Palate question: Beer styles I like or dislike

I've only heard good things about the Weihenstephaner- it's one beer I'm really looking forward to trying this fall. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any German O'fests yet, either.

 

You're half-way to oyster stout with oysters

 

Only referring to Oktoberfest--reading the reviews, it seems to be one of those things that people want to like but can't, so, I suspect, the actual ratings are a bit inflated. And they fall far below Paulaner, Spaten, Ayinger and even SamA. I'll give them a try at some point, but not unless I know for a fact it's current and the price is lower. I said I'll try almost anything, but dropping that money on supposedly mediocre product is not a priority.

 

I wouldn't put too much stock in those ratings, myself. The Weis'n style doesn't seem to get a fair shake around here due to misplaced expectations- people expect the copper Marzen style, and view what they are actually getting through that prism. At this point, and until the pale Weis'n style becomes more accepted, I'd put the numbers off as more 'misunderstood' than 'mediocre'.

Then again- I haven't had the pleasure yet myself, so I'll admit that that would be my own bias going into it. It's nothing that consuming six or so beers won't cure, though. After a few (not necessarily in a row) I generally have a good handle on how I feel about things.

 

I've had oyster stout too...

I do like stouts, just in case you mistook me for the OP.

 

You might try some American barley wines. They can be hoppy like IPAs but have a texture more similar to that of a stout. It might be a good gateway drug. And plus, they are damn good.

 

Just let your palate evolve as you go. Don't force anything.

 

You could work your way up from American black ales... Just a thought.

 

I've been trying for years to appreciate wits and hefeweizens and just can't seem to. Maybe I'll try the full immersion method of buying only one of the styles for a week or something but it ain't going to happen soon.

I've pretty much liked all the other styles I've tried for the 1st time including really hoppy IPAs.

 

so happy you didn't type "palette"

anyway, everyone's different and things click at different times for different people.....and sometimes they don't

i visited cantillon last january in brussels because all of my beer geek friends told me to and i just wasn't feeling sours......about a month ago i decided to get a cuvee des jacobins as part of a flight for shits and giggles and ended up falling in love and have been getting my hands on whatever sours i can find lately.....

 

Yummmm raw oysters.... all day long please!

 

Oyster/Stout shooters are one of the best things in the whole world!

 

Perhaps you're trying too hard. Weizen and Wit at not the same beer and are alike only in that they have wheat in them. I like Witbier because of the way the yeast is used, but it took me many years to warm up to hefeweizen--I just always found them too bitter and not in a pleasant way. And it's not like I was exposed to mostly pale imitations--I was rejecting the full-blooded German versions. But, right now, I'm less interested in German lagers other than hefe and an occasional Pilsner. Still, if they have enough flavor, they're all good. Sours are my next challenge, although some are easier to take than others. I prefer those that are more complex and just old puckers. That may even be a good thing...

 

I don't like funk, I don't like stuff with Brett in it. I really don't like sours either thank god, I'm having trouble with the $ with IPA\s and BA Stouts.

 

I think that my palate has become muted over the years, these beers just don't trigger much of anything in me.

Basically I like really tart and fruity sours, strong dark ales, and stouts. Next IPAs and saisons, and then everything else but wits and hefes.

 

Just drink what you like. Don't think that enjoyment of IPA's and hoppy beers signifies some sort of "graduation" to an advanced level of beer enjoyment, no matter what you hear or read from other beer geeks. It doesn't mean your palate has "matured" or "advanced", as we all have our own tastes. Don't feel discouraged by people who tell you that your tastes have yet to "develop". They're just trying to feel big. There's no such thing as hop enlightenment or beer Nirvana. You like what you like. If you want to try all kinds of things, that's wonderful, and I hope you have a great time exploring what the wide world of beer has to offer. However, if you just want to stick to what you know you like, that's great too, and I hope it's just as fulfilling as exploring eclectic beers is. Even within one style, there's a lot to drink, and you'll never be thirsty.