For those who are new to the world of brew, looking at a craft beer menu might seem immediately overwhelming. There are lots of different varieties of beer, along with differences in how they are made and the flavor profiles, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. We are here to help you look like a pro and find the brew just for you off a craft beer menu with these tips.
- Common Styles: There are a few common styles that will appear regularly on craft beer menus, so this will help narrow the field considerably based on your preferred flavors. Ales is the most recognizable category, well known for a fruity flavor and scent. IPAs, or pale ales, have a milder malt taste. Lagers and pilsners offer a lighter, crisper flavor and are often a good starting point for beginners.
- IBUs: This stands for “International Bitterness Units” measuring how many bittering compounds the beer contains. The most common range is between 10 and 80. This number can be used as a general guide to determine how bitter one beer is to another.
- Alcohol Content: Craft beer typically contains about 5-10% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is also higher than domestic beers. Keep this in mind when ordering your drinks!
One of the best ways to get started is to ask for a recommendation and keep tasting until you find a beer you love. Ordering a flight allows you to get smaller samples of different styles, so you can try a variety to see what you enjoy. Here at Steamers Sports Pub, we offer a range of craft beer options that have been tried and vouched for by our own team and many guests. Come in and ask for a recommendation!