Trying to get into beer

If you like fruit beers, Samuel Smiths Organic Strawberry Ale is great stuff.

 

Where are you located? Try brew pubs for samplers. Get what is called a flight. Usually 4-5 beers, 3-5 oz. each. For tasting. Bring a friend. Or a beer event/ party/ festival. Start there.

 

Welcome to the site. It can be a great resource once you figure out how to find and use all the information there is here.

e.g.,
At the top of the page where it says "Beers" click on that.

Then where it says "Beer Styles" click on that. You'll get a list of several different styles.

Click on one and read the description that comes up. If it sounds like something you might like to try they are ordered by number of reviews which is also a good indicator of availability.

Pick up one or two in your local bottle shop (if there's one near you) or go looking to see if bars near you have it.

Repeat.

You'll have lots of fun finding and trying new things.

Most of all, enjoy!

 

Welcome to an expensive hobby!
PA has some really great offerings. If you are close to West Chester, check out Iron Hill. They have a few chains around the area and have some really good offerings to suit the newly initiated as well as the seasoned vet. The beer scene in Philly is phenomenal. I rarely go out somewhere and can't find something I wouldn't like. Start in slow with the milds, the pales and the wheats, make your way to the APA and IPA, graduate to stouts and sours.

 

You're 21. Drink Natty light until you black out. Kids these days.

 

Try the Ommegang beers. You will definitely know if you are a Belgian style lover in short order
I got into craft beer because of a Belgian beer, and have yet to find another style that is more pleasurable.

 

get into beer with these guys. probably would learn a lot

 

I say go to the store and buy 1 new beer a week that you have never had before and take it from there. Or if you know a place that does mixed sixers that would be a good start.

Oh, and being 21 I'm sure you are on a budget, don't feel the immediate need to chase rare or expensive bottles (this place will do that to you)

 

I would start with Wheat or Hefewiezen beers first. To me at least, these seem to be the most accessible. Also try and get whatever seasonal is out, it's a good way to get into beer as well. Just some random beer off the top of my head I think you would like are things like dogfish head beers (they have a fruit series you may be into). Don't be afraid to pickup a sam adams variety pack and get used to the different styles (or any other brewery for that matter)

 

HOEGAARDEN IS AVAILABLE PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE AND EXTREMELY EASY TO DRINK. A LITTLE FRUITY/SPICEY BUT NOT OVER POWERING. IMO A GREAT STARTER BEER.

 

About marketing...

 

My suggestion is, don't try to "get" into alcohol.

 

I would suggest trying a few of the mix and match 6 packs. Start in ambers and slowly work toward the more roasted brews like porters before trying imperial anything. Also try some of the nice Belgian beers out there.....Delerium Tremens or Nocturnum is excellent.

I usually ask some simple questions to first timers....favorite drinks...coffee...tea...coke...sprite...mountain dew......then fit a profile of trials based on that. Such info is more than helpful to aid people in discovery. Sprite drinkers for example like a crisper flavor such as a mildly hopped ipa or a good lightly sweet pale ale, and coke drinkers like porters.

So...some base info is needed. Your non alcoholic likes lead one towards their preferences in a VAST unexplored world of the palate.

Cheers....and PS, don't over do it early out, some craft beers can really sneak up on you and hit pretty hard compared to say Bud or Miller.

Cheers

 

Maybe try a German Hefe-Weizen, nice clove and banana flavors, usually not too expensive, available year round...easy drinking

 

Some suggestions for beers to start with?
Good beers but not overpowering.

Pilsner: Primo Pils, Lagunitas Pils
Lager: Brooklyn, Sam Adams
Pale Ale: Saranac, Sierra Nevada
IPA: Founder's All Day
Stout: Guinness
Wheat: Breckinridge Agave

 

Weihenstepnan Hefe-Weisse (Germany)
Spaten Lager (Germany)
Tripel Karmeleit (Belgium)
Victory Prima Pils (Pa)
Wolavers Alta Gracia Coffee Porter (Vermont) I think you'll like this one, really.
Also, try a bunch of different ciders.

 

Gather up some friends.
Locate a taproom in your area that is highly rated by the advocates on this site.
Order some flights.
Have a good time.
You're in.