New to brew?

1 Nonalcoholic beers
Even if they can’t get you drunk, these pale lagers are real beer—they’ve just had their alcohol content zapped via a vacuum-evaporation process that happens at the end of brewing. But drink a case and you might feel something; trace amounts (less than 0.5%) of alcohol linger.
Usual suspects O’Doul’s, Sharps
Our favorites Buckler (Green Eye Lounge, 2403 W Homer St, 773-227-8851), Erdinger Hefe Weizen (Delilah’s, 2771 N Lincoln Ave, 773-472-2771)

2 Pilsner
This Czech style takes its name from the city of Pilsen. The translucent beers are usually straw to golden in color, and have a spicy floralness in flavor and smell. German pilsners tend to have more hop bitterness; ditto for American pils, but these have a bit more malty sweetness.
Usual suspects Pilsner Urquell, Beck’s
Our favorites Pinkus Ur Pils Organic Pilsner (Crust, 2056 W Division St, 773-235-5511), Victory’s Prima Pils (Quenchers, 2401 N Western Ave, 773-276-9730)

3 Dortmunder/export
This pale lager is a clean, balanced beer with a biscuity taste and good carbonation. Originally, dortmunder was brewed in two strengths: the lighter lagerbier and a stronger export. The former fell out of favor and disappeared, the latter got its name because it was intended to be exported to surrounding regions.
Usual suspects Pabst’s Special Export, “33” Export
Our favorites Two Brothers Dog Days (The Gage, 24 S Michigan Ave, 312-372-4243), Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold (Lemmings, 1850 N Damen Ave, 773-862-1688)

4 Bock
The Germans came up with this potent, belly-warming style back in medieval days to help them survive rough winters. The caramelly, malty beers range in color from amber to chocolate. In Germany, they’re often classified as helles (“light”) or dunkel (“dark”). Doppelbock means “doublebock” and is even stronger, but eisbock is the strongest of all bocks.
Usual suspects Shiner Bock, Michelob Amber Bock
Our favorites Einbecker Ur-Bock (The Map Room), Aventinus Eisbock (Delilah’s)

5 Schwarzbier
Don’t let these German “black beers” fool you—while they’re as dark as crude oil, the lagers are quite light-tasting compared to beers like stout, and you won’t get the bitter coffee flavors associated with dark beers. Instead, any sharpness comes from the hops, making for a beer that’s bright and easy to drink, but still complex.
Usual suspects There aren’t any common examples of this outside Germany.
Our favorites Sprecher’s Black Bavarian (Handlebar Bar & Grill), Mönchsof (The Bluebird, 1749 N Damen Ave, 773-486-2473)