Advice for New BeerAdvocates

1) Same goes for a style - don't write one off just because you don't like a few examples. Palates can change very suddenly.
2) When trying a new beer make sure to take it slow. Don't dive in and start sipping until you have a good sense of the aroma.
3) Don't buy a six pack of something unless you know you like it. I've been burned a few times on that.
4) People say to let your beer warm up to proper temp before trying it. I say try it at a range of different temps and see what you think. I've found I like certain beers more when they're cooler than recommended.
5) If you like hoppy beers, either buy ones with dates (bottled-on or drink-by) or local ones, which are more likely to be fresh.

Most importantly, enjoy! Otherwise there's no point.

 

Three words- Beers. of. Fame. That is- if you are going to reference a list at all. There is plenty of wonderful beer right under your nose, and that's the perfect place to get started. Most of the 'classics' are still easily acquired.

I'd also try not to spread myself too thin. Make like Hopetown Lewis and "Take it Easy"- no need to hurry. Or stress. Focus on a style or two for a while, get how it's more of a range than a specific ideal, and then figure out what aspects you both like and dislike within that range. Then you can gauge your purchases going forward, and move on to different styles as you go along.

 

Don't think of yourself as a BA. Don't have beer goals. Don't tick. Just be a guy who loves beer and can deal with situations that aren't devised with beer folk in mind. Be able to have a glass of wine. Don't hold contempt for those who don't drink what you drink. And most importantly, look back on this thread with shame

 

Relax. Enjoy. Use this site for the awesome reference that it is, but don't rely on anyone else for your opinion.

 

Don't feel obligated to like something because others keep recommending it, and don't be ashamed that your tastes are different. Don't be afraid to try new things, but if it's not for you, it's not for you. Beer is meant to be enjoyed, not choked down.

Oh, and hydrate, the number one rule for all alcohol consumption haha. Cheers!

 

Enjoy the experience and don't take it too seriously.

 

It's not a competition. There's common beer, better beer, beer worth actively seeking out, and (sometimes) world-class beer to be found most anywhere you go. So go...travel...and find those places -- and drink the beers. Most likely the ones you grow to love will fall into each of these categories. And that is the only "ranking" system you'll ever need.

 

Learn which stores and shops in your area are cheaper or more expensive. If you see a beer you want at one store try another store and they may have the same beer for a dollar cheaper or whatever. I havent been to every liquor store in my town but if I want a specific beer I know where to get it and for the best price.

 

By all means, love hops, but hone your palate on less aggressively hoppy styles as well. There are many, many tasty pilseners, Oktoberfests, and other lagers. Learn what these taste like too.

 

Lots of folks talk about aging beer on BA. By all means stash a few bottles to learn first hand. But the vast majority of beer is best consumed young. So don't fill up your basement until you have some experience with cellaring.

 

Simply put, think globally, drink locally. Support your local brewery/brewpub. There will always be a better beer. If you believe in luck, it might just be found down the street. And the best advice of all, enjoy the journey.

 

Great advice.

 

Don't waste your money on Rogue beers
#obligatory Rogue dis

 

Excellent advice here. I've only been here for about a year and a half, so I don't know if I'm qualified to say anything, but my biggest piece of advice is this:

Listen to these guys. Listen to the guys who have more experience than you. Practice humility. If I hadn't listened to BA veterans, I would be a walez-grubbing, ticking, hype-driven sumbitch. Seriously, these guys are awesome, and their guidance is even more awesome.

 

Start trading if you hate money.

 

Return to styles that you thought you didn't like at first and had given up on.

Wait until your wallet is fat before you take this advice with sours, though.

 

The intensity of the flavors in a beer does not equal the quality of the beer.

 

I agree with what's been posted above, I am also new here and feel way behind the 8-ball when it comes to the beer spectrum. I'm fortunate in that I live in one of the craft beer "hubs" and have a lot of great choices locally that I'm learning. For me it is all about expanding the palate, tasting all kinds of varieties right now. So I can feel like I can talk intelligently about Beer.

Just remember, opinion is just that opinion. Don't get all up tight if someone has a different one, it is what makes the world go around. For instance, I cut my eye teeth on Pilsner's in Germany many many years ago. I have zero use for IPA's, taste like I'm drinking a bottle of perfume. They do zero for me. My opinion, not shared by a lot of folks here, but that's ok.

 

It's amazing how much palates really do change after a while. A couple years ago, I was not the least bit fond of IPAs and completely hated barleywines. Now I'm living in a much different world...