Here, we look at the best craft beers to try if you’re new to the world of hops and higher ABVs. Whether you’re a wine, lager or bitter drinker at the moment, there’s a pale ale, ‘saison’ or stout out there for you, just waiting to become your new favourite tipple.


Best Craft Beers For Lager Lovers

India Pale Ales (IPA’s) are the most readily available and brewed style of craft beer, and a great introduction to ‘craft’ as a whole for anyone new to it - especially lager drinkers. These beers deliver more hops and often come in at a higher ABV than Pale Ales, so could perhaps be too bold a flavour for drinkers that are used to lower volume, mainstream lagers. But for drinkers who are used to more Premium and World lagers,  the transition into IPAs much will come more naturally.

While IPA is typically a strong Pale Ale with moderate to high bitterness, enjoyed by most who are new to craft beer, New England IPA (NEIPA) is a cloudy, hoppy beer with low bitterness , lots of tropical fruit aroma, balanced with a full body - ideal for anyone exploring craft but who wants to experience something quirky from the word go. 

4 IPA Craft Beers For Beginners To Try


Shipyard IPA

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Shipyard American Ipa Golden Ale

Brewer’s notes:
Combining the finest malted barley with a whole bunch of audacious American hops. This refreshing and gutsy American IPA is crisp, refreshing and explodes with a grapefruity citrus flavour.

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Brewdog IPA

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Brewdog Punk IPA

Brewer’s notes:
This light, golden classic has been subverted with new world hops to create a devastating explosion of flavour. Steel yourself for Kalashnikov bursts of caramel, incendiary tropical fruit and an all-out riot of grapefruit, pineapple and lychee, before a spiky bitter finish.

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BAD Co. IPA

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BAD Co. Wild Gravity IPA

Brewer’s notes:
Aggressively hopped, robust IPA. The rich and malty baseline of this craft beer is refreshingly balanced with a bold punch of tropical fruit notes.

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Morrisons IPA

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Morrisons The Best IPA

Customer review:

This is an excellent IPA. Real depth of flavour...a beer for people who like beer and not people who follow "trends". Well done Morrisons and Marstons.

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Best Craft Beers For Bitter Drinkers

If you drink bitter, maybe consider moving on up to an American Brown Ale. These beers still have a big malt-led flavour profile but also add a balancing hit of hops to the equation. These beers are deep, resonant and with a warming aftertaste of earthy, spiciness.

Best Craft Beers For White Wine Fans

If your thing is white wine, go for a spicy, aromatic Saison. These dry, punchy beers are highly carbonated and taste amazing when chilled - just like a glass of your go-to white.

Best Craft Beers For Red Wine Drinkers

Red wine lovers will get on brilliantly with dark Belgian beer - perhaps a triple hop Duvel. These earthy, challenging beers are like deep reds bursting with tannins and will make you reconsider what you thought a beer could be.

For the more adventurous, Milk Stout is sweeter than a London or Irish dry stout, with dark fruit and chocolate notes and a smooth silky mouth-feel. It’s a modern take on a traditional style that’ll appeal to the more traditional drinkers as well as those new to craft.



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