Craft beer is a diverse and rapidly maturing market, with over 9,700 operating breweries in the U.S. as of 2022. This report provides a structured approach to buying craft beer, whether you are visiting a local taproom or shopping at a retail store.
: 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. buy craft beer
Before purchasing, use these technical and visual cues to ensure you are getting a high-quality product: Craft beer is a diverse and rapidly maturing
Understanding common industry acronyms will help you predict the flavor profile of a beer: : Measures bitterness from hops on a scale
: 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.