Drinking beer is a favorite pastime of people around the world. This is especially true in the United States, where local and small-batch brewing has become a multi-billion dollar industry. All the small factories and companies combined are now beginning to rival the large corporate brewing conglomerates that used to dominate the industry. This is great for consumers around the world. Not only can you get more variety at your local grocery store, you can even shop for homebrew kits and learn how to make your own beer. It’s an exciting time for beer fans everywhere. Do you want to start? Here’s a quick beer drinker’s guide to finding breweries near me.

1. Decide what beer you like to drink

There are many different types and categories of beer. Lagers, the most common, tend to be the beers that many are familiar with from the start. However, once you dive into craft beers, you may need to learn a little more about what you are buying. If you like crispier and smoother beers, try lagers that tend to age longer creating smoother finishes and crunchier flavors. The most common large corporate brands tend to be lagers. Next you have ales. Ales are often darker in color and have more complex flavors. The slight bitterness of the hop adds more body and uniqueness than your standard lager. For those who enjoy heavier and highly complex tasting beers, you have stouts and porters. These beers are very dark and made with roasted malt for an extra touch of flavor.

2. Types of marks

You have your big mass-production brands and then you get into craft beer making. The definition of craft brewers is a traditional, independent small business. Typically this means that the company produces less than 6 million barrels and is 75% owned by the craft brewery. There are also microbreweries that can only produce beer locally, often competing with beers on a large scale in their localized markets. These can become very popular and become competitive craft brewers. Take a look at local micro restaurants, pubs, and pizzerias to get a taste of what your city has to offer.

3. local beers in your city

As mentioned, you can find local beers in restaurants, pubs, pizzerias, and even a movie theater. Today, there are movie theaters where you can enjoy grilled food, small beers, and watch your favorite movie all at the same time. Check your weekly newspaper, fanzines, and local newsletters for places that serve craft beer. You can even join a group of meetings or organizations at the local or regional level to help you stay informed about craft beer.

To find what you’re looking for, start with what interests you in the world of beer and take a local look at what your city has to offer.