Another "how do I get my friend into craft?" thread...

Every one of your points is solid. You've perfectly worded my thoughts completely.

 

I'd recommend Oberon.

 

All Day IPA is very mild w

All Day IPA is mildly hoppy with just a little citrus kick. Try it.

Also maybe try a beer fest. Lots of craft beers to experiment with there.

 

When I first got into craft beer I tried several belgians, but they were pricey. The first company I tried several beers from was deschutes. Everything they make is sessionable and easy to drink. Red chair pale ale is good, as is twilight and their usuals.

 

Lagunitas little sumpin sumpin ale is also a good intro to more complex beers.

 

I don't try to get anyone into craft beer. I do easily get craft beer into my friends and acquaintances, though. Here's how: I don't talk about it until asked. Then I offer a taste, whether at a bar, restaurant, my home, or other's. I drink what I drink, and invariably, someone always inquires. It starts the conversation and goes from there. The old saying, "you can't force anyone to do what they don't want to" holds true for beer drinking. But lead, and they will follow.
Oh, and if the friend doesn't like the taste of what I'm offering, then I know what to suggest what they may like the next time.
Curiosity kills the BMC.

 

You can lead a horse to water,

but you CAN'T make them drink.

That's my philosophy. Good luck

 

Your right wasn't thinking , Landshark Lager has that light Caribbean low Abv citrus beach beer.

 

In the same boat. Nobody I know likes craft beer and everybody I associate with thinks I'm crazy when it comes to my beer expenditures. It is disappointing because as a BA you want to share good beer with good people. Oh well, more beer for me

 

Completely agree. Not many Utopiajanes out there that can start out with a big DIPA (gotta like that style). There is a reason why the Blue Moon and Shock Top offerings have sold so well. Not close in style to lagers and people feel they are "branching out" a bit. A SN Kellerweis or something close is ideal then go from there.

 

Make him drink a 6-er of SNPA by himself. Next night split a 6 pack of 60 minute and then find Heady Topper and don't give him any but tell him it's the best beer in the world...

 

My wife thoroughly enjoys Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager. It's one of the few beers she'll drink.

I have had repeated success with Rogue Dead Guy. *cue anti Rogue rhetoric*

 

Wells banana bread is what got my wife into beer.

 

my friend calls me pretentious for loving craft beer (yuengling/stella is his idea of craft beer), however I split my bottle of 14 parabola with him and now he's trying to out beer me.

 

I'm not called pretentious. I'm just looked at with disgusted, "How can you drink that? It's bitter!" faces.

 

You don't. The boat's too crowded as it is.

 

Last summer my brother in law would only drink Corona with lime and a few German lagers and hefs. Now he's progressed into most all Begians including higher ABV Belgians (quads etc) imperial stouts (Ten Fidy, Resolute etc.) He still won't touch pale ales or IPAs though nor sours. Regardless he's really expanding his pallet. Corona is crap to him now. He'd much rather have a Weihenstephaner (several varieties) or Snapshot, or a Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold which he loves.

 

Just reiterating basically, but many of my friends who are into craft didn't start with IPAs - even session ones seem too bitter for the uninitiated. I say take your friend to a brewpub or bar with a great selection, and try some flights, etc., and let her choices guide you. You might discover a new favorite as well!

 

Just make sure she doesn't start liking whatever you like, especially if it's rare. Like you get one bottle of KBS or Blacknote and suddenly she loves BBA beers? Don't let that happen.