A Beginner’s Guide to Craft Beer Styles
Stepping up to a craft beer menu for the first time can feel like staring at a trail map with a dozen different routes exciting, but maybe a little overwhelming. What’s the difference between a Pale Ale and an IPA? Is a Stout just a dark beer? And what in the world is a Sour?
At Old Yale Brewing, we believe beer should be about adventure and enjoyment, not confusion. So, let’s break down the most common craft beer styles in plain English, with a little help from our own lineup.
🍺 Pale Ale: The Balanced Adventurer
If beer styles were hikes, Pale Ales would be that trail you recommend to everyone. They’re approachable and easy to love, with a balance of biscuity malt and citrusy hops. Pale Ales usually lean toward a medium body with just enough bitterness to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds.
Flavour Notes: Caramel, toasted bread, orange zest, light pine
Why People Love It: Balanced, versatile, and refreshing — a great “entry point” to hoppier beers.
Old Yale Pick: Off Trail Pale Ale — Our classic take with smooth malt and refreshing hop character. It’s the perfect beer to kick back with after a day outdoors.
🌲 IPA (India Pale Ale): The Bold Explorer
The IPA is the style that put craft beer on the map. Known for its bold hop aromas and flavours, IPAs range from piney and resinous to juicy and tropical. They typically pack more bitterness than Pale Ales, making them a style for adventurers looking for bigger flavour.
Flavour Notes: Grapefruit, mango, pineapple, pine resin, citrus peel
Why People Love It: Big flavour, variety of styles (West Coast, Hazy, Double), and that unmistakable hoppy punch.
Old Yale Picks:
West Coast IPA — Crisp bitterness, resinous pine, and bright citrus. A true West Coast classic.
Hazy IPA — Soft and juicy, with tropical fruit and minimal bitterness. Perfect for hop lovers who prefer smooth over sharp.
☕ Stout: The Cozy Campfire
Stouts are the dark, roasty comfort food of the beer world. These beers are brewed with roasted malts, which create flavours of coffee, chocolate, caramel, and sometimes even smoke. They’re often rich, creamy, and full-bodied — the perfect companion for cooler weather or a night around the fire.
Flavour Notes: Coffee, cocoa, toasted nuts, caramel, molasses
Why People Love It: Hearty, warming, and full of flavour a style that feels like a treat with every sip.
Old Yale Pick: Sasquatch Stout : Our legendary Canadian Stout, brewed with roasted malts for deep flavour and a smooth, balanced finish.
🍫 Porter: The Smooth Storyteller
Porters and Stouts are close cousins, but Porters generally have a lighter body and a touch more drinkability. They still bring plenty of roasty, chocolatey character, often with subtle nutty or toffee notes. If you want something dark without going too heavy, a Porter is a great choice.
Flavour Notes: Chocolate, roasted malt, light caramel, toffee, nuts
Why People Love It: Rich flavour without being too heavy a little indulgence that doesn’t overwhelm.
Old Yale Pick: Vanilla Porter (seasonal) — A smooth, velvety beer with notes of cocoa and a touch of vanilla sweetness.
🍋 Sour: The Tangy Trail Mix
Sours are the wild cards of the beer world tart, refreshing, and often bursting with fruit flavour. They get their tangy character from special yeast or bacteria, which create bright, acidic notes. If you like kombucha, lemonade, or tart candies, sours might just be your style.
Flavour Notes: Lemon, berry, tropical fruit, yogurt-like tang, refreshing tartness
Why People Love It: Vibrant, fruity, and perfect for summer sipping. Each sour brings something new to the table.
Old Yale Picks:
Blackberry Vanilla Sour Ale Bursting with jammy berries and rounded out with smooth vanilla creaminess.
Rotating Sour Series Always something seasonal, always something fun.
🍻 Lager: The Classic Cooler Buddy
Crisp, clean, and endlessly refreshing, Lagers are the easy-going beers you can always count on. Unlike hop-forward IPAs or roasty Stouts, Lagers lean light and simple, showcasing subtle malt sweetness and mild hop flavour. They’re the kind of beer you’ll want to keep stocked in the cooler all year long.
Flavour Notes: Crackery malt, soft floral hops, clean finish
Why People Love It: Easy-drinking, crisp, and refreshing approachable for everyone.
Old Yale Pick: Chilliwack Common — Our smooth, balanced craft lager, brewed to refresh after any adventure.
🧭 Find Your Style
Still not sure where to start? Here’s the quick trail map:
Balanced & approachable? Pale Ale or Lager.
Hop-forward adventure? IPA.
Dark & roasty? Stout or Porter.
Tangy & refreshing? Sour.
At the end of the day, the best way to learn is by exploring. Crack open something new, share a pint with friends, and discover which trails your taste buds want to follow.
👉 Find your next fav’ at our Abbotsford or Beaumont Taprooms your craft beer adventure starts here.