Now that you’ve got a primer on the movement in general, try tracking your progress as you enter the world of ales, dubbels, quadrupels, goses, DIPAs, and other glorious styles. The gurus over at craftbeer.com have an extensive database on style, along with a huge amount of info for the newbie craft beer drinker, as do the wizards at beeradvocate.com and the geniuses at ratebeer.com. The latter two also have fantastic apps for checking on something that might pique your interest at the local watering hole, as well as rating beers (and charting your eventual growth into a cicerone—a beer sommelier). But if you want the full experience, grab a copy of The World Guide to Beer, the seminal guide to world beer style from the late Michael Jackson, the world’s greatest alcohol writer.
But, hey, you want to try some excellent craft beer this spring? Excellent. Here’s some spring picks for the transitioning drinker.
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- If you like: Budweiser
- Try: Hofbrau Maibock
While a little heavier on the alcohol (ABV 7.2%), Hofbrau Maibock retains that delicious breadiness of Bud but ups the ante on the flavor. It’s also got a beautiful golden color that’s as easy on the eyes as a Bavarian afternoon.
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- If you like: Rolling Rock
- Try: Founders All Day IPA
This is one of those sessionable beers (hanging around 4.5-5% ABV) that still has the pleasurable bitterness of a higher ABV IPA. It’s great for a full-flavored pale ale fan that wants something to enjoy to the last sip. It also comes in some of the handsomest cans around.
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- If you like: Modelo
- Try: Bell’s Smitten Golden Rye
One of the most prized seasonal beers around, Bell’s Smitten pairs a dry malt character (powered by the liberal use of rye in the brewing process) with a light hop character for an easy drinking beer that can accompany any meal—or stand by itself.
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- If you like: Coors Light
- Try: Victory Prima Pils
Though the Pilsner style is usually a summer favorite, it doesn’t hurt to anticipate the beach days ahead. Light in alcohol with a bitter hop-profile, Prima Pils is the perfect step up from light beers. It also has a formidable bar presence on the East Coast.
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- If you like: Something a little bit interesting
- Try: Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter
Sierra Nevada has been famous for decades for the remarkably succulent use of hops in their Pale Ale, but this beer is something entirely different. Hop harvesting almost always takes place during the autumn in the northern hemisphere, but Sierra Nevada has developed a way to preserve hop oil throughout the year, giving this particular beer a characteristic freshness year-round. It’s a wonder.
