Craft Beer 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Tasting and Appreciating Craft Beers

Hey there! So, you're curious about craft beer but maybe a little hesitant to dive in? Don’t worry—you’re in the right place! Craft beer can seem intimidating at first with its fancy names, unique flavors, and the endless options, but I’m here to make it simple (and fun!). Let's take that first step on your journey in discovering the world of craft beer, including some tasty, and well-known, recommendations you can try right now!

Now, I want to mention that this isn’t an all-encompassing guide—think of it as a starting point, a little sip of knowledge to get you going. Craft beer is a big, exciting world, and there’s plenty to explore. In this post, we’re sticking to the absolute basics to make it easy for you to dive in. But don’t worry, as time goes on, we’ll be breaking down each style, technique, and tasting tip in much more detail. For now, let’s enjoy the first steps into the world of craft beer!

What Is Craft Beer Anyway?

In simple terms, craft beer is brewed by smaller, independent breweries that focus on quality, flavor, and innovation. Unlike mass-produced beers, craft brewers have the freedom to experiment with ingredients, creating unique brews that push the boundaries of what beer can taste like. It's like the difference between a homemade meal versus fast-food.

Getting Started Tasting Craft Beers

When trying craft beer, the key is to approach it like you would a wine tasting (but way more laid-back!). Feel free to write things down and keep notes for your tastings. You could even start a beer journal so you can look back and see what you've enjoyed over the years. Here are a few tips to help you taste like a pro:

• Look: Start by examining the beer's appearance. The color can range from pale, straw-like gold to deep, almost black, depending on the style. Clarity is also important—some beers, like lagers and pilsners, will be crystal clear, while others, like hazy IPAs or unfiltered wheat beers, will look cloudy, much like orange juice. The foam, or "head," can also tell you something about the beer’s freshness and carbonation.

  
  

• Smell: Before sipping, give the beer a good sniff. The aroma reveals a lot about the ingredients used. You might catch hints of citrus, pine, or floral notes in hoppy beers like IPAs. In stouts, expect richer scents like chocolate, coffee, or even roasted malt. Some beers may also have fruity, spicy, or herbal undertones, depending on the yeast and additives used. Don’t rush—enjoy the complexity of the scent.

  
  

• Taste: When you take a sip, let the flavors unfold on your palate. The first impression could be sweetness from the malt, bitterness from the hops, or a tart, fruity tang in certain styles like sours. Pay attention to the transitions between flavors—beers often develop complexity as they warm up in your mouth. Is it balanced, or does one element dominate?

  
  

• Mouthfeel: This refers to how the beer physically feels in your mouth. Is it light and bubbly, making it refreshing and easy to drink, or is it thick and creamy, coating your mouth with each sip? Some beers have a velvety, smooth texture, while others might feel more effervescent or even sharp due to carbonation.

  
  

• Finish: Finally, consider how the beer leaves your palate. Does the flavor linger with a bitter aftertaste, or does it fade quickly, leaving your mouth refreshed? Some beers, like stouts and barrel-aged brews, may have a warm, lingering finish, while crisp lagers and pilsners often end clean and crisp.

  
  

Popular Craft Beer Styles

Craft beer comes in all shapes and sizes, but here are a few styles that are great for beginners:

• IPA (India Pale Ale): Known for its hoppy bitterness, IPAs come in many varieties. A West Coast IPA is typically crisp and piney, while a Hazy IPA has more juicy, fruity flavors.

  • You might have heard of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Lagunitas IPA.

    
    

• Pilsner: If you like something lighter, pilsners are crisp, clean, and easy to drink. Perfect for a sunny day.

  • You might have heard of Budweiser, an American Pilsner, or the golden standard for Pilsner, Pilsner Urquell, coming from the Czech Republic.

    
    

• Stout: On the darker side, stouts are rich and full-bodied, often with flavors of coffee, chocolate, or roasted malt.

  • You might have heard of the iconic Guinness Draught.

    
    

• Sour: Feeling adventurous? Sours can be tart, fruity, and super refreshing. Think of them as the lemonade of the beer world.

  • You might have heard of Lindemans Framboise or New Belgium La Folie.

    
    

Trending Craft Beers in 2024

California is home to some of the best craft breweries in the world, and I’ve got a few delicious picks from the Golden State that you should definitely check out:

• Pliny the Elder (Russian River Brewing Co.) [Link] – Now if you already know a little bit about craft beer then you likely have heard of this iconic and beloved double IPA. It’s bold and hoppy, yet still manages to maintain a perfect balance of pine, citrus, and resinous bitterness. The bitterness isn't overwhelming, and there’s a clean, dry finish that leaves you wanting more. With a cult following, this beer was one of the pioneers of the West Coast IPA style, and even though it’s been around for a while, it’s still setting the standard in 2024.

• 805 (Firestone Walker Brewing Co.) [Link] – Named after the area code for Firestone Walker’s home in Paso Robles, California, 805 is a great gateway beer for those who may be new to craft brews. This blonde ale is light, smooth, and slightly sweet, making it incredibly easy to drink. It has hints of honey and malty sweetness without the bitterness that IPAs are known for. It’s perfect for hot days, BBQs, or as an introduction for those who usually prefer lighter beers. With 805, you're getting craft beer quality without the intensity

• Deep Haze (Knee Deep Brewing Co.) [Link] – Hazy IPAs have taken the craft beer scene by storm, and Deep Haze is a shining example of why they’re so popular. Knee Deep Brewing, based in Auburn, CA, has mastered the art of the hazy, juicy IPA. Deep Haze bursts with tropical fruit flavors like mango and pineapple, balanced by a smooth, low bitterness. It’s bright, juicy, and practically “California sunshine” in a glass—perfect for those who want something fruity but not overtly sweet​.

  
  

• Party Tricks (AleSmith Brewing Co.) [Link] – AleSmith is known for making some of the best beers in Southern California, and Party Tricks is their take on the classic West Coast IPA. This beer is all about hop-forward flavor with notes of grapefruit, strawberry, and passionfruit, thanks to a unique blend of hops. It’s got a crisp, dry finish that keeps it refreshing while still packing a flavorful punch. For fans of hoppy beers, this is a must-try. It’s like the best parts of summer wrapped up in a can.

  
  

• Tangerine Express Hazy IPA (Stone Brewing) [Link] – Stone Brewing is one of the most well-known names in craft beer, and Tangerine Express is a delightful twist on their usual hop-heavy IPAs. This hazy IPA adds real tangerine puree to the mix, which gives it a bright, juicy citrus kick that plays beautifully against the bitterness of the hops. If you’re into IPAs but want something with a fruity, tropical edge, this beer will definitely hit the spot.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment!

The best part of starting your craft beer journey is that there’s something for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try something new and, if you’re not sure, many breweries offer tasting flights so you can sample different styles without committing to a full pint. Start with something familiar like a pilsner or blonde ale, and work your way up to more adventurous brews like sours and stouts.

And remember, every craft beer tells a story—whether it's about the ingredients, the brewer's passion, or even the local community that supports the brewery. So now it's time to dive into the world of craft beer. Start with one of the styles of beers mentioned here, and be sure to come back for more tips, tasting notes, and beer recommendations as you continue your journey. Hoppy sipping!

Cheers! 🍻