Asheville, NC’s beer dictionary + local recommendations

Today is International Beer Day + we’ve put together a beer dictionary to tell you about all of the beer types, where you can find them locally, and what food pairings work best with your beer.

Amber + Red Ale | Red and amber ales will typically taste like caramel, dried fruit, or coffee — more sour than sweet. Pair with a hearty slow cooker meat.
Local rec: Fat Tire Amber Ale at

New Belgium Brewing

Amber + Red Lager | These lagers can taste light + crisp but also contain aromas you’d find in darker beers – like caramel or toffee. Pair with tacos.
Local rec: Mexican Amber Lager at

Catawba Brewing Company

Belgian Style Beer | Belgian beers come in pale ales, dark ales, fruity beers, and sour ales. Belgian-style beers have a high alcohol content + low bitterness. Pair with cheese and potato dishes.
Local rec: Trippel at

New Belgium Brewing

Brown Ale | An English-style ale that is especially sweet + nutty tasting. Pair with pecan pie.
Local rec: Bed of Nails Brown Ale at

Hi-Wire Brewing

Cream Ale | Light in flavor, pale in color, and not too bitter for a newbie beer drinker. Pair with grilled chicken.
Local rec: It Was All a Cream Ale at

One World Brewing

Dark Lager | You can expect rich aromas like coffee, chocolate, molasses, and even pumpernickel bread. Pair with smoked fish.
Local rec: Black Lager at Burial Beer Co.

Fruit Beer | Many fruits find their way into beer recipes — some popular ones are lime, strawberry, and cherry. Most fruit beers are sweet tasting + pair perfectly with dessert.
Local rec: Watermelon Dragon Fruit Burst at Wicked Weed Brewing

Hefeweizen | Time for a German lesson — hefeweizen is the German word for pale wheat beer. They’re made by adding wheat to the mix to give the beer a foamy head + a silky texture. They have a distinct sweetness and sometimes give off a bubble gum or banana smell. Pair with cedar-smoked salmon or a watermelon + tomato salad.
Local rec: Hefeweizen at

Hillman Beer

India Pale Ale (IPA) | These beers can be bitter + have high alcohol levels. They can range from citrus flavors to stronger, more bitter flavors — depending on the hops used. These are usually the intro beer for new beer drinkers. Pair with fish + chips.
Local rec: Iron Rail IPA at Wedge Brewing Company

Pale Ale | Pale ales are usually hoppy but carry a lower alcohol content than IPAs. Most types of pale ale are malty, medium-bodied, and easy to drink.
Local rec: Prophetmaker at Burial Beer

Pale Lager | A crisp, light-bodied + moderately hoppy beer. Pair with a classic margherita pizza.
Local rec: Green Man American Lager at Green Man Brewery

Pilsner | A light + crisp lager from 19th century Europe that is hoppy and a pale gold color. Pair with calamari or schnitzel.
Local rec: Highland Pilsner at Highland Brewing Company

Radler | A radler is a hybrid — part beer, part citrus juice. The word radler means “cyclist” in German + legend has it radlers were invented to quench the thirst of cyclists. Pair with grilled fruit or pulled pork.
Local rec: Main Squeeze Lemon Radler at

Catawba Brewing Company

Stouts + Porters | These beers have a deep, roasted flavor and are often described as tasting like chocolate or coffee. Oatmeal stouts and porters are a subtype that include a small amount of oatmeal to give it a thicker body.
Local rec: Unruly Mystic at Archetype Brewing

Wild + Sour Ales | Wild or sour ales are typically very low in alcohol, and feature tart, sour flavors that come from (safe) bacteria in the brew mash. Pair with salty meats, stinky cheeses, and lemony seafood dishes.
Local rec: The Good Fight at Bhramari Brewing Company