Any advice for a hop averse beer drinker?

Some people just don't enjoy that flavor. You don't have to change what you like/what you are going to buy just because that is the thing these days. Buy and drink beer you like, why waste your money doing anything else?

 

Wine

 

I'd probably suggest drinking more APA's to build a "hop tolerance"

 

Start with more English style IPA's (more balanced to malt forward), an Amber ale, Pale ale or maybe even a session IPA. I know personally when I started drinking craft I was not a fan of IPA's but after having several I grew to love them

 

Drink what you like.

 

My brother dislikes hops, and so far, I haven't seen anything that will really change his mind. Maybe give more tropical hops a try? Citra in particular is a pretty inoffensive one, so you might find that it's only specific types of hops you dislike, and not hops in general.

Also, I don't like black IPAs much, so I just don't drink them. Obviously you can drink what you want, but you just might not like them in general, so I wouldn't stress too much about it.

 

I wouldn't generalize hops as having a "hop flavor." There are many varieties of hops that give off (or produce) many different aromas and smells - whether that be pine, orange, grapfruit, floral, etc...

Different beers also utilize hops differently whether it be creating a more bitter mouthfeel, stronger flavor, or more pungent aroma. So i would drink a variety of beers that showcase the hop in a very strong way and once you find one you like, zero in on the hop variety and brewing process. Then seek out like beers. drink. rinse. repeat.

 

Your hop palate will evolve, trust me. Slowly, but it will evolve and some day you will love hoppy stuff like the rest of us hopheads.

 

I would suggest looking for beers with more malt backbone to add some sweetness and offset the bitter. ESBs come to mind as nice daily drinkers, and some of the more toned down barleywines also are quite big on the hops, but are massive malt bombs to offset.

Also, have you tried specific hop varieties? I am in Chicago, and Zombie Dust is all Citra which I find very different to West Coast style IPAs that are more dank and astringent. Perhaps check out some pale ales and lower IBU IPAs with named hops in them and find one you like?

 

I would actually suggest avoiding some of the session IPAs to be honest. I find many of them to be bitter and watery... Writing 'session IPA' on the label is a pretty good way to make sure I don't buy it these days...

 

It sounds like you already know the answer to this question, but are looking for a shortcut. I'm not sure if such a shortcut exists, and if it does it is probably different for each individual.

I would just drink what you enjoy and try an IPA from time to time.

 

ESB!

 

Agreed. Without the alcohol burn and maltiness to balance it out, it's just like watery hop-juice. Generally a very bitter finish.

 

Since your name is Lordwindowlicker, I'm going to assume you smoke plenty of weed. Smoking weed and drinking beer afterwards will increase the perceived bitterness by 400%. Put the bong away for a day and try a fresh IPA.

Some food also amplifies bitterness to unpleasant levels. Drink then eat.

 

Some good advice above, start with pales then English IPA types and before you know it you'll be chasing the dragon too

 

Really?

Can one of you guys sell me some weed?