Best Beer Choices For Right Now

With the ongoing rise of craft beer, it's a great time to be a beer drinker. Whether you're looking for something light and refreshing or dark and robust, there's a beer out there for you. From IPAs to stouts, pilsners to porters, the world of beer is diverse and exciting. So, what beer should you drink now? Well, that depends on your taste preferences, but here are some popular options to get you started.

Best beers for summer

When the sun is shining, it's time to crack open a beer. But which one?

Lagers

Lagers are the classic choice for summer drinking. Light, low-ABV lagers are particularly good when the weather is warm. Mexican lagers are a great choice for summer, and few have stood the test of time like Modelo Especial. Another good option is Oskar Blues Dale’s American Light Lager, a pilsner as light as a dream, with champagne-like bubbles and a crisp texture.

Ales

Ales can also be refreshing in the summer months. The seasonal Oberon Ale from Bell's Brewery is a popular choice. It's a refreshing wheat ale with a hint of spice and a citrusy flavour. It's so popular that when it's rolled out each spring on Oberon Day, breweries, bars, and shops that stock the beer celebrate with events and parties.

If you're looking for something a little stronger, Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale is a great choice. It strikes the perfect balance between hoppy bite and malty sweetness.

IPAs

IPAs can be a little heavy, but there are some great options for summer drinking. Founders All Day IPA is designed to keep you going through your summer activities – it has a low ABV of 4.7% and maintains a clean finish that's not too hoppy. Lagunitas DayTime IPA is another great choice – it's light on carbs and has a low ABV of 4%, making it the ideal fresh summer beer.

Sours

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale is a mix of Gose, Kölsch, and Berliner Weiss beers, with a touch of lime juice and sea salt, which makes for a crisp and tart libation. It's a refreshing choice for summer.

Best beers for winter

As the weather gets colder, it's the perfect time to curl up with a hearty beer. Here are some of the best beers to warm you up this winter:

Stouts

Stouts are a popular choice for the colder months, with their rich, dark flavours. Some favourites include:

• Left Hand Milk Stout
• Guinness
• Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Gingerbread Stout
• Founders Dirty Bastard
• Troegs Independent Brewing Mad Elf
• Rusty Rail Luminous
• Pothole City Rocky Road Stout

Porters

Porters are another style that lends itself to winter drinking, with their robust flavours and higher alcohol content. Try:

• Maui Brewing Coconut Hiwa Porter
• Deschutes Black Butte Porter
• Anchor Christmas Ale

Winter Warmers

For something a little different, try a winter warmer. These beers are usually packed with festive spices and have a higher alcohol content to keep you warm. Some options include:

• Deschutes Brewery Jubelale
• Allagash Brewing Company Snow Report
• Brasserie De l'Abbaye Du Val-Dieu Winter Ale
• Bell's Brewery Christmas Ale

IPAs

If you're looking for something a little hoppier, there are plenty of IPAs that are perfect for winter. Check out:

• Sierra Nevada Celebration
• Cigar City Jai Alai
• Bell's Two Hearted Ale
• Half Acre Daisy Cutter Pale Ale

So, whether you're craving a rich stout, a spicy winter warmer, or a hoppy IPA, there's a beer out there to suit your winter drinking needs. Cheers!

Best beers for food pairings

Beer is a versatile drink that pairs well with a variety of dishes, from spicy foods to desserts. Here are some of the best beers for food pairings:

Wheat Beers

Wheat beers are versatile and can be paired with various dishes. They go well with spicy food, such as buffalo wings, and fruity desserts. Wheat beers have a smooth texture and light carbonation, often with added citrus or fruity flavours. They complement the lighter elements of dishes like seared scallops or garlic shrimp, while also adding a refreshing contrast. Wheat beers are ideal for spicy cuisines like Thai, Mexican, and Peruvian dishes.

India Pale Ales (IPAs)

IPAs are one of the most popular craft beers and typically have a bitter flavour. They pair well with steak, barbecue, and Mexican food. The bitterness of IPAs can be more palatable when brewers add citrus or herbal tones. IPAs also work well with fatty foods like French fries, as the bitterness helps balance the richness.

Amber Ales

Amber ales have a medium mouthfeel and a colour range from amber to deep reddish-gold. They exhibit strong malt flavours with notes of sweet caramel. Amber ales are excellent for cleansing the palate, making them a good choice for barbecue pulled pork. They also pair well with pizza, fried food, and smoked pork.

Dark Lagers

Dark lagers, popular in Europe, are an excellent complement to hearty traditional dishes. They are made with roasted malts and often have caramel syrup added, giving them a nutty flavour. Dark lagers pair well with pizza, burgers, and hearty stews.

Stouts

Stouts are known for their black colour and roasted flavour, similar to porters. They typically have hints of chocolate and coffee, with a silky smooth consistency. Stouts are perfect for pairing with desserts, especially those with chocolate. They also go well with shellfish and Mexican food.

Blonde Ales

Blonde ales, such as the Peace Tree Blonde Fatale, have a smooth malty sweetness and balanced bitterness. They pair perfectly with sweet, hot, or spicy foods, including Asian dishes, chilli, and mango or jalapeño salsa. Blonde ales are refreshing and complement dishes with citrus flavours.

Best beers by country

There are many great beers to choose from all over the world. Here is a list of some of the best beers by country:

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is known for its beer, with the highest consumption per capita globally. The country is home to famous breweries such as Pilsner Urquell and Budvar, as well as a booming microbrewing industry. Czech beers are known for their variety, including IPAs, stouts, and blonde beers.

Austria

Austrian brewers were never restricted by the German purity law, resulting in a diverse range of beers. Stiegl is the most popular large beer brand, while Ottakringer dominates the Vienna market. Edelweiss, a fruity wheat beer, is also worth trying.

Germany

Germany is renowned for its historic brewing traditions and the Reinheitsgebot, or purity law, which restricts ingredients to water, hops, and barley. The country produces high-quality beers, including the world-famous Beck's. German beers are known for their light Pilsners, as well as stronger options like Bock and Doppelbock.

Belgium

Belgium boasts a rich diversity of original beer styles and a deep-rooted heritage of traditional beer production. The country is home to six of the twelve Trappist monasteries in the world, which produce unique beers. Well-known exports include Hoegaarden and Stella Artois, while stronger dubbel and tripel-style beers are popular domestic styles.

United States

The US offers a wide range of beers, from cheap summer brews to hop-forward IPAs. Some notable mentions include Miller High Life, an adjunct domestic lager, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, a staple in the craft beer scene.

United Kingdom

The UK has a strong tradition of real ale, with around 70% of pubs now serving this style. The country also has a growing microbrewery industry, making it a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts.

Best beers by type

Beer is a diverse and versatile drink, with a wide range of styles and flavours to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best beers by type:

Best American Wheat Ale

Bell's Oberon American Wheat Ale is a popular choice, known for its fruity aromas and subtle spice from the hops. It has a dedicated following, with breweries and bars celebrating its annual release each spring.

Best Classic American Beer

Miller High Life American Lager Beer is a classic choice, with a history dating back to 1903. Its clean and simple flavour makes it a favourite among craft beer and cocktail enthusiasts alike, and its "Champagne of Beers" identity adds to its charm.

Best Traditional German Beer

Weihenstaphaner Hefe Weissbier is a traditional German wheat beer with notes of banana and clove. It is produced by one of the world's oldest breweries, the Weihenstephan Abbey Brewery, which was founded in 1040.

Best Classic Pale Ale

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a well-known and much-loved classic. With its piney, citrusy hop character, it has helped pave the way for America's love of IPAs while remaining a staple in its own right.

Best Belgian-Style Beer

Victory Golden Monkey is a Belgian-style tripel, usually fruity and spicy, with notes of banana, clove, orange and earthy hops. With an ABV of 7.5-9.5%, it packs a punch and is a favourite among beer enthusiasts.

Best New England IPA

Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA is a great choice, offering the best of both worlds. While it is often classified as a New England IPA due to its tropical characteristics, it also has the floral hop quality and bitter punch of a West Coast IPA.

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