Explore Craft Beers Beyond The Ipas

IPAs are an acquired taste. They are the best-selling craft beer in the US, but not everyone enjoys the intense bitterness of the hops. If you are not a fan of IPAs, there are plenty of other options to explore. You could try a malty beer, such as an Irish Red Ale, a German Bock, or a Belgian Ale. Wheat beers, fruit beers, and English or German beers with more subtle hop flavours are also great alternatives. If you are determined to like IPAs, you could try easing yourself in with a hoppy pilsner or a pale ale.

Try a malty beer instead

If you're not a fan of IPAs, you might prefer a malty beer style. Malt is often the main ingredient in beers, but it can be overshadowed by the bitterness of hops. So, if you're looking for something different, why not try a malt bomb? These beers feature malt as the star of the show, offering a range of flavours from caramel to toast. Here are some specific malty beers you could try:

Irish Red Ale

This style of beer is known for its rich, caramelly flavour. It's a great option if you're looking for something sweet and smooth.

German Bock

German Bocks are known for their bready, toasty flavour. They're perfect if you're looking for something a little more savoury and complex.

Belgian Ale

Belgian ales offer a level of complexity that can be lacking in IPAs, thanks to the use of Belgian ale yeast. If you're a fan of dry, complex white wines, a Hennepin Clone or an Abbey Single could be a great choice. For something even richer and fruitier, try a Rochefort 8 clone, considered one of the best beers in the world.

Wheat Beer

While not technically a malty beer style, wheat beers have a similar effect. Wheat gives beer a sweet, bready flavour and a smooth mouthfeel. Paulaner Hefeweizen is a classic German wheat beer, or you could try an American wheat beer or a Blue Moon clone for something more citrusy.

So, if you're looking for a change from IPAs, why not give one of these malty beer styles a try? You might just find your new favourite drink!

Sample a wheat beer

If you don't like IPAs, there are plenty of other beers to try, including wheat beers. Wheat beers are a great option for those who want to explore new flavours without the intense bitterness associated with IPAs. Wheat beers offer a refreshing change of pace with their unique characteristics.

Wheat beers have a long history, dating back to the beginnings of agriculture. They were particularly popular in Germany and Belgium around 1500. However, due to anti-German sentiment after World War I and the onset of Prohibition, wheat beers fell out of favour in the United States during the 1800s. It wasn't until the 1980s that wheat beers made a comeback in America, with Anchor Brewing Company leading the way.

American Wheat Beer is a modern take on the classic German Weissbier. It has a cleaner yeast profile, allowing for a more pronounced hop flavour. The neutral ale yeast used in American Wheat Beer doesn't impart the clove or banana flavours commonly found in European Wheat Beers. Instead, you'll find a pleasant balance of doughy malt and fruity hop character, with subtle citrus notes that can be enhanced by adding a lemon wedge. The body is typically medium-light to medium, with a soft and creamy mouthfeel.

When it comes to brewing your own American Wheat Beer, wheat malt will make up a large majority of the grist, ranging from 25% to 70% of the grain bill. The remaining grist will consist of a quality 2-Row or pale malt, with a smaller portion of specialty malts such as caramel malt, cara-wheat, dextrin malt, Munich, or honey malt. Rice hulls can be added to avoid stuck sparges or mashes when using wheat malt, which lacks a husk.

The bitterness level of an American Wheat Beer is typically higher than its German counterpart but still modest, falling between 15-30 IBUs. Popular American hops used in this style include Cascade, Amarillo, Willamette, Liberty, and Mt. Hood. However, due to its German lineage, German hops such as Tettnanger, Hallertauer Mittlelfrüh, Perle, and Spalt are also a great choice.

So, if you're looking to branch out from IPAs, wheat beers offer a delightful alternative with their crisp, doughy, and fruity flavours. Whether you're a homebrewer or a beer enthusiast, wheat beers provide a refreshing and approachable option that showcases the versatility of the brewing craft.

Opt for a fruit beer

If you're not a fan of IPAs, there are plenty of other beer options to explore, including fruit beers. Fruit beers are a great alternative for those who find the bitterness of IPAs off-putting. Fruit beers offer a range of flavours and can be just as complex and satisfying as any other style of beer.

Fruit beers are typically made with the addition of fresh fruit, puréed fruit, fruit juice, or fruit concentrate to the brewing process. This gives the beer a distinct fruity flavour and aroma that can vary from subtle to intense, depending on the type of fruit used and the amount added. Some common fruits used in beer include citrus fruits like grapefruit and blood orange, as well as tropical fruits like mango, passionfruit, and pineapple.

When choosing a fruit beer, you'll find a wide range of options available. Many craft breweries experiment with different fruits and combinations, creating unique and innovative flavours. You can find fruit beers that are light and refreshing, such as those with citrus notes, or something sweeter and more indulgent, like a beer with strong berry or tropical fruit flavours.

Fruit beers also vary in terms of their bitterness. While some fruit beers may still have a noticeable bitterness from hops, others downplay this aspect to let the fruit shine through. If you're looking for a beer with minimal bitterness, look for those that emphasize the fruit flavours and have less emphasis on hops.

Fruit beers can be a great way to explore the diverse world of beer without being overwhelmed by intense hop flavours. They offer a balance of sweetness and tartness from the fruit, often coupled with a crisp, refreshing finish. So, if you're looking for something beyond IPAs, consider giving fruit beers a try and exploring the myriad options available within this style.

Choose a low-calorie option

If you're looking for a beer that's not an IPA and won't add too many calories to your diet, there are plenty of options to choose from.

When low-calorie beers first hit the market, they were often dismissed as watery and tasteless. But with so many competitive options now available, low-calorie beers have had to step up their game.

• Hop 99 by Abita
• Lagunitas Daytime
• Oskar Blues One-y
• Goose Island So Lo
• Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
• Blue Moon Light Sky
• Shiner Light Blonde
• EvilTwin Bikini Beer
• Saint Archer Gold
• Yuengling Light Lager
• Milwaukee's Best Light
• Molson Canadian 67
• Miller Lite
• Budweiser Select
• Corona Light
• Coors Light
• Amstel Light
• Heineken Light
• Brava Light
• Guinness Extra
• Glutenberg Blonde
• Green's IPA

Remember, the fewer calories a beer has, the lower its alcohol content is likely to be. So, if you're looking for a beer that's both low in calories and high in alcohol, you may need to compromise.

Go for a non-alcoholic beer

If you don't like IPAs, there are plenty of other beers to choose from, including non-alcoholic beers. Non-alcoholic beers have grown in popularity, and today there are many options available that taste just like their alcoholic counterparts.

Non-alcoholic IPAs, for example, have become increasingly popular, and several brands now offer excellent options. These beers are perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavour of beer without the alcohol content. Here are some non-alcoholic beers to try if you don't like IPAs:

Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA

This IPA from Athletic Brewing Co. is one of the most popular non-alcoholic beers in America. It has a balanced hop and malt profile with a mild bitterness that makes it approachable for those who usually prefer lagers.

Untitled Art Juicy IPA

Untitled Art is known for its unique can designs and collaborations with independent artists. Their Juicy IPA is made by brewing a full-strength IPA with citra and mosaic hops and then removing the alcohol, leaving the classic IPA flavours intact.

Best Day Hazy IPA

This hazy IPA from Best Day Brewing has a retro-inspired can and only 53 calories. It has a rich, smooth, and fruity character that is typical of the hazy IPA style. It's also easily accessible, as it can be found in many local grocery stores.

Kit Brewing Get Set IPA

Kit Brewing is the first fully non-alcoholic brewery in Maine, and their Get Set IPA is a great option for those seeking a vegan and gluten-free beer. It has a pleasant aroma of lemon honey and just the right amount of hop bite to balance and finish clean.

Samuel Adams Non-Alcoholic Just The Haze

This non-alcoholic hazy IPA from Samuel Adams features four hop varieties and has all the crucial IPA characteristics. It has a mouthfeel similar to that of an alcoholic hazy IPA, making it a great choice for those looking for a familiar experience.

Momentum Hazy IPA

This hazy IPA from Momentum Brewery has a juicy, tropical flavour that is typical of session hazy IPAs. It is featured at Rolo's in Queens, New York, and is a great local option for those seeking a non-alcoholic beer with a full-strength flavour profile.

In addition to these options, many other non-alcoholic beers are available, including non-IPA styles. So, if you're looking to avoid alcohol, you can still enjoy a delicious and satisfying beer experience.

Frequently asked questions