The Best Beers for Women in 2023 (Tailored To What You Already Like!)

Forget the toxic masculinity of 1990s beer commercials and snarky comments by dudes at the bar, there’s enough beer for everyone. If you’re starting to believe that women don’t like beer, you probably just haven’t found the right one!

There’s no such thing as girly beer, but finding the right drink as a woman getting started with beer may require focusing on the flavors you already love. If you start your day with a strong coffee, chances are an American-adjunct Pilsner won’t appeal to you nearly as much as a good Stout or Porter. Usually a white wine drinker? Pick up a Saison.

Read on to learn more about the history of women in beer, how hard men have worked to keep them out, and what styles you should try based on the drinks you already like.

Do women like beer?

Women have both brewed and enjoyed beer since 7,000 years ago when women brewed the first beer. In fact, it was fundamentalist religious men who ostracized female beer brewers in the 1600s, leading to prosecution and even death.

Yes, some women were killed for brewing beer.

This resulted in men taking over the beer industry, and this gender bias continues today. In the 20th century, beer was marketed as a “manly” beverage, using the male gaze and traditional expressions of masculinity to sell more beer. Though this tricked many men into thinking beer made them tough, there’s nothing inherent about beer itself that makes it manly.

However, there’s no doubt that this marketing approach has contributed to the cultural masculinization of beer. Some polls have found that men say that beer is their alcoholic beverage of choice significantly more often than women. A 2017 poll found that 62% of men listed beer as their primary beverage, vs. 19% of women.

A study by controversial wine expert Tim Hanni postulates that women may be more likely to be supertasters or hypertasters, and may be overwhelmed by bitter or sweet flavors in beer. However, his theories have been questioned by some who point out that taste is acquired, and most adults find themselves enjoying tastes they may have avoided in childhood. Some say that whether or not women have stronger sense of taste, they are often less confident in asserting what they taste, and that “men use confidence in lieu of ability.”

Whether supertasters or not, these days, more and more women are fighting their way into the beer industry and leading breweries as brewers and cicerones.

What kind of beer do most women prefer?

There’s nothing unique about women’s taste buds, so the beers women enjoy most are dictated by their personal tastes the same way they are for anybody else.

Which beers are considered girly?

There’s no such thing as girly beers.

Traditionally, however, there are certain beers that are marketed primarily toward women. Sweet beers, such as those that are meant to invoke desserts, and fruity beers may be considered more feminine, but there’s no specific reason other than marketing for this to be true.

Ciders, hard seltzers, and other beer-adjacent beverages may be seen as less manly, but that doesn’t make them any less alcoholic or legitimate.

Should ladies look for sweet or ‘beginner’ beers?

When beer snobs talk about “beginner beers,” they’re often talking about beers with bold flavors, high ABVs, and/or unique ingredients. This gatekeeping is totally unnecessary, as the best types of beers for anyone to try are those that are most similar to other beverages they enjoy.

Women (and men) who love rich, leathery red wines or martinis will love some of the more complex beers that some consider “too advanced” for casual beer drinkers.

The best beers for ladies and women to try in 2023

There’s no such thing as “beer for women,” but it is culturally more likely for college-age guys to throwback red Solo cups full of draft beer until they get used to the taste. Young women, on the other hand, may feel more comfortable declaring they don’t care for the taste and reach for fruity vodka shots instead.

When looking for beer styles you’ll actually enjoy, try starting with other beverages you like and exploring from there. Beer comes in an astonishing array of flavor profiles so there’s one for just about everyone.

Whether you like super boozy drinks or delicate teas, there’s a beer here for you.

For red wine drinkers

There are nearly as many types of red wine as there are beers, and luckily there’s a beer for just about every taste preference.

Whether you like full-bodied leathery reds or lighter, fruitier ones, you may be surprised at how well the following beer styles match your taste preferences.

Belgian Dubbel

Tasting Notes: Dubbels are malty with fruity, cocoa, and yeasty notes, making them similar to Pinot Noirs.
ABV: 6.3-7.6%
Bitterness: 20-35 IBUs
Beers to try: Westmalle Trappist Dubbel, Allagash Double, Unibroue Maudite

Flanders Red Ale

Tasting Notes: Flanders Red Ales are characterized by their long fermentation period in oak barrels, making them very similar to oak-aged red wines. They also boast leather and dark red flavor notes.
ABV: 4.8-6.6%
Bitterness: 5-18 IBUs
Beers to try: Rodenbach Grand Cru, Brewery Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne, New Belgium La Folie

American Porter

Tasting Notes: American Porters are distinctly medium-bodied and caramelly with less smokey flavors than their Baltic counterparts.
ABV: 7-12%
Bitterness: 35-50 IBUs
Beers to try: Anchor Porter, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, Yuengling Brewery Black & Tan

For white wine drinkers

Many white wines are characterized by their effervescence, green apple crispness, and light body.

Depending on what types of white wine you enjoy, there’s definitely a beer for you.

Saison

Tasting Notes: Bubbly and light with a slight funkiness, saisons are especially great for fans of sparkling white wine and champagne.
ABV: 4.4-6.8%
Bitterness: 20-38 IBUs
Beers to try: Creature Comforts Eukaryote, The Lost Abbey Red Barn, Brasserie Dupont Saison Dupont

German Pilsner

Tasting Notes: Light and well-balanced, German Pilsners are extremely drinkable and reminiscent of grassier white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.
ABV: 4.6-5.3%
Bitterness: 25-50 IBUs
Beers to try: Victory Prima Pils, Samuel Adams Noble Pils, Half Acre Pony

Vienna Lager

Tasting Notes: Malty sweetness is balanced by the slightest hint of roast from very lightly toasted malts in this classic, easy-drinking style. Its fruity notes and refreshing quality are akin to fruity, richer white wines like Rieslings.
ABV: 4.5-5.5%
Bitterness: 22-28 IBUs
Beers to try: Negra Modelo, Great Lakes Brewing Eliot Ness, Sierra Nevada Vienna

For coffee drinkers

The roasty notes of coffee are reflected in any beer style that utilizes toasted malts. There are also beers that are brewed with coffee beans themselves.

Coffee Beer

Tasting Notes: Coffee beers encompass any style of beer that utilizes brewed coffee or coffee beans in its recipe. These are most often stouts and porters but could be any style of beer.
ABV: 5-8%
Bitterness: 15-45 IBUs
Beers to try: Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Stout, Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout, Duck-Rabbit Schwartzbier

Baltic Porter

Tasting Notes: Baltic Porters utilize toasted malts for those roasted coffee flavors, but also lager yeast for stone fruit flavor similar to naturally processed coffee beans.
ABV: 7.6-9.3%
Bitterness: 35-40 IBUs
Beers to try: Smuttynose Baltic Porter, Dovetail Brewery Baltic-style Porter, Dust Bowl Brewing Public Enemy

American Black Ale

Tasting Notes: Light in body with toasted malts, caramel sweetness, and relatively high hop bitterness.
ABV: 6-7.5%
Bitterness: 50-70 IBUs
Beers to try: Firestone Walker Wookey Jack, 21st Amendment Back in Black, Lagunitas NightTime

For vodka drinkers

Vodka itself doesn’t have a strong flavor, it mostly adds alcohol content to any cocktail it’s in.

This alcohol may have a slight sting or booziness you can feel in your nose. As a result, vodka drinkers may enjoy high-gravity beers.

Imperial IPA

Tasting Notes: Stronger than a standard American IPA, Imperial IPAs boast even more hop flavor and bitterness, often with a slight burn from the higher alcohol content.
ABV: 7.6-10.6%
Bitterness: 65-100 IBUs
Beers to try: Surly Furious, Russian River Brewing Company Pliny the Elder, Bell’s Brewery Hopslam

Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Tasting Notes: With a slight funkiness from the Belgian yeast used within, Belgian-style Golden Strong Ales are also fruity and light.
ABV: 7-11%
Bitterness: 20-50 IBUs
Beers to try: North Coast Brewing Pranqster, Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn Local 1, 12Degree Brewing Treachery

Belgian Quadrupel

Tasting Notes: Malty, carmelly sweetness, with a light body comparable to its high alcohol content.
ABV: 7.2-11.2%
Bitterness: 25-50 IBUs
Beers to try: Allagash Four, Boulevard Brewing The Sixth Glass, Russian River Brewing Salvation

For fruity cocktail drinkers

If you love fruity cocktails or just fruit juice in general, there are plenty of beer styles brewed with fruit.

There are also lots of beers that are complemented by the addition of fruit juice, or a twist of orange, lemon, or lime.

Fruit Beers

Tasting Notes: Fruit beers can be brewed with just about any type of fruit juice or fruit puree, resulting in everything from sweet to sour notes.
ABV: 5-7%
Bitterness: 15-20 IBUs
Beers to try: Short’s Soft Parade, Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin, 21st Amendment Brewery Hell or High Watermelon

Wheat Beers

Tasting Notes: Low bitterness with banana, clove, and/or citrus flavors up front. They range from light and effervescent to creamy in body.
ABV: 4-5.5%
Bitterness: 15-30 IBUs
Beers to try: Bell’s Oberon, Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale, 3 Floyds Gumballhead

Citrus IPAs

Tasting Notes: Many brewers are packing their IPAs with orange juice to balance out the bitterness of the hops within. These beers can be quite refreshing and reminiscent of certain fruit cocktails.
ABV: 4-8%
Bitterness: 15-30 IBUs
Beers to try: Ska Modus Mandarina IPA, Stone Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA, Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

For kombucha drinkers

Kombucha is defined by its yeasty funkiness and fruity sweetness.

As a fermented beverage just like beer, there are plenty of beer styles that mimic these characteristics.

Lambics

Tasting Notes: Brewed with wild yeast, lambics are funky, sour, and sometimes sweetened with fruit.
ABV: 4-8%
Bitterness: 9-23 IBUs
Beers to try: Funk Factory Geuzeria Frampaars, Allagash Coolship Red, Brasserie Cantillon Gueuze

Berliner Weisse

Tasting Notes: A lower-alcohol version of a lambic, Berliner Weisses are also sour and funky like their lambic counterparts.
ABV: 2.8-3.8%
Bitterness: 3-8 IBUs
Beers to try: Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse, 3 Floyds Center Square, Live Oak Berliner Weisse

Flanders Red Ale

Tasting Notes: Funky but brown or red in color, with oak notes from long fermentation in oak barrels.
ABV: 4.8-6.6%%
Bitterness: 5-18 IBUs
Beers to try: Brewery Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne, Russian River Supplication, New Belgium La Folie

For tea drinkers

Some beers are brewed with tea itself, while others are brewed with spices, honey, and other ingredients associated with a nice cup of tea.

Tea Beer

Tasting Notes: Beers infused with teas like green tea, black tea, Earl Grey, and herbal tea will pick up the flavors of the teas they’re brewed with.
ABV: 5-9%
Bitterness: Low bitterness
Beers to try: Milwaukee Brewing Company O-Gii, Marz Jungle Boogie, Dogfish Head Sah’tea

Spiced Ale

Tasting Notes: Traditional ale smoothness, often enhanced by the flavor of whatever spice(s) with which it was brewed. Spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg are often used.
ABV: 4.5-7.5%
Bitterness: 20-40 IBUs
Beers to try: Brooklyn Brewery Bel Air, Southern Tier 2XMAS, Revolution Brewing Rosa Hibiscus Ale

Honey Beer

Tasting Notes: Any lager or ale brewed with honey results in a mild honey-like sweetness in the final flavor. Other ingredients like fruit and spices are sometimes used.
ABV: 5-10%
Bitterness: 20-40 IBUs
Beers to try: Genesee Specialty Honey Brown, Dogfish Head Midas Touch, Creature Comforts Booger Hill

If you already love beer!

Here are a few rare and unique beer styles if you feel like you’ve tried everything:

Kellerbier

Tasting Notes: Light and peppery with a subtle malty sweetness, often with a dry finish.
ABV: 4.8-5.4%
Bitterness: 25-40 IBUs
Beers to try: Hacker Pschorr Münchner Kellerbier Anno 1417, Summit Brewing Company 30th Anniversary Kellerpils, Metropolitan Brewing Heliostat

Gose

Tasting Notes: Tart and fruity with low bitterness and slight saltiness.
ABV: 4.2-4.8%
Bitterness: 5-12 IBUs
Beers to try: Anderson Valley Gose, Upright Gose, Destihl Here Goes Nothin’

Oyster Stout

Tasting Notes: Rich, smoky chocolaty flavors like a typical stout, with briny oyster flavor coming from either oyster juice or whole oysters.
ABV: 5-8%
Bitterness: 10-35 IBUs
Beers to try: Flying Dog Pearl Necklace, Henhouse Oyster Stout, Abita Bad Mother Shucker