Your ideal ABV in a beer?

I favor the 10+ range when I don't plan on driving anywhere, though most of the new-to-me beers I review are under 8.

 

@TheIPAHunter you know I was just teasing you a bit there because of your love of the IPA and DIPA is well known in the WBAYDN forum. I agree - comparatively. But we all know that's not really the objective of the lower abv beer (I'm talking < 4% here). The objective is to provide what character they can in a lower abv package. When I want something with big aroma and flavor, I go to an IPA, Stout or BA beer. But I've had several low abv beers that have plenty of nuance, aroma & flavor to keep them interesting for me (Good Word Brewing in Duluth, GA is a great example). I am very glad breweries have been dialing these beers in. Something about crossing that age 50 barrier for me personally, I just can't drink multiple 6% plus beers like I used to. But when I do have a DIPA, I really enjoy it and it really stands out. Peace bro.

 

100%. Well stated. Also agree on the Barleywines. Once I discovered those, wow. But man they will sneak up on you if you don't respect that abv.

 

Lol! For those of us who enjoy a full range of beer styles, this abv preference question can be very confusing.

 

True that. I used to drink mostly high-ABV and/or BA dark beers, then I also got into NEIPAs and pastry/smoothie Sours. Lately, I mostly drink new-to-me beers I'm reviewing which have been Sours and NEIPAs, and a vast majority are 5-8%. My cellar is mostly 11%+. So yeah, 5-18% ABV covers it.

 

I drink across the ABV spectrum, but usually keep it seasonal (e.g. 4-6% lagers for hot summer weather, higher with stouts/BA beers and Belgian strong ales, quads in the winter). I know some people will drink BA beers year-round, but it’s frustrating to me when a brewery releases a lot of BA beers during the summer.

 

6-7%. Slowly evolving into a <8% beer drinker 100% of the time.

 

My IPA’s 6- 7%
Lager’s 4-6%
APA- 5-6%

 

Normal drinking 4-6.
Watching the market , 10 +++

 

A lager best at 4-6%. Meanwhile 6-8% is my sweet spot for IPAs. Stouts can creep up to 10%.....
I differ in that I tend to like IPAs with slightly lower ABVs at 6-8% rather than DIPA or TIPAs. I find they can still pack the same hop flavor, and if the body is done well, the finish is so clean and drinkable.

 

Unfortunately, as I have aged (now 55) I tend to seek out beers in the 4.5 to 5.5 ABV range. This allows me to have a few during a Saturday evening and not feel as if I need to fall asleep. However, sometimes I am tempted to drink a higher ABV IPA that I have always enjoyed. The other week I was able to grab a 6-pack of Racer 5 IPA which is 7.0 or so ABV. My goodness, it was wonderful, but I felt quick tuckered out the next day. It was worth it though.

 

I think it depends entirely on style and mood, but if I were forced to pick one abv, I'd go with....6%. Light enough to session for a while, enough to get a buzz when desired, and enough to maximize flavor without sacrificing said sessionability.

 

Most of my favorite porters and brown ales and even IPAs are around 6-6.5%. Saisons start really blossoming towards that abv range, too.

 

I do like some high abv beers - imperial stouts, barleywine, quad. But for hoppy beers I'll take pale or ipa almost every time vs double IPA. Just don't need the extra alcohol, 5-7 % is fine don't need 8-10

 

Depends on the style, weather and several small factors. I consider 7% my sweet spot.

 

6.66% (currently enjoying the new Duvel). But agree with above, depends on the style.

 

I was in the 6-9% group in my early years of "Craft beer", before that I drank adjunct lagers so 3-6% for most of my life.

Less DIPAs and Imperial styles in general have brought me back to 3-6% where I likely will remain. That said, I now have a craving for a big, malty Wee Heavy.

Cheers.

 

I picked 6-9 because I graduated from high school in 1969.

Seriously, I would love to have flavourful beers that are in the 3.5-4.5 range that aren't light lagers but there are so few available to me. The biggies? Yeah I dig them anytime of the year when I get a craving.

6-9 seems to be what I drink the most. Lots of styles in that range.

 

I chose 6-9 as that is the closest to my reality, but I also drink and totally enjoy pilsners, helles, browns, etc. that are lower than that.

 

I am a 5%-8% man. Happy medium. Occasionally I like stronger, special occasion or if very uncomfortable.