Explore the Styles of Craft Beers

Explore the Styles of Craft Beers

Craft beer is more than just a drink – it’s an art form that showcases the creativity and dedication of brewers around the world. At Spare Time Entertainment Center, we’re passionate about celebrating the diverse styles of craft beer and helping our guests discover new favorites. Whether you’re new to craft beer or a seasoned connoisseur, understanding the different styles can deepen your appreciation for this timeless beverage. Plus, our prices are some of the most affordable in the area, so you can explore without breaking the bank.

Light Beers: Refreshing and Approachable

Light beers are an excellent introduction to the craft beer world. They’re crisp, clean, and often feature subtle flavors that appeal to a wide range of palates. Here are some popular styles:

• Ales: Known for their fruity and floral notes, ales are brewed with top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, resulting in a smooth, flavorful profile. Examples include pale ales and blonde ales.
• Lagers: Crisp and refreshing, lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures. They often feature light malt flavors and a clean finish, making them a favorite for many.
• Shandies: A delightful blend of beer and lemonade or other citrus flavors, shandies are perfect for those seeking a sweeter, more refreshing option.

India Pale Ales (IPAs): Bold and Hoppy

IPAs are one of the most popular styles in the craft beer world. These beers are known for their strong hop presence, which can create flavors ranging from citrusy and fruity to piney and resinous. Here are a few variations:

• New England IPA (NEIPA): This style is hazy and juicy, with a focus on tropical and citrus flavors. It’s less bitter than traditional IPAs, making it approachable for newcomers.
• West Coast IPA: A classic style with a clear appearance and a bold, bitter hop profile. Expect flavors of pine, grapefruit, and resin.
• Double IPA (DIPA): Also known as Imperial IPA, this style is stronger in both alcohol content and hop flavor, offering an intense experience for hop enthusiasts.

Dark Beers: Rich and Complex

Dark beers are characterized by their roasted malt flavors, which can range from chocolate and coffee to caramel and toffee. These styles are perfect for those who enjoy bold, full-bodied flavors:

• Stouts: Thick and creamy, stouts often feature flavors of coffee, chocolate, and roasted barley. Variations include milk stouts and oatmeal stouts.
• Porters: Similar to stouts but generally lighter in body, porters offer rich, malty flavors with hints of caramel and toffee.
• Brown Ales: A versatile style with nutty, toasty, and sometimes sweet flavors. Brown ales are often less heavy than stouts and porters.

Sour Beers: Tart and Refreshing

Sour beers have gained popularity for their unique, tangy flavors. These beers are often fermented with wild yeast or bacteria, resulting in a refreshing and complex taste. Common styles include:

• Berliner Weisse: A light, tart wheat beer with low alcohol content. Often served with fruit syrups to balance the acidity.
• Gose: A salty and sour wheat beer with hints of coriander and citrus. This style is both refreshing and distinctive.
• Lambics: Traditionally brewed in Belgium, lambics are fermented with wild yeast and aged in barrels. They often feature fruit additions, such as cherries (Kriek) or raspberries (Framboise).

Specialty and Hybrid Beers

Some beers defy traditional classifications, blending styles or incorporating unique ingredients. Here are a few examples:

• Barrel-Aged Beers: These beers are aged in barrels that previously held spirits like whiskey or wine, imparting complex flavors.
• Wheat Beers: Brewed with a high proportion of wheat, these beers are often light, hazy, and refreshing, with hints of banana and clove.
• Fruit Beers: Made with real fruit or fruit extracts, these beers range from sweet to tart and showcase the brewer’s creativity.

Discover Craft Beers at Spare Time!

At Spare Time Entertainment Center, we’re committed to bringing you the best craft beer experience in East Lansing. From light and crisp lagers to bold and hoppy IPAs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And with some of the most affordable prices in the area, you can explore a wide variety of styles without worrying about your budget.

Stop by to explore our rotating selection of beers on tap and find your new favorite style.