Cheapest way to try the most beer

I am the baller friend. My friends are all wine guys (my 49er fan friends) or they don't get the quality of good beer (the Raider fan friends).

I'm looking to join one in my area. I'd think that this being San Francisco and Marin county that there are beer cool, unpretentious beer snobs around.

 

Can I be your friend?

 

Not if you're a Sox or Pats fan.

 

Get a part time job at a craft beer bar or Package store. I can't possibly try every beer that's put in front of me

 

Bars that specialize in the craft scene and order flights

 

Flights and bottleshares BOOM

 

This. Since I started my job I have been traveling quite often, and have tried several beers that, quite frankly, due to their "trade value" I never would have even imagined trying to trade for.

Travel. Make friends. Bring something, anything to share. And don't be a dick.

 

Brew it yourself

 

you would be surprised. 2-3 sips is all you need to get a real taste and understanding of a beer.

 

Go to a couple sessions at GABF.

 

Go to as many beer fests as possible. Also.. eat allot beforehand so you can walk out on your own power

 

I'm going to go against what everyone else is suggesting and say SLOW DOWN. You're in college, you're new to craft beer, and you have your whole damn life ahead of you to sample whatever you fancy...don't blow your load now. You don't even know what you like and you damn sure haven't developed your palate to the point that you can truly appreciate alot of these different beers/styles simply with a 12oz serving. You might try an incredible beer, not like it, and write it off forever because your tastes haven't developed enough.

MY ADVICE, as I got into craft when I was in college not too long ago, is to shop smart and start with the cheaper offerings. Usually these are the bigger craft brewers and local stuff. I would suggest buying cheaper bombers, going for 6 packs, and even buying a breweries mixed 12 pack. In my experience, when I was relatively new to craft, I found that I needed to try multiple servings of the same beer to fully pick up and appreciate all the flavors. The first bottle did not taste the same as the last. My fear for you is that you will come home with 12 different beers and only get about 65% enjoyment out of each bottle. After drinking my first IPA I didn't like it, but then I tried another and it was better, and I stuck with it and tried others...now it's my #1 style

 

The key is to have friends that also enjoy beer. It is really simple it multiplies your buying power. Tasting groups are awesome. I'm blessed to have a good mix-6 section at my bottle shop, but more expensive beers don't qualify. Some friends and I will by 3 or 6 six packs and then mix them on our own so that we each walk away with 1 or 2 bottles of 3 or 6 varieties.

 

Steal a beer truck!

 

flights.

 

Yeah. Flights at breweries and craft bars and mixed 6 packs are available at many stores. Frys/Kroger has them as well as Total Wine and, to a lesser extent, BevMo.

 

Are you familiar with the Irish Sausage?

 

I think an organized beer fest/tasting would be your best bet. One cost, try as many as you care for. This is where I look for upcoming events!

http://beeradvocate.com/events/calendar/2012/12