The Best for the Brits

Think smaller! Pale/Amber/Red Ales and the like, although American in style. Maybe an Oatmeal Stout like Ipswitch, Mayflower Porter...stuff like that.

 

Jack Abby's brews do it for me, splits the difference. I would think they want to experience different stuff, things they can't get. They can drink familiar back home so lay the HT on them.

 

Take em out to some places where u can get fresh American cask ale (their bread and butter) and U.S. Craft. If you are near Boston -- hit redbones in Davis sq or CBC in Kendall sq. Many other options - check out one of the "cask ale in Boston" threads. Super range of beers w many being cousins/sisters/uncles to the beers they are familiar-- then ease them into a nightshift morph or a ballast point sculpin....give em a tast of how we've coop'd the a style they invented...

 

I'd say just make the trip up to Hill Farmstead and blow their minds.

 

Ipswich Ale!

 

Are they beer geeks?

 

Colonel Blides Cask Ale - Cricket Hill Brewing Co

 

I mean I'm British and a beer geek. I'd want to try the Heady or the beers you like, rather than have you tone things down to what you think I'd like. That's just me though. They'll be able to get better cask / British-style ales back in Britain

 

I think you're missing the boat if you don't at least offer those hop bombs to them. That's what the beer culture is currently in the U.S. They may hate them as overly hoppy bitter bombs but they may also have an eye opening experience. Don't cram it down their throat but have it at the ready.

 

I had a work colleague from UK visiting recently and he wanted to try something uniquely American. I ordered him a green flash west coast ipa and he found the hops overwhelming. Based on this experience I would go with something flavorful but not too hop forward, maybe a Smuttynose robust porter, a good lager, and throw in a BBA stout for something they may not see back home.

 

Then it would be best if you gave us some idea of beers that you know they like.

 

Your going to Bogart the good beer and give them shit beer, I can tell.

 

Maybe they would like something from Notch Brewing?

http://www.notchbrewing.com/beer/

Cheers!

 

When in Rome...

 

I was definitely thinking along the same lines. I just figured that since there are definitely many very American beers at 'normal' gravity (Maine Peeper and Red Wheelbarrow, for a few more examples) then there would be no sense in overwhelming their palates with Imperial Stouts and Barleywines right off the bat.

 

Let them experience the American craft beer world on their own. Take them to a number of places and let them sample the wares and decide what they like. You may be surprised.