There is very little that beats a cold refreshing beer in the summertime. If you’re just getting into the vast world of beer it can be tough deciding your go-to brew. With so many different breweries, new editions are constantly coming out and it can be hard to keep up. In this blog post, Cupture lays out the basics of beer, how to pick a good beer for your unique tastes, and even a few suggestions of which beers you should try next.

Beer Basics

Ale vs. Lager (dark vs. light)

There are two main types of beer; Ale and Lager. Lagers are lighter beers while ales are darker. What does this mean? The lagers lighter complexion means it most likely to be a brighter or lighter beer. Ales on the other hand are darker and have more complex flavors.

There are several differences in the brewing process that distinguish the unique flavors of these two beer styles. These differences include:

> Yeast
Ales are brewed with “top-fermenting” yeast and lagers contrastingly are brewed with “low-fermenting” yeast. Depending on the strain of the “top-fermenting” yeast, it can produce chemicals that affect the flavor of the beer.

>Temperature and Time
Ales tend to brew at warmer temperatures and for this reason they ferment faster. Lagers on the other hand are generally brewed at colder temperatures. This technique originated in Continental Europe where cooler temperatures were normal brewing conditions.

> Additional Custom Ingredients.
Also known as adjuncts, ales tend to be more diverse than lagers. Due to the fermentation process, it is easier to experiment with ales than it is to with lagers. Ales also have a more robust flavor compared to lagers because their recipes require a higher amount of hops and malt which make it more malty or bitter.

Main Ingredients
Yeast, Barely, Hops, and Water.

What makes a good beer?

Appearance
Performing a simple test will be able to give you insight into the quality of the beer. Swish the beer around in your beer tumbler. If the head (the foamy stuff at the top) leaves a rim on the glass that usually means you’ve made a good selection. 

Aroma
This is very important in choosing your next favorite beer. Beer not only has a multitude of great flavors; it also has a myriad of bold smells. These aromas enhance the drinking experience and round out the body of the beer.

Taste
This is an important one. You’ll want to not only find a flavor that you love but also one that you won’t get sick of. For example, if you love pumpkin there are a number of delicious ales you can consume but if you drink it regularly, by the time pumpkin season comes around you’ll be burned out. Whether it’s a lager or an ale choose a versatile flavor palate. A beer that tastes great with all kinds of food and is nice in any weather.

How to choose your favorite?

Establishing your flavor pallet

How much money do you want to spend?

Once you’ve found the perfect beer do yourself a favor and enjoy it in the perfect tumbler especially designed for that very reason. Our double insulated beer tumbler will keep your special brew colder for longer. The no leak lid will save from any unfortunate spills so you can savor every last drop.