
The solution is not to always buy the same label. Simply learn to recognize a few clues: style, aromatic profile, alcohol content, body, format, and drinking occasion. Here are the ten most common mistakes to avoid when buying beer and what to choose instead.
1. Choosing the trendy beer instead of one suited to your tastes
A highly regarded beer is not automatically the right one for you. Those who enjoy dry, bitter beers might appreciate a West Coast IPA, while those looking for softness and tropical aromas may prefer a NEIPA. If you prefer a clean, thirst-quenching beer, a Lager, a Pils, or a Kölsch may be a better choice.
What to choose: start with the sensations you are looking for, such as freshness, bitterness, sweetness, acidity, roastiness, or intensity, and only then consider the style.
2. Thinking that all Lagers are light and bland
“Lager” does not mean a characterless beer. The term identifies a large family that includes dry, hoppy Pils, soft, malty Helles, structured Bock, dark Dunkel, and Czech Lager with a well-defined personality.
What to choose: try a Pils if you are looking for freshness and a dry finish, a Helles if you prefer balance and softness, or a Bock if you want more body and intensity.
3. Believing that all IPAs are the same
The IPA designation encompasses very different interpretations. West Coast IPA tends to be dry, bitter, resinous, and citrusy. NEIPA is often softer, hazier, and focused on tropical aromas. Session IPA and Pale Ale prioritize drinkability, while Double and Triple IPA increase structure, intensity, and alcohol content.
What to choose: if you do not enjoy pronounced bitterness, do not write off the entire category: look for a Hazy IPA or a NEIPA. If you want a crisp, resinous beer, go for a West Coast IPA.
4. Looking only at the alcohol content
ABV is useful, but it does not tell the whole story about flavor. A low-alcohol beer can be highly aromatic, while a strong beer can be balanced and easy-drinking. Alcohol content is mainly useful for understanding the pace of consumption and, together with the style, provides an indication of body and intensity.
What to choose: for an aperitif, look for light beers, Session IPA, Pils, or non-alcoholic beers. For a leisurely tasting, consider Tripel, Quadrupel, Barley Wine, Double IPA, or Imperial Stout.
5. Ignoring food pairings
Beer can enhance a dish as much as wine. Carbonation, roastiness, sweetness, and bitterness can cleanse the palate, create contrast, or echo the flavors of the food.
What to choose: Pils and Lager with fried foods, pizza, and light dishes; IPA with burgers, spicy meats, and flavorful cheeses; Blanche and Saison with fish and vegetables; Porter and Stout with roasted meats, chocolate, and desserts that are not too sweet. With desserts, avoid very bitter beers and choose a drink at least as sweet as the dessert.
6. Not considering the season and occasion
There are no seasonal rules, but temperature and context change how beer is perceived. In summer, a Pils, a Kölsch, a Blanche, or a non-alcoholic beer can be particularly enjoyable. In autumn and winter, Bock, Belgian Ale, Porter, Stout, and more full-bodied beers become especially appealing.
What to choose: think first about when you’ll drink it. A beer for an aperitif, a bottle to share at dinner, and a sipping beer each require different characteristics.
7. Neglecting freshness and storage
Beer is sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen. Highly hopped styles, such as IPA and NEIPA, generally express their aromas better when fresh. Other full-bodied or refermented beers can instead evolve over time if stored correctly.
What to choose: check the information on the packaging and store the beer away from light and temperature fluctuations. For hop-forward beers, prioritize freshness; for beers suitable for aging, follow the producer’s recommendations.
8. Thinking that a bottle is always better than a can
A can is not a second-rate container. It provides complete protection from light, is lightweight, and chills quickly. Bottles remain excellent for many styles, especially for formats meant to be shared and refermented beers, but the material alone does not determine quality.
What to choose: consider the brewery, style, storage conditions, and package integrity. If an interesting beer is available only in a can, there is no good reason to dismiss it.
9. Buying large quantities of a beer you have never tasted
An accurate description reduces the risk, but taste remains personal. Buying an entire pack of an unfamiliar style right away can turn curiosity into waste.
What to choose: try a single bottle or can, or create a mixed selection. Pair something new with a beer you already know: you’ll broaden your tastes without turning the purchase into a gamble.
10. Always buying the same beers for fear of making a mistake
Staying in your comfort zone helps avoid some disappointments, but it prevents you from discovering new breweries, ingredients, and interpretations. The best way to experiment is not to choose at random, but to move by similarity.
What to choose: note the styles, hops, and sensations of the beers you love. If you enjoy a NEIPA with Citra and Mosaic, look for similar tropical profiles. If you love the coffee notes of a Stout, try a Porter or Coffee Stout.
How to choose the right beer in seconds
- Fresh and easy-drinking: Pils, Helles, Kölsch, or Blanche.
- Citrusy or tropical: Pale Ale, IPA, or NEIPA.
- Roasty and full-bodied: Porter or Stout.
- Intense and made for tasting: Tripel, Quadrupel, Double IPA, or Imperial Stout.
- Light or alcohol-free: Session Beer and alcohol-free beers.
Turn your choice into a tasting
At Maltese, you will find hundreds of labels from over 200 producers, from craft Lager to IPA, Pils to Porter and Stout, as well as light, alcohol-free, and high-strength beers. Use style, flavor profile, and drinking occasion as your guide, then choose a few different bottles or cans: it is the easiest way to truly understand what you like.
Start with the beer family closest to your tastes and build your own selection. The right beer is not the most famous one: it is the one you will want to drink again.
Frequently asked questions about choosing beer
How do I choose a beer if I don't know the styles?
Start with the sensations you prefer: freshness, bitterness, sweetness, roastiness, or intensity. Pils and Lager are often fresh and easy-drinking, IPA and NEIPA are more aromatic, while Porter and Stout offer roasted notes.
Is a beer with more alcohol always more flavorful?
No. Alcohol content can affect body and intensity, but it does not measure flavor on its own. Even a light or alcohol-free beer can be highly aromatic.
What is the difference between West Coast IPA and NEIPA?
West Coast IPA tends to be drier, more bitter, and more resinous. NEIPA is generally softer and hazier, with tropical aromas and less aggressive bitterness.
Is it better to buy beer in a bottle or a can?
Both formats can preserve beer well. Cans provide complete protection from light and are lightweight; bottles are common for sharing formats and bottle-conditioned beers. Quality depends mainly on the product and how it is stored.
How can I try new beers without risking a bad choice?
Buy individual bottles or cans and create a mixed selection. Start with styles or flavor profiles similar to those you already enjoy, pairing something new with a familiar beer.
