In this study, the experimental condition for qualitative analysis of saccharides in beer was optimized by choosing different matrices, including. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB), super DHB, 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone, and setting different beer concentrations from undiluted to 1 000-fold dilution. Results indicated that 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone was better than 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and super DHB in the application of characterizing saccharides in beer by MALDI TOF MS. When the beer sample is diluted 10 times with 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone as matrix, MALDI TOF MS performed well in qualitative analysis of saccharides in beer.