How to Order a Beer at a Bar

Byadmin
How to Order a Beer at a Bar – Cask Theory

Without looking like a knob or getting ripped off

Here’s the reality: Walking up to a craft beer bar can be intimidating as fuck. Sixteen taps, none of which you recognize, a bearded bartender who definitely knows more than you, and a queue of people behind you. The temptation is to just order a Guinness and avoid the whole thing.

This guide will teach you how to order with confidence, ask the right questions, and avoid paying £7 for something you could’ve got for £5 down the road.

1. Scan the Menu First

Before you even approach the bar, look at the beer menu. Most places have it on a chalkboard, on the wall, or on the app. You need 30 seconds to get your bearings.

✓ What to Look For:

  • Style names: IPA, Lager, Stout, Pale Ale, Sour (this tells you what category it’s in)
  • ABV percentage: 4.5% is sessionable, 7%+ will get you tipsy fast
  • Prices: Note the range. £5-6 is standard, £7+ is premium territory
  • Brewery names: Local breweries vs. big names (local is usually fresher)

✗ Don’t Worry About:

  • Understanding every adjective (“Notes of barnyard funk with a whisper of kumquat”)
  • Knowing every brewery
  • Reading hop varieties (Mosaic, Citra, whatever.. doesn’t matter yet)

Pro tip: If the menu has more than 3 adjectives per beer, they’re trying too hard. Good beer doesn’t need a novel to describe it.

2. Narrow It Down to 2-3 Options

You don’t need to analyze everything. Just pick a category based on what you feel like drinking:

Quick Decision Guide:

  • “I want something refreshing” → Lager, Pale Ale, Session IPA (4-5% ABV)
  • “I want something hoppy/bitter” → IPA, West Coast IPA (5.5-7% ABV)
  • “I want something smooth/rich” → Stout, Porter, Amber (5-7% ABV)
  • “I want something weird/different” → Sour, Saison, Brett beer (4-6% ABV)
  • “I want to get drunk efficiently” → Double IPA, Imperial Stout (8%+ ABV)

Circle back to the menu. Which beers in your chosen category look interesting? Pick 2-3 as your shortlist.

Example: You fancy something hoppy. Menu has: “Tropical Haze IPA (6.2%, £6.50),” “West Coast Ripper IPA (6.8%, £6.00),” and “Session IPA (4.5%, £5.50).” Those are your three. Now you’re ready to talk to the bartender.

🚩 Red Flags on a Menu:

  • No ABV listed: They’re hiding something (probably it’s strong and overpriced)
  • No prices visible: Means you’re about to get stung
  • Everything over £7: Unless this is central London or a Michelin pub, someone’s taking the piss

3. Ask Questions (It’s Expected)

Right, you’re at the bar. Bartender’s looking at you. Don’t panic. Asking questions is normal and expected. They’d rather you ask than order something you’ll hate.

✓ Good Questions to Ask:

  • “What’s the difference between [Beer A] and [Beer B]?” (Shows you’ve narrowed it down)
  • “Which one’s more bitter/fruity/smooth?” (Specific and easy to answer)
  • “What’s popular today?” (Gets you their honest recommendation)
  • “Which one’s freshest?” (Important for IPAs especially)
  • “Can I try a taste of that before committing?” (See next step)

✗ Avoid These Questions:

  • “What do you recommend?” (Too vague, they don’t know what you like)
  • “What hops are in this?” (Unless you already know hop varieties, this won’t help you)
  • “Is this good?” (Subjective and puts them on the spot)
  • “What’s your best beer?” (They can’t answer this honestly without insulting other breweries)

Good exchange:

You: “I’m between the Tropical Haze and the West Coast Ripper. Which one’s less bitter?”
Them: “The Tropical Haze is much softer, more fruity. The Ripper will give you that classic bitter finish.”
You: “Perfect, I’ll take the Haze.”

Done. 10 seconds. No bullshit.

Pro tip: If they seem annoyed that you’re asking questions, that’s a shit pub. Good bartenders WANT to talk about beer. Take your money elsewhere.

4. Ask for a Taste (You’re Allowed)

This is the secret weapon most people don’t use. If you’re genuinely undecided between two beers, you can ask for a small taste before ordering. Most craft beer places will do this.

✓ How to Ask:

  • “Can I get a quick taste of the [Beer Name] before I commit?”
  • “Mind if I try the IPA? I’ve not had it before.”
  • “I’m between two.. can I taste the [Beer A] first?”

✗ Don’t:

  • Ask for tastes of 5+ beers (You’re not at a wine tasting, you’re taking the piss)
  • Ask for a taste of Guinness (You know what Guinness tastes like)
  • Expect tastes at Wetherspoons (They don’t do this, don’t ask)

They’ll pour you a small sample. Take a sip. If you like it, order it. If you don’t, politely say “Cheers, but I’ll go with [other option] instead.”

🚩 Red Flag:

If they REFUSE to give you a taste of craft beer (not Guinness or standard lager, but actual craft stuff), that’s a bad sign. Either the pub has a shit policy or they know the beer’s dodgy. Find a better pub.

5. Check the Price Before You Order

This should be obvious, but people skip it and then get annoyed when their pint costs £8. Always know what you’re paying BEFORE you order.

✓ Belfast Beer Price Reality Check:

  • £4.00-£5.00: Standard lager, session beer (Wetherspoons/budget pubs)
  • £5.00-£6.00: Craft lager, pale ale, standard IPA (this is fair)
  • £6.00-£7.00: Hazy IPA, imported craft, double dry-hopped stuff (justified)
  • £7.00-£8.00: Premium/limited releases, imperial stouts, special imports (better be worth it)
  • £8.00+: You’re either in a tourist trap or it’s a barrel-aged unicorn

🚩 When to Walk Away:

  • Standard IPA over £7: Not worth it unless it’s a famous brewery
  • Any lager over £6: You’re paying for location, not quality
  • Mystery pricing: If they won’t tell you the price upfront, leave
  • Half pints priced over 70% of a pint: They’re taking advantage

Example: You’re at a pub. See “Local IPA – £7.50” on the menu. Check Untappd or ask around.. if that same beer is £5.50 down the road, you’re being mugged. Either order something else or go to the other pub.

Pro tip: Use this as a rough guide: A pint should cost about 1000x the ABV in pence. So a 6% beer should be around £6. If you’re paying significantly more, there better be a good reason (rare import, fresh from brewery, etc.).

6. Order It (Clearly and Confidently)

You’ve done your homework. You’ve asked your questions. You’ve checked the price. Now just order the damn beer.

✓ How to Order:

  • “Can I get a pint of the [Beer Name], please?” (Simple, clear)
  • “I’ll have the Tropical Haze IPA, thanks.” (Confident, polite)
  • “Pint of the stout on cask, cheers.” (If you want cask, specify it)

✗ Don’t:

  • “I’ll try the…” (You’re not “trying” it, you’re buying it)
  • “Give me a…” (Sounds demanding, say “Can I get” or “I’ll have”)
  • Mumble the name (They can’t hear you over bar noise, speak up)
  • “Whatever’s good” (You’ve just wasted all the time you spent choosing)

If they pour it and it looks wrong (flat, cloudy when it shouldn’t be, etc.), it’s okay to mention it. “Is this supposed to look like that?” Most bartenders will re-pour if there’s an issue.

7. What If You Hate It?

Alright, you’ve ordered. You take a sip. It’s fucking awful. What now?

✓ If the Beer Is Off (Quality Issue):

  • Tell them immediately: “This tastes off, can you check it?”
  • Be specific if you can: “It tastes sour” or “Smells like vinegar” or “No carbonation”
  • They should replace it or offer you something else
  • If they refuse: That’s a shit pub, don’t go back

✗ If You Just Don’t Like It (Your Taste Issue):

  • Don’t ask for a refund (You chose it, it’s not their fault you don’t like IPAs)
  • Don’t complain loudly (Makes you look like a knob)
  • Drink it or leave it and remember for next time
  • Next round, order something different

How to tell the difference:

  • Off beer: Smells like butter, vinegar, wet cardboard, or sulphur. Tastes noticeably wrong.
  • You just don’t like it: It tastes like beer, just not your style. Too bitter, too sour, too strong, whatever.

Pro tip: If you’re genuinely unsure whether it’s off or you just don’t like it, ask the bartender to taste it. They’ll tell you honestly if something’s wrong with it.

That’s It. You Can Now Order Beer Like a Normal Person.

You don’t need to become a beer expert overnight. You just need to:

  • Know what style you want
  • Ask a couple of questions
  • Check the price
  • Order confidently

Next time someone asks “What do you want?”, you’ll have an actual answer instead of defaulting to Guinness.

The author once spent three minutes umming and ahhing at a craft beer bar before ordering a Guinness. He wrote this guide to feel better about it.. and to save you from the same shame.