Best Beers To Drink: A Comprehensive Guide

what are good beers to drink

With so many beers to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you're a fan of light lagers, IPAs, stouts, or wheat beers, there's something for everyone.

If you're looking for a cheap, easy-drinking lager, you might opt for a Heineken, Miller High Life, Pabst Blue Ribbon, or Corona Extra. For something a little different, you could try a traditional German beer like Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, or a Belgian beer such as Leffe Blonde Ale.

For hoppier options, you could go for an IPA like Cigar City's Jai Alai, or a pale ale like Sierra Nevada. If you're feeling fancy, you might try a Belgian Strong Ale like Chimay Grande Reserve.

And if you're after something a little more innovative, you could experiment with a craft stout, or a New England-style IPA.

Whatever your taste, there's a beer out there for you.

Characteristics Values
Taste Bitter, Sweet, Sour, Citrusy, Malty, Hoppy, Crisp, Light, Dark, Smooth, Full-bodied, Spicy, Bready, Balanced, Bold, Strong, Dry, Carbonated, Juicy, Tropical, Bubblegum, Banana, Black pepper, Clove, Caramel, Nutty, Roasty, Piney, Earthy, Spicy, Yeasty, Tangy, Apple, Herbaceous, Bitter, Toasty, Buttery, Chocolatey, Coffee-tinged, Funky, Wheaty, Grainy, Rice, Skunky, Foamy, Creamy, Buttery, Vanilla, Cassava, Toffee, Barley, Peppery, Floral, Fruity, Tart, Bubblegum, Melon-forward, Citrus, Pepper, Fig, Plum, Raisin, Toast, Biscuit, Biscuit, Grapefruit, Coriander, Orange peel, Spice, Bread, Nutmeg, Lemon, Berry, Pear, Banana bread, Autumnal fruit, Corn, Cereal, Barley, Buttery, Honey, Citrusy, Amber, Toffee, Caramel, Citrus, Tropical fruit, Hazy, Smoothie-like, Malty-rich, Robust, Malty, Creamy, Tangy, Sweet, Spicy, Citrus, Hoppy, Malty, Bitter, Earthy, Malty, Hoppy, Malty, Roasty, Bitter, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, 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Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, 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Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty, Malty,

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Best beers to drink in spring

Spring is a time of renewal and a return to life, and the beers we drink during this season should reflect that. We're looking for beers that wake our taste buds and zap us out of hibernation. Here are some of the best beers to drink in spring:

Witbiers and Wheat Beers

These beers feature a malt bill with a good chunk of wheat. Often cloudy and characterised by a specific yeast strain, sometimes with additional ingredients such as coriander and orange peel, wheat beers are pleasantly sweet and highly quaffable, making them perfect for the temperate spring.

  • Allagash White by Allagash Brewing Company is often regarded as the pinnacle of Belgian witbiers. It has won numerous awards and is considered the brewery's flagship beer.
  • Oberon Ale by Bell's Brewery is an American wheat beer that signals the arrival of spring. It was inspired by Belgian saisons and has become a classic that celebrates the first signs of spring when released every year in March.
  • DreamWeaver Wheat by Tröegs is a hefeweizen inspired by a trip to Germany. It uses a blend of red and white wheat to balance the flavours and textures of its hefeweizen.
  • White by Alaskan Brewing Co. is a witbier based on Belgian-style witbiers but with a unique dose of Alaska's glacier-fed water, giving it an incredibly unique profile.
  • Namaste White by Dogfish Head is a witbier brewed with dried organic orange slices, fresh-cut lemongrass, peppercorns, and coriander, with all the trappings of the classic style plus a Rehoboth Beach twist.
  • Hefeweissbier by Weihenstephaner, the self-proclaimed oldest brewery in the world, is considered one of the best and most referential hefeweizens globally. It pours golden-yellow with a fine head of white foam, smells of cloves, and has a refreshing, full-bodied, yeasty banana flavour.

Bocks

Bocks are a vein of lagers dating back to the 14th century. They encapsulate several different beers, ranging from lighter and pale to darker and heartier. For spring, you'll want to opt for a maibock or helles bock, the lighter and paler cousins of traditional bocks.

  • Dead Guy Ale by Rogue Ales is a super popular helles bock/maibock that includes Munich malt for maltiness, a little Crystal 15 malt for colour, and 2-row malt for the base, complemented by Perle and Sterling hops.
  • Rockefeller Bock by Great Lake's Brewing Company is a traditional single/traditional bock and a classic American version of this classic German beer.
  • Maibock by Ayinger is a helles bock/maibock that celebrates the arrival of spring. It pours a lighter gold with a malty backbone tempered by a Noble floralness from the Hallertau hops.
  • Troegenator Doublebock by Tröegs is a doppelbock, a darker and maltier option if you're still feeling a wintry chill. It's thick and chewy with intense notes of caramel, chocolate, and dried stone fruit.
  • Hubertus Bock by Hacker-Pschorr is a German classic helles bock/maibock that pours a rustic yellow with aromas of semi-sweet malts, grainy and underlying noble hops.
  • Burkhart by Schilling is a single/traditional bock with a predominant malt profile, followed by a classic soft hop bitterness. It's a beautiful balance in a hearty beer best drunk in the dregs of fall.

Hazy IPAs

Hazy IPAs, also known as New England-style or juicy IPAs, have become one of the most popular beer styles. They are opaque, cloudy, and hoppy ales with a juicy, fruity, and smooth character.

  • Haze by Tree House Brewing Company is their flagship double IPA that represents the very best of what they do. It has a peach character with a fluffy mouthfeel.
  • Double Dry Hopped Melcher Street by Trillium is a New England/Hazy IPA that makes Mosaic the star. It's slightly spicy, piney, and resinous, with nuances of tart citrus, tangerine, clementine, and subtle green onion.
  • Life Is Foggier by Monkish is a top-rated hazy IPA that features Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Galaxy hops, along with a double dry hop.
  • Ghost in the Machine by Parish is a classic Double New England/Hazy IPA with an obscene amount of Citra hops. It's a killer expression of a hazy IPA.
  • All Citra Everything by Other Half is a highly-rated hazy IPA that is double dry-hopped with Citra lupulin powder for an uber-tasty experience.
  • Jasper by Fidens Brewing is a relatively new but highly coveted hazy IPA from a brewery that consistently and unapologetically brews creamy, expressive iterations of this style.

American Pale Ales

American Pale Ales are anything but "pale". They are critical to the history of craft beer in America, with higher bitterness and a focus on citrusy, piney Pacific

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Best beers to drink in summer

When the sun is shining, and the weather is warm, there's nothing better than a refreshing beer. Here are some of the best beers to drink during the summer months:

Oberon Ale

Citrusy with a hint of spice, Oberon Ale is a seasonal wheat beer from Bell's Brewery in Michigan. It's so popular that its release each spring is celebrated on Oberon Day, marking the unofficial start of summer for many beer lovers. With a history dating back over 30 years, Oberon Ale is a true classic and the perfect beer to welcome the warmer weather.

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

Perfect for drinking on the beach, this golden ale is brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops, giving it a fruity and juicy taste and aroma while remaining light and easy to drink. So if you're looking for a beer to enjoy by the seaside, Konasection-title> Kona Big Wave Golden Ale is an excellent choice.

Modelo Especial

When it comes to warm-weather classics, few beers can rival Modelo Especial. This iconic Mexican lager has stood the test of time and is a shining example of what makes Mexican lagers great. It's subtly toasty and caramel-forward, with a dry finish that keeps it crisp and refreshing. So if you're looking for the perfect beer to accompany your summer barbecues, Modelo Especial is an excellent choice.

Pilsner Urquell

With a history dating back to the 13th century, Pilsner Urquell is a legendary beer crafted in Plzen, Czech Republic. The soft water of the region gives this classic Czech pilsner a nice, round finish. First made in 1842, Pilsner Urquell is the best-known and most beloved iteration of the Czech pilsner style. So if you're looking for a bit of history in your summer drinking, Pilsner Urquell is an excellent choice.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

This beer helped put craft beer on the map in 1979 and is now a titan of the American beer scene. It's approachable enough for craft novices yet nuanced enough to have garnered cult status among brewers. With its piney, citrusy hop character, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale paved the way for America's love affair with the IPA. So if you're looking for a classic American pale ale to enjoy this summer, Sierra Nevada is an excellent choice.

Allagash White

This Belgian-style witbier from Allagash Brewing Company has won numerous awards and is considered the pinnacle of its style. With traditional ingredients like Curacao orange peel, coriander, and a secret spice, Allagash White offers a pleasant sweetness and uber-quaffability that make it perfect for summer drinking. So if you're looking for a Belgian-style witbier to enjoy this summer, Allagash White is an excellent choice.

Summer beers to suit all tastes

Whether you're a fan of lagers, IPAs, stouts, or something else, there's a summer beer out there for you. So don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect beer to accompany your summer adventures!

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Best beers to drink in fall

As the leaves turn orange and the air gets crisp, it's time to put away the light summer beers and reach for something a little darker and more comforting. From traditional Oktoberfest beers to innovative craft stouts, there's a beer for everyone to enjoy this fall. Here are some of the best beers to warm you up this season:

Oktoberfest Beers

Oktoberfest beers are a must-have for any beer lover during the fall season. This traditional German beer style is known for its rich maltiness, smooth finish, and amber hues. They are designed to be incredibly drinkable, making them the perfect choice for long days of celebration. Here are some popular Oktoberfest beers to try:

  • Ayinger Brewing: Oktober Fest-Marzen (5.8% ABV)
  • La Cumbre Brewing Company: Oktoberfest (5.4% ABV)
  • Great Lakes Brewing Company: Oktoberfest (6.5% ABV)
  • Founders Brewing Company: Ultimate Oktoberfest (10% ABV)

Pumpkin Beers

Pumpkin beers are a popular part of the fall season, and while not everyone is a fan, they can be a tasty treat for those who love their pumpkin spice. These beers often feature a blend of fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, creating a warm and comforting drink. Some pumpkin beers to try include:

  • Southern Tier Brewing Company: Pumking (8.6% ABV)
  • Elysian Brewing Company: The Great Pumpkin (8.1% ABV)
  • Cigar City Brewing: Good Gourd (8.8% ABV)
  • Saint Arnold Brewing Company: Pumpkinator (10% ABV)

Amber Ales

Amber ales, also known as red ales, are a type of pale ale that originated in the Pacific Northwest and California during the 1980s. They have a reddish color ranging from light copper to dark amber, and are brewed with specialty malts that give them a sweet flavor. Crystal malts are responsible for the amber color and caramel notes that this style is known for. Some amber ales to try:

  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: Flipside Red IPA (6.2% ABV)
  • 3 Floyds Brewing Company: Amber Smashed Face (7.8% ABV)
  • COAST Brewing Company: Carnie Fire (5% ABV)
  • Pipeworks Brewing Company: Blood Of The Unicorn (6.5% ABV)

Porters

Porters are top-fermented ales made with malted barley, giving them a dark brown color and a smooth, sweet flavor. They were first brewed in England in the 1700s and were named after the street porters who performed a variety of working-class jobs. Porters are more filling than other ales and were a good source of calories for the hard-working men and women. Some popular porters to try:

  • Funky Buddha Brewery: Maple Bacon Coffee Porter (6.4% ABV)
  • Anchor Brewing Company: Anchor Porter (5.6% ABV)
  • Kane Brewing Company: Sunday Brunch (9.2% ABV)
  • Deschutes Brewery: Black Butte Porter (5.2% ABV)

Stouts

Stouts are another popular dark beer that has evolved from the porter style. They tend to have a more pronounced coffee flavor and a fuller body than porters. One key characteristic that differentiates stouts is the use of roasted, unmalted barley, which gives them a darker, smokier flavor profile. Some popular stouts to try:

  • High Water Brewing: Campfire Stout (6.5% ABV)
  • Dogfish Head: Wake Up World Wide Stout (18% ABV)
  • Goose Island Beer Company: Bourbon County Brand Stout (14.3% ABV)
  • Lawson's Finest Liquids: Fayston Maple Imperial Stout (10.1% ABV)

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Best beers to drink in winter

As the cold weather sets in, it's time to swap the light and refreshing summer beers for something a little more comforting. Winter beers tend to be dark and complex, with malty richness, fuller bodies, and flavours of roastiness.

Stouts

Stouts are dark, bitter, and roasty-flavoured beers that will leave you with a warm and creamy fullness—perfect for cold winter nights. They have a black appearance and taste like coffee, licorice, and chocolate. Imperial stouts are a great winter option, as they often have a higher alcohol content and can be flavoured with pretty much anything, from chocolate to pastry and seasonal spices.

Some stouts to try:

  • Guinness Draught Stout
  • Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout
  • Great Lakes Brewing Company: Blackout Stout
  • New Holland Brewing Company: Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout

Porters

Porters are deep brown or reddish beers with a creamy head. They have a roasty chocolate flavour and are slightly bitter, with notes of chocolate and coffee. They are one of the heaviest beer styles and are best enjoyed in the colder months. Baltic porters are another great option, with their smoky, roasted, malty character and full-bodied mouthfeel.

Some porters to try:

  • Deschutes Brewery: Black Butte Porter
  • Bent River Brewing Company: Jingle Java Holiday Stout
  • Great Lakes Brewing Company: Christmas Ale

Scotch Ales

Scotch ales, or wee heavies, are top-fermenting brews that were originally served in small quantities in nineteenth-century Scotland. They are boiled extensively, creating toasty, caramelised, sweet, and full-bodied flavours. They often have a higher alcohol content, making them perfect for cold winter days.

Some scotch ales to try:

  • Founders Brewing Company: Dirty Bastard
  • Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company: Mountain Man Strong Ale
  • Oskar Blues Grill & Brew: Old Chub

Barleywines

Barleywines are strong ales with high alcohol content, a bittersweet taste, and a rich mouthfeel. Despite the name, they don't contain any wine. English varieties tend to offer a more balanced combination of malt and hops, while American-style barleywines are intensely hopped for a more bitter taste.

Some barleywines to try:

  • Sierra Nevada: Bigfoot Barleywine
  • Revolution Brewing: Straight Jacket
  • Firestone Walker Brewing Company: Sucaba

Doppelbocks

Doppelbocks are a type of German-style lager called bock beer with even more malt and a fuller body. They were originally brewed by monks for nourishment during fasting periods. Doppelbocks have a malty flavour and are best enjoyed with red meat, pork, and sharp cheeses.

Some doppelbocks to try:

  • Augustiner-Brau: Maximator
  • Bell's Brewery: Consecrator
  • Troegs Brewing Company: Troegenator

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Best beers to drink on a budget

There's nothing wrong with wanting to save a few bucks when you're stocking up on beer. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty, affordable beers to choose from. Here are some of the best cheap beers to drink:

Best Overall: Hamm's

This Midwestern lager has a crisp flavour, light body, and malty complexity. It often comes out on top in blind taste tests, beating its macro lager competitors.

Best Light: Yuengling Light Lager

A cult favourite on the East Coast, Yuengling is a bready beer with a slight hop bitterness. Their light lager follows this tradition, offering a full-flavoured, yet light beer.

Best Craft: Night Shift Nite Lite

Night Shift has made a dent in the macro beer market with this crisp and crushable beer. It's loaded with malt, hops, and fruit flavour, so you don't have to sacrifice flavour for drinkability.

Best American: Coors Banquet

Also known as the "Champagne of Beers", Coors Banquet is a dive bar favourite with lively carbonation and slight sweetness. It's a solid, affordable choice that's widely available.

Best Canadian: Labatt Blue Light

Labatt Blue Light is an easy-drinking, unoffensive beer that's served super cold and great for any occasion.

Best Mexican: Tecate Original Mexican Lager

Tecate is a versatile brew that can be enjoyed alone or with a lime wedge. It's a refreshing drinking experience with a whisper of bitter hops and a crisp, clean finish.

Best Lager: Narragansett Lager

Narragansett lager has a rich history, dating back to the 1930s. It's a smooth beer with a strong malt backbone and a clean finish.

Best Pilsner: Wiseacre Tiny Bomb Pilsner

This pilsner is an intriguing brew with a soft body and a touch of sweetness, complemented by undertones of grass and flowers. It's the perfect beer for lounging in the grass on a sunny day.

Best Wheat: Hoegaarden White

Hoegaarden White is the quintessential wheat beer experience. It's a cloudy brew with coriander and orange peel, loaded with banana-like esters. It originated in the Belgian village of Hoegaarden in 1445 and is still made there today.

Best IPA: Goose Island IPA

Goose Island IPA is one of the most widely available IPAs on the market. It's a middle-of-the-road IPA with a balance of piney and citrusy hops. It's not too bitter or too fruity, making it a great choice for IPA lovers.

Best Pale Ale: Dale's Pale Ale

Dubbed "The Original Craft Beer in a Can", Dale's Pale Ale took the canned beer market by storm when it was released in 2002. It's a rich, citrusy, and floral pale ale that's a popular, affordable choice.

Best Stout: Guinness Draught

Guinness Draught is a taste of Ireland in a can. This quintessential stout has been brewed the same way since 1959 and became mobile in the 1980s. Each can contains a widget that releases nitrogen bubbles, giving it a velvety texture to complement its roasty flavour.

So, there you have it! A selection of delicious beers that won't break the bank. Now you can enjoy a cold one (or several) without worrying about your wallet. Cheers!

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