Ordering a beer flight when you travel to new pubs is an exciting way to explore locally crafted, vintage or classic beer options. If you are feeling adventurous, you can enjoy a delicious selection of new flavors. Beer lovers across the globe order these beer samplers to broaden their horizons or try their favorite drinks at a reasonable cost.

Whether you are new to the world of craft beers or want to explore a new way to stretch your knowledge, try a beer flight during your next visit to a brewery. Learn more about these samplers below.

What Is a Beer Flight?

Beer flights are selections of three to five beer types in 2- to 6-ounce glasses. A server will bring them to your table on a wooden plank so you can explore the flavors of different taps the location serves. Similar to wine tastings, you can select any type of beer you want to sample while you eat and chat with friends. You can order a flight of beer with your favorites or branch out to try new flavors.

Types of Beer Flights

Most breweries and bars will offer beer flights with different sizings, drinks and arrangements for you to explore. Before your next trip to the bar, learn the different types of samplers to get the most flavor out of your experience.

Consider trying these beer flight ideas:

Horizontal beer flight: As the most popular option for beer flights at breweries and bars across the globe, horizontal beer flights offer a wide selection of drinks to sample at your leisure. The arrangement of this beer sampler allows you to choose three to five new beverages to try or ones you already know you enjoy.
Single-style beer flight: This type of beer flight is perfect for those who know what they like! When you order a single-style beer flight, you can choose three to five different IPAs, ales, lagers or any drink you enjoy that has similar shades and alcohol by volume (ABV) rating. This selection is great for comparing different brands that may specialize in unique brewing techniques or drinks that have had time to age compared to newer beers.
Vertical beer flight: If you enjoy tasting how a brand's beer changes over time, vertical beer flights are perfect for you. These cool beer flights use the same beer with a different year in each glass, so you can taste how these drinks age over time. These flights are great for those who enjoy finding their favorite years among the selection of drinks or testing their knowledge of the beer aging process.

Why Are Flights so Popular?

Beer flights are a relatively new addition to breweries and their menus. However, their popularity continues to increase among beer lovers due to their affordability, versatility and ability to introduce new flavors to customers. The small serving sizes and wide selection of flavors available in a beer sampler let locals and tourists get a taste of the surrounding nightlife at a reasonable price.

What To Expect When Getting a Beer Flight

Beer flights are one of the most unique menu options at a bar or brewery. The drinks and presentations will differ depending on the location. Sample sizes, arrangments and the cost of beer flights make a world of difference when you order for the first time.

Sample Size

The size of your beer flight glasses may differ depending on where you go for a drink. Some restaurants will serve the beer in a 6-ounce chalice-shaped glass, while others might give you larger shot glasses that can hold 2-3 ounces of alcohol.

While the size of the glasses may change from place to place, each drink at an establishment will have the same amount of beer. You will always have an equal chance to try all the alcohol you have selected.

Arrangement

Beer lovers can enjoy a selection of light, mild and dark drinks from local or nationally accredited breweries. You have the opportunity to choose three to five different drinks to sip on as you explore the flavors of the surrounding area. The drinks on a flight of beer typically range from the lightest beer to the darkest from one end of the flight to the other.

Cost

Since you can select multiple beers on tap for your beer flight, this menu option typically costs anywhere from $10-$20. Together, the samples typically add up to about a pint of beer. While this might not seem like much, you also get the experience of experimenting with flavors that are local, globally recognized, new and vintage.

Creating Your Flight

The great thing about beer flights is the option to select different brands, colors and types of beer. Consider how many you would like to try, what beers you are interested in and the ABV rating of each drink.

Determine Your Sample Size

Most breweries will offer sample sizes ranging between 2 and 6 ounces so you can enjoy the tastes of several different beers in one sitting. If you plan to order a pint or quart after you choose your favorite out of your selected few beers, we recommend starting with the smaller sizes.

Let's say you order a flight of four 3-ounce glasses of new beers at the bar. While this is one of the smallest options you can purchase, you still consume a standard 12-ounce drink when you combine all four beers. Remember to keep your tolerance in mind when ordering so you know the suitable sample sizes and drinks to choose from the next time you visit a brewery.

Check the ABV Ratings

The sizing of your beer flights and the ABV rate can determine the type of flight that best suits your drinking preferences. When choosing your next beer flight, it's helpful to remember that the lighter the drink, the lower the ABV.

With a typical 3%-4.5% ABV, light drinks are best for beer lovers who want to drink several glasses without feeling the effects of the alcohol content too quickly. If you prefer the darker stouts, roasted ales and porters, you can enjoy stronger flavors with a slightly higher ABV, ranging from 5.4-8.3%.

Choosing the Beer

One of the many benefits of ordering a beer flight is the freedom to choose any beers you want to try for the first time or ones you already love. You can take this opportunity to explore the differences between popular beer brands, try unique flavors from sour beers and other crowd favorites or get a taste of locally brewed craft beers.

You can select popular drink options for your flight of beer, including:

Red ales
IPAs
Lagers
Ciders
Stouts
Sours

How Do You Organize a Beer Flight?

Most beer flights will range from a very dark beer to a light one. Bartenders typically recommend starting at one end and working your way down the line instead of randomly selecting drinks to try from the selection.

However, you may decide to select three to five of the same type of beer. If you are a fan of ales, order an entire flight of them! The same principle applies to IPAs and lagers too. There is no rule that prevents you from selecting drinks that you already enjoy.

Explore Delicious Beer Flight Ideas at Thompson Island Brewing Company

With a wide variety of beers to taste during your next visit, Thompson Island Brewing Company offers rich flavors that might just become your new favorite. Our craft beer flights offer delicious flavors from around Delaware so you can get a taste of life on the coast. Choose from our own locally brewed ales, sours, IPAs and other craft beers and other one-of-a-kind drinks made by local independent craft beer brewers around Rehoboth Beach.

Enjoy a little slice of life on the Deleware coast with brewery events all month long. Enjoy live music, beer garden brunches and upcoming festivals that capture the soothing ambiance of the surrounding nature and beautiful beaches.

Plan your next trip with Thompson Island Brewing Company in mind! Contact us today with any questions.

Your Guide to Beer Flights