Alberta Craft Beer Styles Explained: A Plain-Language Guide for St. Albert Beer Fans

The beer fridge has changed a lot in the last decade. Where there used to be a handful of familiar lagers, you'll now find hazy IPAs, sours, stouts and seasonal releases, many of them Alberta craft beer brewed close to home. If you've ever stood in front of the cooler wondering what a "Märzen" is or why one IPA is clear and another looks like orange juice, this guide is for you. No beer-snob vocabulary required.

How Alberta's craft beer scene took off

Until 2013, Alberta required breweries to produce a large minimum volume of beer each year before they could sell it, which kept many small brewers out. When the province lifted that minimum production requirement, as CBC News reported at the time, small breweries and taprooms began opening across the province. Today, there are well over a hundred breweries in Alberta, from tiny taprooms to larger regional brewers, and many of them make the styles below.

The two big families: lagers and ales

Nearly every beer is either a lager or an ale. The difference is the yeast:

• Lagers ferment cool and slowly, which tends to give a clean, crisp, smooth beer.
• Ales ferment warmer and faster, often giving fruitier, more aromatic flavours.

Neither is better. They're just different, and both families include light and dark beers.

Alberta craft beer styles, from light to dark

Lager and pilsner

Crisp, clean and refreshing. Pilsners are a type of lager with a bit more hop bitterness and a floral or spicy aroma. A craft lager is a great starting point if you usually drink mainstream beer.

Märzen and Vienna lager

Amber lagers with a toasty, bready malt flavour and a smooth finish. Märzen is the traditional Oktoberfest style, so you'll often see it in the fall.

Pale ale

A balanced ale with moderate hop bitterness and aroma, often with notes of citrus, pine or flowers. An easy-drinking introduction to hoppy beer.

IPA (India pale ale)

Stronger and hoppier than a pale ale. There are a few sub-styles you'll see on cans:

• West Coast IPA: clear, dry and noticeably bitter, with pine and grapefruit notes.
• Hazy or New England IPA: cloudy, soft and juicy, with tropical fruit aromas and less bitterness.
• Double or imperial IPA: an even bigger, stronger version. Check the alcohol percentage. These are often 8% or more.
• Session IPA: a lighter, lower-alcohol IPA for when you want the hop flavour without the strength.

Amber and red ale

Malty and a little caramel-sweet, with gentle hop bitterness. A good middle ground between light lagers and dark beers.

Brown ale

Nutty, toasty and lightly chocolatey, without the roasted bite of a stout.

Stout and porter

Dark beers made with roasted malts, with flavours of coffee, cocoa and toast. Porters tend to be a little lighter and more chocolatey; stouts a little more roasty. Despite their colour, many aren't especially heavy or strong. Imperial stouts are the exception, rich and high in alcohol, and best for sipping slowly.

Wheat beer

Light, hazy and soft, made with a large portion of wheat. Some have banana and clove notes from the yeast; others are citrusy. Very refreshing on a summer patio.

Sour beer

Tart and refreshing, often brewed with fruit. If you like sour candy, kombucha or dry cider, give one a try. Kettle sours are light and fruity; barrel-aged sours are more complex.

Seasonal releases

Many Alberta brewers release beers that change with the seasons: light lagers and fruited sours in the summer, Märzen and pumpkin-spiced beers in the fall, and darker, warming winter ales and stouts around the holidays. Seasonal beers come and go, so ask what's new.

Quick style finder

How to read a craft beer can

• Style: usually right on the front.
• ABV (alcohol by volume): the alcohol percentage. A typical beer is around 5%. A 355 ml can of 5% beer is about one standard drink; a 473 ml tallboy at 7% is about two.
• IBU: International Bitterness Units. Higher numbers usually mean more bitter, though malt sweetness can balance it out.
• Canned or packaged date: the freshness date. For hoppy beers like IPAs, fresher is better.

How to store craft beer

• Keep it cold. Cold storage slows down the loss of hop aroma. Hop-forward beers are best enjoyed within a few months.
• Keep it out of the light. Sunlight can give beer a "skunky" smell.
• Store cans and bottles upright.
• Mind the cold in winter. Beer left in a vehicle in a St. Albert cold snap can freeze and burst.
• Strong stouts and barley wines are the exception. Some can be aged, but most beer is best fresh.

Beer and food

Beer is very food-friendly. Pilsners and lagers go with spicy food and fish; pale ales and IPAs stand up to burgers and wings; ambers and browns suit roast meats and stews; stouts are great with barbecue and chocolate desserts. Planning a party? Our guide to how much alcohol you need for a party or wedding will help you work out how much beer to buy.

Drink craft beer responsibly

Craft beers are often stronger than they look, so check the ABV on the can and pace yourself. Alternate with water, eat something, and plan a safe ride home. Never drive after drinking. Our guide to Alberta liquor laws covers the rules for driving and carrying beer in your vehicle.

Find craft beer in St. Albert

At City Liquor, you'll find cold beer ready to go and staff who are happy to talk styles. Tell us what you usually drink and we'll suggest something new to try. Visit us at 260-525 St Albert Trail, browse the beer aisle, or drop in on the way to the game. We're open until 10 PM Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.