Your Fun & Simple Guide to Craft Beer Lingo

Jul 18

Let’s be honest. You’ve been there. You’re standing in our taproom, gazing up at the beer list, ready to dive into a new adventure. And then you see it: a flurry of letters and words that sound more like a science textbook than a delicious, refreshing beverage. IBU? Gose? Hazy?

Don't get your hops in a twist! The world of craft beer has its own language, but it’s a lot more fun and a lot less intimidating than it looks. Think of us as your friendly trail guide, here to help you navigate the terrain.

So, welcome to our slightly knotty, totally-not-stuffy glossary of beer terms. After this, you’ll be talking beer like a seasoned pro.

The Building Blocks of Beer

First, let's start with the basics. These are the terms you'll see everywhere, and understanding them is like learning the chords to your favourite campfire song.

ABV (Alcohol By Volume): This one's pretty straightforward—it's the measure of how much alcohol is in your beer. A lower ABV beer (like a 4.0% session ale) is great for longer afternoons on the patio, while a higher ABV brew (like some of our bigger stouts or IPAs) packs a bit more punch and is perfect for savouring.

IBU (International Bitterness Units): This sounds way more intimidating than it is! IBU is simply a scale that measures the bitterness from hops in a beer. A higher IBU (like in our classic West Coast IPA ) means a hoppier, more bitter bite. A lower IBU (like in our smooth Knotty Blonde Ale means it’s less bitter and more malt-forward. It's not a measure of quality, just a signpost for your tastebuds!

Malt: If beer was a campfire story, malt would be the narrator. Malt is a grain (usually barley) that has been prepared for brewing. It provides the fermentable sugars that yeast turns into alcohol, but more importantly for you, it provides the beer’s colour and its foundational flavours—from bready and biscuity to sweet, caramelly, and roasty.

Hops: These little green cones are the spice of life… and beer! Hops provide bitterness (which balances the malt's sweetness), but they're also responsible for a huge range of aromas and flavours. Depending on the hop, they can make a beer taste and smell citrusy, piney, floral, fruity, or earthy. They're the adventurous soul of many of your favourite brews.

Navigating the Beer Styles

Now that you've got the lingo for the ingredients, let's talk about the delicious results.

Ale vs. Lager: This is one of the biggest divides in the beer world. The main difference is the type of yeast used and the temperature it ferments at.

Ales ferment warmer, resulting in more complex, fruity, and robust flavours. Think IPAs, Stouts, and Pale Ales.
Lagers ferment cooler for a longer period, creating beers that are typically smoother, crisper, and more clean-tasting.

Stout: Dark, rich, and roasty. Stouts get their signature deep colour from roasted malt, which gives them delicious notes of coffee, chocolate, and caramel. If you want to taste a legend, look no further than our award-winning Sasquatch Stout. It’s the cozy flannel shirt of the beer world.

IPA (India Pale Ale): The darling of the craft beer scene! IPAs are all about showcasing hops, so you can expect them to be more bitter with big, bold aromas. A West Coast IPA is typically bright, crisp, and piney, while a Hazy IPA (see below) is softer, fruitier, and, well, hazier!

Sour / Gose (goes-uh): Ready for a flavour adventure? Sours are beers made to be intentionally tart and acidic. It’s a refreshing, often fruity pucker-up that can be a real "sip of sunshine." A Gose is a specific type of sour known for being brewed with salt and coriander, making it uniquely crisp and tangy. Keep an eye on our Trailblazer Series for our latest creations like our new and delicious Mango Margarita Sour Gose!

Hazy: When you see "Hazy" or "Juicy" on the menu, get ready for a tropical trip. These are unfiltered beers (usually IPAs or Pale Ales) that are loaded with hops prized for their fruit-forward flavours rather than their bitterness. The result is a beer with a silky-smooth mouthfeel and an explosion of juicy, fruity notes like mango, passion fruit, and citrus.

In the Taproom

You've made it! You're at the brewery, ready to order. Here are a couple of last terms to know.

Growler / Crowler: See a beer on tap you wish you could take on your next adventure? You can!

A Growler is a 64oz (or 32oz) reusable glass jug we can fill with your favourite draft beer.

Your Adventure Awaits!

There you have it—you've been officially "Beer-ified!" Remember, the goal isn't to memorize a dictionary; it's to find what you love. The best way to learn is by tasting, so come hangout at one of our tasting rooms in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, or Beaumont!

Our amazing team is always here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect pint. So go ahead, order with confidence, and let's Taste the Adventure together!

Cheers!