Still trying to find my way....

Sierra Navada Nooner and Troegs Sunshine Pils. Both nice crisp, refreshing beers. Enjoy.

 

Go to your local breweries have flights of different styles to figure out the styles you enjoy the most..after that target that style of beer across multiple breweries.

 

Start with reds/ambers, soon enough Oktoberfest styles

 

Great place to start on both counts.

Also, since Southern Tier gets distributed to Tennessee @Jericho7x might also want to keep an eye out for their fall seasonal Harvest Ale. It's an ESB, and should be exactly what you're looking for. Too bad you don't get Anderson Valley, because their ESB and Amber would also be up your alley. Caldera's Amber might be worth a shot if you could find them, though.

 

Basically, we can lead you to ruin...

To me, this is a tough question. I think the best answer was given. Flights are a great way to try things out and not spend a ton of cash. Mixed six packs are a good option as well. I don't know about TN, but up in my area lots of stores do tastings of a brewery's lineup or a distributor will do it for them.

It is so much trial and error because everyone's tastes differ. I'd suggest a look at the beer styles page here and look for flavors and taste profiles you might like. Also look for the written reviews of candidates. Or just wing it and try different things until you find what clicks for you.

Don't give up on a style, either. Just because you don't like one example of a pale ale doesn't mean you won't like another, for instance. Sometimes the revelation just hits. I was not a huge fan of hoppy beers. I tried Stone Ruination for the heck of it and the game changed, and Ruination is something of a palate shredder. So you never know what beer is going to provide the "ah-ha" moment.

But the research sure is fun! Fear no beer, try as many styles and Brewers as you can, don't give up on a style after one experience. Don't feel compelled to like something just because a bunch of BA's do...it's your taste buds and your wallet.

And oh yeah...enjoy the beer. If it becomes a chore, it sure isn't much fun and beer is supposed to be fun.

 

Hello neighbor,

Not sure which part of Tennessee you're in, but there are several local brewries in the area. Especially in Nashville. You may want to start there. Blackstone, and Fat Bottom are a couple of my favorites. However, It all depends on what you like. Additionally, I would check your local bottle shops, liquor stores, and even grocery stores for the selection, and try new beers. Lastly, if you click on "places" at the top of the page, and select Tennessee, you may find that you have some breweries or bottle shops near you. I am no expert by any means, but I am learning what I do and don't like. Hope you enjoy the journey.

 

I would just recommend trying everything you can get your hands on. Develop your taste for flavors and enjoy.

Once you have your feet a little more in, go back and try beers you didn't like again. When I was doing that I started noticing beers I had ticked with lower scores were actually a bit better than I had remembered, especially the earlier ones. Unfortunately that also means that some of the beers that you think are amazing at the beginning, you go back to have them again, and they are not quite as good the second time around.

 

I find this to be so true.
I am finding huge differences in my opinion of a few beers that i am retrying these days.
As others have said, try as many beers as you can get your hands on, and don't write off a style because of one or two beers that you don't care for.
Trying new beer is a big part of the fun of craft beer.

 

Aren't we all.

 

Try a Heady...

 

It's really hard to say because everyone's preference is different. Like other members had mentioned, I would create a 6-pack of different beers that sound appealing to you.

I would also take a look at Tennessee's Top Beers (http://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/state/tn/). Although most are probably IPA's, which I'm assuming would be too "sharp" for your taste, there are probably some great Lagers and "lighter" beers that you'll enjoy.

Good luck with your search! Cheers!

 

before I got into craft about 10 years ago I drank a local IPA, DFH 60 minute. I thought it was the most bitter, hoppiest liquid ever. Now, from an IPA standpoint, I think it is overly malty. Your tastes will change over time. Just keep drinking.

 

You're addressing this question to people who have had thousands of beers and are still trying to find "that one." There are a lot of philanderers in this crowd.

You're getting lots of good advice already. If you are looking for a single beer to become your new regular, I'd suggest that you limit your search to beers that are year round, come in six packs, and are readily available in your area with good turnover.

Try to find a store that lets you just buy one beer out of a six pack, and then try an Anchor Steam (but look into the date code system on the Anchor website and don't buy the beer if it's over half a year old).

 

Yeah i came here to say pretty much this. Just keep trying beers. If you don't like a style don't be afraid to revisit it later because your taste will change and you'll miss out on a lot of great beer if you completely give up on a style too early.

 

try a saison, or a fruit lambic, or even a belgian pale ale

 

So maybe there is some love for a moderate hop flavor. You can try other pale ales, and watch which ones use which hops so that you might determine which hops you like. If you still don't feel a strong appreciation for hoppy beers, then go with the ambers/reds, browns, porters and stouts. Here is a list of styles, and the descriptions may give you some help about flavors to help guide you. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/

A good gateway beer is Bell's Oberon. See if you can find it and give it a try.

 

you are right, bell's oberon is delicious

 

TBH, what you think turns you off now is totally different from what will turn you off in the future.

I used to hate IPAs as being these stupid, bitter, piney beers that nobody had any time for... now I'm waiting in line for Other Half to release BEAUTIFUL IPAs. Then, I thought sours were stupid and now I'm drinking Cantillon Classic Gueuze among others! Such a funny hobby...