Somewhat new to craft, need recommendations

i would also advise that you avoid the temptation to "get into" a style. if you already know you don't like coffee then trying to get into stouts or porters could just be a huge waste of money, time, and calories. tastes change over time so trying to like a style now might not work. in 4 years you might be a huge stout fan but that is going to come with the natural changing of your tastebuds over time. you can't force these things and i see many many many posters who seem to try to be forcing themselves to like a style. i can tell you that the first time i tried a sour ale i absolutely hated it and drain poured it without a second though. fast forward 3 years and i began to love sour ales. they are still one of my favorite styles. i didn't try to force myself to like sour ales it was just a natural side effect of my taste buds and mindset changing through time.

 

This might be some of the best advice I've seen in the "help a newbie" threads. Variety is what makes beer so enjoyable...you don't have to stick to one thing. And it wouldn't matter if it is IPA's, stouts, or any other style - overdoing it they kind of take on a "sameness", but that's my opinion. Everybody's different and that's cool, but I think this piece of advice right here is spot on along with the follow up. It's all trial and error, and if there's nothing else there's LOTS of beahs out there - no limits, try this, try that, revisit styles and individual beers, have a few faves. Most importantly, have fun and don't get caught up in stressing over the "gotta haves".

 

Is Swami IPA available in Florida?

 

You gotta try Bourbon County!

 

Anywhere close to Kane? They have some amazing brews there. Head High is a fantastic IPA.

 

Invasion Pale Ale is pretty darn solid since others suggested Jai Alai already.

 

OP, your original post referenced KBS. But I believe that @rojapa was referring to regular (if that's the right word) Founders Breakfast Stout (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/11757/). The two aren't exactly the same beer. People often think that FBS is the base beer for KBS, but Founders actually brews a slightly different beer just for KBS.

However, they are close enough that trying some FBS first may allow you to better appreciate that KBS of yours. Others may tell you differently, but my experience has been to not save that KBS for too long. After too much time, the beer may lose some of the coffee flavor for which it is known. (By this point in the season, even FBS has probably begun to lose a little coffee flavor. But it does allow other flavors to come forward.)

It's your choice to be sure. But I'd recommend having that KBS on a special occasion soon and not saving it for a special occasion in the distant future. I'd hate to see you not experience the best that beer has to offer. Again, just my opinion.

I'm primarily a stout drinker, so I'll defer to others when it comes to IPAs.

 

You should definitely try :
North coast Old Rasputin
Lagunitas sucks!
Oskar Blues Deviant Dales
Victory Dirt wolf
Lagunitas Lil' sumpin sumpin
Southern choklat/ mokah
Anything Firestone Walker makes
Stone enjoy by
Anything from Maine beer co. (Although their stuff is super pricey)
Perennial Sump
Any of the bourbon county shizz

Those are my best suggestions, considering what you've said you really like thus far.
I'd suggest tryin some classic Belgians... Saison DuPont, chimay ect.
Just try anything and everything craft and enjoy!! Cheers!

 

Sure thing. Believe me, you probably could trade that KBS for something nice if IPAs are more your thing. On the other hand, it's a great beer that's always worth trying.

KBS won't go bad, if that's what you mean. Beer doesn't "spoil"--not in that way, at least--so my apologies if I wasn't clear. What I do mean is that certain adjuncts, particularly coffee, tend to fade over time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it allows the base beer to become more pronounced. But for some drinkers, the adjuncts are what make the beer so special in the first place. When it comes to KBS, I'm not sure there is a consensus on whether it's better fresh or aged. But I tend to fall in the "drink fresh" camp.

Ten FIDY is a Russian Imperial Stout, which is a completely different animal. Most traditional RISs are brewed without adjuncts, so the flavor is based almost solely on the malts, hops, yeast, and resulting alcohol. Cellaring over time usually smooths out some of the rough edges of these beers while allowing some of the complexities to come forward a bit more. I believe that Ten FIDY ages well, and I think many people would agree. Whether consumed fresh or cellared, it's a fine beer.

 

If you're new to craft beer and have a KBS in your hands, keep it! Although you don't really like coffee, you may be kicking yourself in a few months for getting rid of it. This year's KBS isn't as coffee forward, and if you hold on to it for a bit, any coffee flavor it has will start to fade. You may find yourself enjoying heavy stouts at some point!

If you like Ten Fidy, try Founder's Imperial Stout and Bell's Expedition Stout. I recommend letting those beers sit for a few months and then cracking them open. They get better with time.

As far as DIPA's, Stone Enjoy By is great and pretty easy to get. I also recommend Terrapin Hopzilla and Great Divide Hercules - they're both more on the malty side. Enjoy!

 

Ah good call, even better!

 

I don't know if you can find it but Sea Hag is really good by New England Brewing Company. I haven't had anything else by them but there other beer is really highly regarded. And Founders Breakfast Stout, my favorite stout hands down

 

Since you like IPA's but probably don't want to burn out, I'd try some variations -- maybe some black IPA's/Cascadians (somebody mentioned FW Wookey Jack, I would just look for a highly rated one you can find) or Rye beers like Founders Red's Rye or Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye. Also consider trying some APA's like Maine Mo or FW Pale 31. I would just try to taste a variety.

 

Since you're new to craft beer, you might get some benefit from perusing the section called "Beer Styles" under "Beer" at the top of the page. There also are some fine short essays in Beer 101. You'll note that there is a style called "American Double/Imperial Stout" under American ales and a style called "Russian Imperial Stout" under English ales.

Generally, what separates these two styles is the use of adjuncts in American Double Stouts that are less common in Russian Imperial Stouts. Barrel aging and special versions muddy the waters quite a bit, to be sure. But that is a primary difference between the two.

One other tip: The big double IPAs may be great drinking, but be sure to have a (regular) IPA or Pale Ale every now and then. Sometimes you need to hit the reset button when drinking extreme beer. Your palate may very well thank you.

 

If you love these beers you have great taste immediately .Most beginners of craft beers do not off the bat because they have been drinking incredibly awful s..t all these years .You my friend do not need recommendations.You must love hoppy beer and have great taste in beer.I have had all of these beers and believe me I would venture to say those of us who are into the craft beer movement will agree you are a bonafide craft beer afficianodo.Fantastic choices you have made.You my friend are a hophead as am I and it took me a couple of years to appreciate most of the choices you made.On that note I will give you my recommendations to expand your horizans.

Dirtwolf-Another great and for the price point incredible Double IPA
Vitus-Weizenbock-the best beer in the world for price point and taste,abv.Fantastic stuff
Dortmunder Gold-Fantastic lager
Celabrator- dopplebock that all are compared to
La Fin Du Monde-a triple that is always stocked and can compete with any Belgian Triple Incredible stuff

None too expensive. All fantastic. All different