The craft beer aisle can feel like a foreign language — hazy this, imperial that, double dry-hopped whatever. But you don't need a certification to drink well. Here's a plain-English tour of the main styles, and which ones earn a spot in your golf cooler.
The big styles, decoded
- Lager / Pilsner — crisp, clean, refreshing, easy-drinking. The classic golf beer. If you want something cold and uncomplicated for the cart, start here.
- Pale Ale — a little more hop flavor and body than a lager, but still balanced and approachable. A great middle ground.
- IPA — hop-forward and bolder, ranging from citrusy and juicy (hazy IPAs) to piney and bitter (West Coast). Big flavor; know that "hazy" tends to be smoother and fruitier.
- Wheat beer — light, slightly cloudy, often with a hint of citrus or spice. Refreshing on a hot day.
- Stout / Porter — dark, roasty, notes of coffee and chocolate. A cold-weather or after-dinner beer, not a cart beer.
- Sour — tart and tangy, sometimes fruity. Polarizing but incredibly refreshing when it's hot out.
What belongs in the cart
For golf specifically, lean toward lower-alcohol, refreshing styles: lagers, pilsners, pale ales, and lighter wheat beers. A hazy session IPA is a great choice if you want more flavor without a knockout ABV. Save the imperial stouts and 9% double IPAs for the couch — the sun and a boozy beer make for a rough back nine.
Watch the ABV
Craft beer can sneak up on you. Plenty of IPAs run 7–9% alcohol, nearly double a standard lager. Over a five-hour round in the heat, that matters. Look for "session" beers (usually under 5%) if you want to enjoy a few across eighteen holes and still find the fairway on seventeen.
Learn the handful of styles above and you'll never stare blankly at a beer menu again. Keep the cart crisp and sessionable, save the big stuff for after, and drink what you actually like — that's the only rule that matters.