What was your "revelation" beer?

I'd had a good deal of craft brews over the years but I have to say FW PNC Imperial Buckwheat Stout was THE beer that tossed me into the craft world head first. Was visiting San Fran and a friend of a friend recommended going to this beer bar called Toronado (you may have heard of it ) specifically to try that beer. I did as he instructed and never looked back. I owe him big time haha.

 

Red Hook IPA. Years & years ago...

 

Guinness. No, it's not a craft beer. But 20 years ago, it stood out from the pack. Way out.

 

Can't recall, it's been so long...


Edit: Actually I seem to remember it being pretty thick & piney.

 

Samuel Smith's Ole Brewery Pale Ale

First had it in the early 1990s, and while I didn't really get into "craft" beer until 2012, SSOBPA still deserves the credit for teaching me that the beer isn't just beer.

 

Would be happy to send you a nice little mix of Firestone stuff (Pivo Pils, 319, Union Jack, Double Jack, Easy Jack other shelf FW) if you can help me cross off Alabama or some other southern states on my quest to try the 50 states!

 

Don't know the lay of the beer landscape all too well so I'd be happy to take your suggestions. I'll PM you

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Harpoon IPA were two of the early ones to get me swaying away from macro, HF Edward was like an absolute epiphany for me though, everything changed after that.

 

I had had a few craft beers in college, and was initially introduced to loving beer via Guinness and a trip to Germany...but one night a buddy of mine snuck in a bomber of Arrogant Bastard to my dorm room, and I could not believe it. So different...I didn't even necessarily LIKE it at the time, it was just such a leap that I realized I HAD to find out more about this stuff. Five years and over 1,000 beers later...I still far prefer Double Bastard by far and I for one loved the Southern Charred/Crime/Punishment run...but every time I have straight-up Arrogant, nice and fresh, it just feels like discovering crazy flavorful beer all over again.

 

I used to think Sam Adams was the KING ...of the grocery store I learned! I am not exactly sure of "The One" but I found Sierra Nevada and Brooklyn and I was off. I then found Stone and North Coast and the quest began. My local store started a "Mix-a-Six" program and Victory appeared....I have tried so many beers from that program it is amazing. (Many are diamonds in the rough(Clown Shoes, Jacks Abby, Ithaca, Narragansett Autocrat)...Many i am glad I got only one for a buck! (No names) Would I have bought a whole six of Festina Peche or King Midas? Probably not...After the single sample though...YES. With the costs these days, mix a six programs are great...sucks losing $10 or more on a bad beer.
As with women, there are so many it is mind boggling and I want to sample them all....but there is always an old favorite to come home to.

 

Arrogant Bastard was my epiphany.

 

Pete's Wicked Ale. Wondering if people will remember it. Anywho....I also have to add Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and the Sammy Smiths Nut Brown and Oatmeal Stout. Earlier 90's....lol

 

While not my first "craft" beers by any stretch, Darkness and Even More Jesus were probably the ones that opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole other dimension to be explored.