Is there some sort of list out there for the base beer for a style? What's would be your list? My brother is getting into craft so each time I see him I try to bring some different styles to try. I'd like some idea of the most ideal one to try for each style. The reason I ask, I gave him some bourbon county and it was a bit too much for him. Would like to have had a base bourbon aged beer for him to try first, so he wouldn't avoid bourbon barrel beers. Should be interesting to see what beers people define as representing a style. Would also be fun to set up a tasting event with each (main)style being representing the base taste behind each beer in that style.
That's a good question, and I'll give my input in a moment. But first I'd like to address something, and maybe it's your wording: If he doesn't like BCBS, I'm not sure any other BBA stout is going to be easier on his palate. Yes, it's huge, but it's unbelievably smooth, even fresh. I honestly think any other BBA stout is going to be worse for him, not better; others may disagree, but I'd be curious to see what BBA stout they might think is easier for a novice to appreciate. As far as base beers representative of a style, that's different perhaps than a recommendation for a novice (and not to be pointed, but those threads are out there; they're quite long, as it turns out we BAs have a lot of differing opinions on which beers are most representative of certain styles). So I leave you with one recommendation: Founders Imperial Stout. It is a remarkably well done stout, quite representative of the R/AIS style. However, I also recommend it for a secondary reason: this is the kind of big body, high alcohol stout that might better prepare someone for a BBA stout. Make sure he knows what makes a good stout first, and then the bourbon barrel is a secondary characteristic that he may or may not come to enjoy. Cheers, good luck, and enjoy the journey. Worst case? He never ends up liking BCBS, which means: more for you!
There'll be a ton of opinions coming out here. But, the benchmarks set by these two should be your key GABF World Beer Cup
When I have introduced people to craft beer I remember the beers I initially drank that got me interested. I look back to stuff like Fat Tire, Oberon, SNPA, Anchor Porter, Anchor Steam, Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen, Stone IPA, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Brown, etc. Keep it simple. If you introduce somebody right off with a BBA RIS, they most likely will be turned off and not want to give craft beer another chance again anytime soon. P.S. all those beers are still amazing to me today after palate evolution.
This is a great starting point. Didn't think to look for this. Although some of these may not be the best representation of a style but rather a good variation of it. Actually just picked up 12 of these, so this works quite well! But anyway, yeah I took into consideration he may not like or ever like that style, but I figured BC may be too much too soon. There could be a tamer one out there I don't know about.
Go to the beer style menu. If you click on it it gives you examples sorted by how many reviews. I would think that using that and the ratings you can get an idea of BA's favorite of that style. Not exactly the same as idyll base, but close.
Since joining BA I've let the style lists sorted by number of reviews guide me. Thus far I have not been led astray. I figure that the reason they have been reviewed so many times has to do with both their quality and how they represent the style.
