Craft beer has surged in popularity, with small, independent breweries producing a wide range of unique flavors and styles. When visiting a local liquor store, you might discover an extensive selection of craft beers to explore. Familiarizing yourself with the various types of craft brews can help you identify new favorites to stock up on for your next visit. Here are some types of craft beers you may find in a liquor store open near you:
India Pale Ales
India Pale Ales (IPAs) feature a higher hop content than standard pale ales, resulting in bold, bitter taste profiles and robust floral or citrus aromas. The increased hop levels help preserve the beer during shipping. West Coast IPAs emphasize hoppy flavors with an extra dose of hops, while East Coast IPAs focus on a more balanced malt character. For a smoother, easy-drinking option, session IPAs offer lower alcohol content but still deliver a significant hoppy flavor.
Sours
Sour beers provide an exciting option for adventurous craft beer enthusiasts. These beers feature a tart flavor from lactic acid added during fermentation, offering a sharp taste often balanced by fruity notes. Belgian Flanders red ales develop their fruity tartness through aging in oak barrels. Gose-style sours incorporate coriander and salt, adding a hint of spice. Berliner Weisses are known for their refreshing citrus notes.
Porters and Stouts
Porters and stouts appeal to craft beer enthusiasts who favor darker, richer brews. Porters are known for roasted malt flavors, such as coffee or chocolate. Originally from England, modern American porters often have more roasted malts and higher alcohol content. Stouts, similar to porters, use roasted malts but include unmalted barley, adding complexity. Dry Irish stouts offer a smooth flavor, while silky sweet milk stouts pair well with dessert. For a bolder experience, try coffee stouts with a pronounced coffee taste.
Wheat Beers
Wheat beers use a higher proportion of wheat rather than barley in their recipe, resulting in a lighter, brighter taste compared to traditional malted barley brews. German-style hefeweizens are known for their hazy appearance due to the yeast used in these unfiltered beers. Witbiers, such as Blue Moon, blend wheat with coriander and orange peel for added flavor. Other wheat beers you might find include Belgian wits, American wheat ales, and citrusy Berliner Weisse, available at a liquor store open near you.
Brown Ales
Brown ales highlight a rich maltiness using roasted malts, which give them a dark amber color and nutty, toasted flavors. English brown ales, such as Newcastle Brown Ale, often have biscuity, tea-like notes. American brown ales from craft breweries are known for their pronounced caramel and chocolate malt flavors. For a more robust option, try the Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, an imperial brown ale with bold piney hops.
Visit a Liquor Store Open Near You Today
With the wide selection of craft beers available, a visit to the liquor store can turn into an exciting flavor exploration. Discover your preferences among crisp wheats, roasty stouts, fruity sours, or intensely hoppy IPAs. Local liquor stores feature regional craft breweries that offer diverse styles and innovative flavors. Find a craft beer that suits your taste at a store near you today.
