Buy Craft Beer May 2026

: Only buy craft beer that has been continuously refrigerated . Heat is the primary enemy of beer stability and flavor integrity.

: This is the most critical indicator of quality before opening.

: Measures color from 2 (pale straw) to 40+ (black). Darker colors often correlate with roasty, chocolate, or coffee flavors. Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report buy craft beer

Before purchasing, use these technical and visual cues to ensure you are getting a high-quality product:

(IPAs, Pale Ales) should be consumed as fresh as possible, ideally within weeks of canning. : Only buy craft beer that has been

: Standard craft beers usually range from 4–8%. Higher ABV beers (10%+) are typically richer, more complex, and intended for slow sipping.

are more stable but still best within a few months. : Measures color from 2 (pale straw) to 40+ (black)

: Measures bitterness from hops on a scale typically from 0 to 100. Low (10–25) : Wheat beers, light lagers. Moderate (25–45) : Pale ales, porters. High (60+) : IPAs and Double IPAs.