Why Is It Called A Flight Of Beer?

Beer flight? Does it mean you have to board an airplane to enjoy your beer? Or do you get a special offer while flying high and looking for a beer? Why is it called a flight of beer? Let’s see.

Are you anxious about flying or boarding a plane? No, you won’t have to do that, so relax. It’s just a special beer experience, and it’s on the ground, where everything is safe!

What Is A Flight Of Beer?

Simply put, a flight of beer is a selection of beers. You can also use the “flight” term for other drinks, like gin or whiskey (you got it, a flight of whiskey is a selection of whiskey). Beer flights, aka beer-tasting samplers, usually include at least three different beer styles for you to taste and explore. 

It typically consists of a wooden board or plank (it can also be made of plastic) that hosts three to nine (or even more) glasses of refreshing beer. The 3 to 5-ounce glasses are small, making them perfect for tasting. Beer flights can be very varied – some may feature a variety of vintage beer styles, beers produced by a specific brewer, or experimental beers. Beer flights are specifically designed to help customers experience different flavors in a short period.

Beer flights are very attractive for customers because they offer amazing variety – you can test multiple beer styles in just a few minutes. They are affordable, provide a customized beer experience, and… let’s face it, those small beer glasses are cute! Those small glasses also make the tasting experience special, preserving the taste better than large glasses.

Beer flights are awesome if you want to quickly find the beer you like (or the one you want to avoid in the future). Beer enthusiasts even call it “exploring the great beer frontier”. It helps you explore even the most peculiar beer styles without committing to a full serving. You’ll get just a taste of multiple beers before deciding what you want!

Why Is It Called A Flight Of Beer?

So why do we call it a beer flight? Why don’t we call it a beer selection? 

According to most English dictionaries, the word ” flight ” has a secondary meaning. While we are all familiar with the primary definition of flight (the action or process of flying through the air), the secondary definition is “a group, a flock, or a large number of birds flying together”. This secondary definition is the origin of beer flight – it’s a large group of beers placed together. The small group of beer glasses placed on a wooden plank perfectly fits the secondary definition of flight!

Quick fact: flight is also used in the idiom “flight of stairs”, where the definition is similar to beer flights.

Types of Beer Flights

Go to any good bar, and you’ll see that there are several types of beer flights:

• horizontal beer flights – these beer flights are by far the most popular ones across bars and breweries worldwide; three, four, five, or six small beer glasses are placed on a wooden plank (with special holes to hold them in place); the arrangement lets you choose which to drink first and in what order (ideally you should start from the lightest and go to the darkest beers);
• single-style beer flights – they are ideal for customers who already know what they want and like; they feature beers from a similar style, like a selection of ales, IPAs, or stouts; it’s an excellent way to compare similar beer styles coming from different brewers (for instance, which stout is better?)
• vertical beer flights – this is a unique beer flight, often seen in better bars or in specialty breweries; it features a selection of the same beer produced in different years; for instance, you’ll get stouts produced by a specific brewery, in 2018, 2019, and 2020; beer connoisseurs love vertical beer flights because it’s a good way to see how beer ages over time and if the quality improves;

(you can even add ginger ale or ginger beer if you really want to!)

Why Should You Buy A Beer Flight?

#1 – You Want Variety And Want To Explore

There are A LOT of beer styles to choose from, especially if you go to a good bar in a famous beer brewing area. You can feel overwhelmed by the amazing variety, so why not try them all (well, almost all)? Beer flights let you explore multiple beer styles and help you find the real winner. It’s perfect for customers who get bored easily and are always looking for new awesome beer. With only a 3 to 5-ounce pour, you can explore a lot of different beers without getting drunk. You can also switch beers and ask for more variety without feeling guilty for wasting precious beer.

#2 – You Want Something New

Let’s face it – even if you are a fan of a particular brewery or beer style, you will want something new occasionally. And getting a beer flight is the perfect opportunity! It’s the perfect occasion to try to find something new that may truly impress you. Heck, maybe you’ll find a beer that you will enjoy for years to come!

#3 – You Don’t Know What You Want

Maybe you are a tourist in an area famous for its beer. Or maybe you want to try craft beer for the first time and don’t really know anything about it. Beer flights are ideal if you don’t know what you want, are unsure about the beers you will be tasting, or find yourself in a completely new “beer environment”. Beer flights are awesome experiences for people who have little experience with beer and want to learn more. Just ask the bartender for the best local selection, or ask for something special! You will definitely not be disappointed!

#4 – You Don’t Want To Drink Too Much

This is another advantage of getting a beer flight – watch your beer intake! When you enjoy good beer, you can get carried away easily. It happened to all of us, so you shouldn’t be ashamed. A beer flight is an excellent choice because the amount of beer in each glass is small, so the risk of getting drunk is lower. The small portions mean lower alcohol, so you won’t get drunk.

Quick fact: Beer flights are usually drunk from the lightest beer to the darkest one. You have to work your way up to the darkest colors. 

How Should You Drink A Beer Flight?

Of course, you can drink the beer in any way you want, there are no set rules, and nobody will judge you. Beer flights let you explore beer the way you want it, so if you feel like drinking the darker ones first, it’s ok. However, beer connoisseurs start with the lighter beers first and go up the ladder to the darker and stronger beers. Your bartender will even organize the glasses on the flight accordingly, typically from left to right, giving you a slow transition from soft to strong beers. 

Drinking the flight from the lighter beers to the darker ones lets you explore the taste in all its depth. Your mouth will not be invaded by the strong flavor of darker beers right from the start. If you do it right, your taste buds will adapt from light to darker flavors.

How To Enjoy Beer Flights Even More?

• add food – ask your bartender what foods go with your beer flight; make sure to get something that compliments the beer selection – is it something salty, fat, sweet, or bitter? Explore what works best with your beer selection to get the ultimate experience;
• use similar sized cups – make sure you drink similar amounts from each beer
• pay attention to the temperature – the beers have to be served at the right temperature for each beer style; otherwise, it may affect the experience
• don’t chug – if you do it, you won’t be able to enjoy the flavors
• don’t order a beer flight without asking your bartender

Wrapping It Up

Beer flights offer enthusiasts a captivating journey through the intricate world of brewing. With their diverse flavors, styles, and aromas, beer flights provide a unique opportunity for individuals to expand their palate and deepen their appreciation for the artistry of brewing. So next time you’re at a brewery or taproom, don’t hesitate to try them out! You won’t regret it!