Today is International Beer Day + we’ve put together a beer dictionary to tell you about the beer types, where you can find them locally, and what food pairings work best with your beer.

Amber + Red Ale | Red and amber ales will typically taste like caramel, dried fruit, or coffee — more sour than sweet. Pair with a hearty slow cooker meat.
Local rec: Benjamin Tallmadge at 13 Stripes Brewery

Belgian Style Beer | Belgian beers come in pale ales, dark ales, fruity beers, and sour ales. Belgian-style beers have a high alcohol content + low bitterness. Pair with cheese and potato dishes.
Local rec: Royal Brune at Greenville Beer Exchange

Brown Ale | An English-style ale that is especially sweet + nutty tasting. Pair with pecan pie.
Local rec: Yeoman's Brown at Brewery 85

Fruit Beer | Many fruits find their way into beer recipes — some popular ones are lime, strawberry, and cherry. Most fruit beers are sweet tasting + pair perfectly with dessert.
Local rec: Banana Bread Beer at Hoppin’ GVL

Hefeweizen | Hefeweizen is the German word for pale wheat beer. Also called witbiers or blanches, they’re made by adding wheat to the mix to give the beer a foamy head + a silky texture. They have a distinct sweetness and sometimes give off a bubble gum or banana smell. Pair with cedar-smoked salmon or a watermelon + tomato salad.
Local rec: Vier Baume at Tetrad Brewing

India Pale Ale (IPA) | These beers can be bitter + have high alcohol levels. They can range from citrus flavors to stronger, more bitter flavors — depending on the hops used. These are usually the intro beer for new beer drinkers. Pair with fish + chips.
Local rec: Ellida at Quest Brewing

Pale Ale | Pale ales are usually hoppy but carry a lower alcohol content than IPAs. Most types of pale ale are malty, medium-bodied, and easy to drink.
Local rec: Azacca Farmhouse Pale Ale at Birds Fly South

Pale Lager | A crisp, light-bodied + moderately hoppy beer. Pair with a classic margherita pizza.
Local rec: Up/Down Coffee Lager at Fireforge

Pilsner | A light + crisp lager from 19th century Europe that is hoppy and a pale gold color. Pair with calamari or schnitzel.
Local rec: Out Of Pocket at Five Forks Brewing

Radler | A radler is a hybrid — part beer, part citrus juice. The word radler means “cyclist” in German + legend has it radlers were invented to quench the thirst of cyclists. Pair with grilled fruit or pulled pork.
Local rec: Rad Alert at The Southern Growl

Stouts + Porters | These beers have a deep, roasted flavor and are often described as tasting like chocolate or coffee. Oatmeal stouts and porters are a subtype that include a small amount of oatmeal to give it a thicker body.
Local rec: Pig Iron® Porter at Iron Hill Brewery

Wild + Sour Ales | Wild or sour ales are typically very low in alcohol, and feature tart, sour flavors that come from (safe) bacteria in the brew mash. Pair with salty meats, stinky cheeses, and lemony seafood dishes.
Local rec: Lynlake at Eighth State Brewing