January 30, 2026

Beer Flights & Tasting Notes: How to Build the Perfect Flight at Elicit

Build your perfect beer flight at Elicit Brewing and explore a variety of craft beer styles, from crisp lagers to bold IPAs and rich stouts. Share flights with friends and discover the best pairings for every meal, all in a casual, no-pressure environment.

Can’t pick just one? Same. That’s exactly why beer flights exist. Most people who start Googling types of beer or craft beer aren’t trying to become experts. They’re just curious. They want to try something new without committing to a full pint they might not love. A beer flight keeps things low-pressure and way more fun. Small pours. Multiple styles. Zero regret.

At Elicit, flights are kind of the sweet spot. With a rotating tap list and a mix of classic and creative styles, flights let us explore the range without overthinking it. One visit, four pours, and suddenly craft beer feels a lot less intimidating and a lot more social.

Types of Beer 101: A Quick Glance

Before building a flight, it helps to know the basic types of beer. No jargon, no gatekeeping. Just the essentials.

Lagers & Light Styles

These are crisp, clean, and easygoing. Light styles are refreshing, straightforward, and perfect for first-timers or anyone who says, “I don’t usually like beer.”

Think smooth finishes, subtle flavor, and serious drinkability. These beers are great palate starters and make an ideal first pour in a flight.

Pale Ale Beer: Balanced, Hoppy, But Not Too Wild

A pale ale beer is often the bridge between light beers and hoppier styles. You get a balance of malt and hops, moderate bitterness, and flavors that feel approachable without being boring.

For people easing into craft beer, pale ales are a go-to. They’re flavorful, but they don’t overwhelm your taste buds. They also pair well with pretty much anything coming out of the kitchen.

Popular IPA Beers: Bold, Hoppy, and Flavor-Packed

This is where hop lovers hang out. Popular IPA beers are known for bold aroma, noticeable bitterness, and big flavors like citrus, pine, or tropical fruit.

Not all IPAs are the same, though. Some are hazy and juicy, others are crisp and bitter, and some dial things up even further. Flights make it easy to compare styles side by side and figure out what kind of IPA actually works for you.

Stout Beer: Dark, Roasty, and Cozy

Stout beer is all about roasted malt flavors. Coffee, chocolate, and toasted notes are common, with a fuller body and a smooth finish. It’s kind of a ‘dessert beer’ option.

These darker styles feel comforting, especially when you want something slower and richer. They also make great contrast pours in a flight, especially after lighter beers.

How to Build the Perfect Flight for Your Taste

There’s no single ‘right’ flight. The best one depends on what you’re into or how adventurous you’re feeling.

The “I’m New to Craft Beer” Flight

This one’s about range without overload. Go for:

  • One light lager or easy-drinking style
  • One pale ale beer
  • One mild IPA
  • One approachable, darker beer, like an amber or lighter stout

The goal here is to taste different types of beer without blowing out your palate. It’s an intro, not a challenge.

The “Hop Lover” Flight

If hops are already your thing, lean into them. Pick:

  • One pale ale
  • Two to three IPAs in different styles

This kind of flight lets you compare aroma, bitterness, and finish, and really dial in what kind of hops you prefer.

The “Dark & Cozy” Flight

Perfect for fans of stout beer and malt-forward styles, choose the below:

  • Two to three stouts or porters
  • One lighter beer to reset your palate

The contrast makes the darker beers stand out even more.

The “Bring the Whole Beer Hall” Crowd-Pleaser Flight

Great for sharing and easy wins, the four picks below pair well with the food you order.

  • One light style
  • One pale ale
  • One IPA
  • One dark beer

Something for everyone at the table, no debates required.

Tasting Notes 101: How to Actually Talk About What You’re Drinking

An image of Fresh craft beer being poured from a tap into an Elicit Brewing glass.

You don’t need fancy language to enjoy beer. You just need to pay a little attention.

Look, Smell, Sip, Repeat

Look at the color, clarity, and foam.

Smell for things that feel familiar, like citrus, toast, coffee, chocolate, or fruit.

Sip and notice the sweetness versus the bitterness, the body, and how it finishes.

That’s it. No swirl-and-sniff performance needed.

What to Look For in Each Type of Beer

Pale ale beer usually feels balanced with gentle bitterness and light citrus or floral notes.

Popular IPA beers bring a stronger hop aroma and bigger flavor. Stout beer leans towards roasty, smooth, and rich. Light styles stay crisp, clean, and refreshing.

How to Take Notes Without Being “That Person”

Snap a photo of the menu. Jot a few words in your phone. Keep it simple.

Pairing Light & Pale Beers

Lighter styles and pale ales work beautifully with burgers, fries, pizza, and shareable bites. Clean flavors meet comfort food energy.

Pairing IPAs

IPAs love bold food. Spicy dishes, wings, and anything with heat or strong seasoning stand up well to hop-forward beers.

Pairing Stouts & Dark Beers

Stouts shine with rich foods, chocolatey desserts, or even on their own as a slow nightcap.

Order the flight first, food second, or flip it around. There’s no wrong way to do it.

How to Order a Flight at Elicit Without Overthinking It

Ordering a flight doesn’t require homework or knowing the names of every style on tap. At Elicit, it’s meant to feel casual, conversational, and easy from the first question to the first sip.

Talk to the Bartender: Not a Quiz, Just a Vibe Check

The easiest way to build a flight is to explain what you usually like. Light. Fruity. Coffee-ish. Not too bitter.

Our team helps shape a flight based on your vibe, not beer jargon. It’s a conversation, not a test.

Pro tips for the best flight experience: Start light and move toward bolder beers. Sip water between pours. Share flights with friends to try even more types of beer.

Why Elicit Is the Best Place to Learn Your Favorite Types of Beer

An image of a Hand holding a freshly poured Elicit Brewing pint with a golden beer against a dark bar background.

Trying different types of beer should feel relaxed, social, and fun. That’s exactly the point at Elicit. With a wide range of craft beer styles on tap, a full kitchen, and spaces that let you move from the beer hall to lounge seating or out to the patio, it’s easy to explore without pressure. We’re walk-in only, first-come, first-served, and intentionally fluid. Grab a seat, grab a flight, and settle in.

Whether you’re brand new to craft beer or already know what you like, there’s room to experiment and hang out without feeling out of place.

Quick Beer Flight FAQs

Can I build my own flight?

Flights can be built from Elicit drafts.

Do flights change based on what’s on tap?

Yes. Draft lists rotate, so there’s always something new to try.

Can we share flights?

Absolutely. Flights are made for sharing.

Do you have non-beer options?

Yes. There are cocktails and non-alcoholic options available for anyone in the group who isn’t feeling beer.

Your Flight Is Waiting

Try new styles, share pours with friends, and see how different beers pair with food on the table. No reservations, no pressure, no wrong answers, just a better way to drink beer and enjoy the night. 

Ready to figure out what you actually like without turning beer into a homework assignment? Walk into Elicit, order a flight, and let curiosity do the rest. 

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