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Find your beer with our flavour profiles

A quick guide to beer

IGA has made it easy with flavour profiles created by renowned Québec beer expert Philippe Wouters.

Philippe Wouters

A beer to suit everyone’s taste

Do you like your beer blonde, red or brown? Full-bodied, smooth, or bitter?

And do you have trouble deciding which beer to choose from the hundreds of options available at IGA?

Philippe Whouters has created Flavour Profiles to help you identify your own personal taste profile and discover a whole new world of beers, eah more surprising and delightful than the next. Learn how to perfectly pair beef and food, organize a fun tasting, or simply find the right brew to cap off you evening. It’s easier than you think!

A quick guide to beer

Match colours with sensations

Beer tasting is also about experiencing different sensations. Colour may give you clues as to a beer’s flavour and aroma, but analyzing what you feel when you drink it helps you define its character.

Each beer is identified in store with its flavour profile. Look for yours!

Your color + Your sensation = Your flavor profile

Choose a color

White

May have light bready or grainy notes.

Blonde

May have light bready or grainy notes.

Amber

May have light to strong caramelly and toasty notes.

Red

May have light to strong caramelly and toasty notes.

Brown

May have notes of chocolate, roasted grain, sugar, vor molasses.

Black

May have roasted, coffee, or wheat notes.

Fruity

May impart fruity notes.

Choose a sensation

Smooth

Smooth

Little to no bitterness.

Bitter

Bitter

Mild to medium bitterness.

Sharp

Sharp

More pronounced bitterness.

Acidic

Acidic

Light, refreshing acidity.

Tart

Tart

More striking acidity.

Full-bodied

Full-bodied

A balanced beer with no bitterness.

Sweet

Sweet

A syrupy sensation with no bitterness.

Spicy

Spicy

A piquant beer, usually from black or hot pepper.

Smoky

Smoky

Distinct smoky flavours.

Choose your glass

Philippe Wouters

Stange

Designed for smooth beers with subtle aromas.

Philippe Wouters

Hops

Perfect for bitter of sharp beers.

Philippe Wouters

Tulip

Used for full-bodied, sweet, or smoky beers.

Philippe Wouters

Flute

Brings out the flavour of acidic, tart, or spicy beers.

Beer pairings

Beer and sushi

Nigiri and sashimi bring out the subtle flavours of the fish. Opt for smooth beers that will refresh you and quench your thirst while at the same time letting the taste of the fish shine trough.

Beer and chips

Forget plain chips – spicy or peppery chips are all the rage right now. Serve them with hoppy beers for a delicious contrast.

Beer and sausage

Hoppy beers cut through the fat of the sausage and release the more subtle flavours in the seasoning. Pair mild sausage with smooth beer and spicy sausage with strong beer.

Beer and food pairings

Maki with smoked salmon and basil from Geneviève Everrel

Prep time 20 minutes

Maki with smoked salmon and basil from Geneviève Everrel

Game night nachos

Prep time 10 minutes

Cook time 15 minutes

Game night nachos

One-pan cheddar & apple sausages

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 35 minutes

One-pan cheddar & apple sausages

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