Beginner Craft Beers

Honestly, the way I started developing a taste for what I liked was to pick up mix-six packs just about everywhere. Make sure the bottles are fresh, it'll be a valuable lesson in learning to check bottle codes, but it will also let you try more beers. I started off by drinking just stouts, but started building mix six packs with at least three styles of beer represented. That way, I would be forced to try one IPA or brown or amber with my stouts. It certainly helped me branch out.

 

It took me a long time to appreciate IPAs,now they're my go to style. Check out porters, brown Ales, and do yourself a favor, and find a well made Helles Lager...welcome to the club

 

Which part of PA? Generally Victory does a lot of things well and has a nice variety case that does include a very drinkable IPA but one that may be a good one to give a try since it has a malt backbone that softens bitterness from the hops. Also a number of beers from Troeg's might be worth trying if you haven't. Then there's the line up from Yards which does a lot of nice beers and includes 4 of them in their variety case.

BTW, if you vist the Mid-Atlantic forum you'll find some useful discussions of PA breweries and some from out of state that may be worth exploring.

 

One useful tip for when you are browsing your local juke joint is to check dates on the beers before you buy. I've known people who hated ipas because they were unfortunate with finding the freshness. Try to find something less than a month old and see if it is more to your liking. If not maybe a barleywine will illuminate your mind.

 

Lots, try St bernarbus 12 and rochefort 10 for actual Belgians. And for American versions three philosophers is very good as is boulevard bourbon barrel quad if you want to try something barrel aged.

 

All of the beers mentioned by @Scott17taylor can be found in PA. Also if you visit this list of Quads (following the link on the Beer Styles page).

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/142/

there should be others you can find to try.

But don't neglect the Dubbel category as they can be as good as Quads. (If you go to the Beer Styles page you'll find a link there to the list of Dubbels.)

 

The first few times I drank IPA, I felt the same way. I couldn't believe people could enjoy something so aromatic and perfume-like, but I eventually warmed to them. Of course, taste is subjective, but you may find after a while if you try another one it will be better than you remembered.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with Deschutes, Stone, Ballast Point, Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada as far as overall quality of beer from the brewery is concerned. Those are pretty easy to find in a lot of places and they make good beer. I'm also a big fan of Left Hand Milk Stout, if you can find it where you live.

I would also recommend for you, if you're enjoying that Stone Coffee Milk Stout, to try the Sierra Nevada Porter and Anchor Porter. Deschutes Black Butte Porter is delicious. Founders Dirty Bastard is really good if you want a really strong, dark, smoky taste in your beer.

 

Also Belgian strong dark ales. Chimay blue is also definitely worth trying.

 

I too, didn't think I'd ever drink IPA's. I do now, regularly. Since my 1st foray into serious craft beer was built on stouts and porters, I bridged the gap to IPA's by drinking some black IPA's (Mispillion Black Tie or 21st Amendment Back In Black are good representations), which have both a nice malt backbone, and a somewhat hoppy kick, but not overly bitter. There are also some nice hoppy Brown Ales out there too. Duck Rabbit Brewery has some lighter hopped versions of Brown and Porter, and Black. Once you get the tastebuds going, Pale Ales are the next step

Take your time, there's plenty out there!

 

I hear ya regarding IPAs. I got into craft just over a year ago (at age 56!). I too wanted to like IPAs but just can't tolerate the bitterness most of them have, nor the piney taste that some have. I have had a few with lower IBU rating that didn't suck. I too seem to have gravitated towards stouts, but also like quads, scotch ales, and some porters. I have also gained a taste for bourbon and rum barrel beers, though at first I didn't like them. Don't force yourself to like IPAs but certainly do try some different styles. Doing that, I found I like hefeweizens and some lambics.

For stouts, be sure to try Founders Breakfast Stout, which is highly rated. Note that it is highly advised to drink any beer from a glass, and to let stouts warm for several minutes. A good bourbon barrel beer to try is Founders Backwoods Bastard, which is a scotch ale. Note that stouts are often considered winter beers, so if you find one you like, check the brewery web page to see if it is seasonal or year round so you can decide whether to stock up. Stouts can remain good for a year or more, some age them for many years. Many other styles do not age so well - for instance, IPAs need to be fresh, no more than a few weeks old. Do not store beer where sunlight or heat can find it - best to store beer in a fridge or cool cellar.

I suggest you identify the craft shops and craft taprooms near you, and make it a point to visit them occasionally to familiarize yourself with what is available in your area. Distribution varies - the beers I can get here are fairly different from what you can get there. Be sure to buy singles to try when you can, or try them on tap. Nothing worse than paying big bucks for a pack, and you find you don't like it. Lastly, any question you may have at this point has likely been asked many times, and the folks here have answered them. If a search does not reveal any answers or you need clarification, then post the question. Have fun on your quest!

 

Weyerbacher's Quad is out now (actually came out in October, but just showed up here in central PA...) It's a bit atypical in that it's got a huge banana-like aroma, but it tastes like a quad underneath that, and it's a lot cheaper than any other quad you'll find. Also don't neglect dubbels -- Ommegang makes a really spectacular one which is available year-round and also relatively cheap.

 

Find a shop that sells singles, preferably without charging a premium.

Talk to the shopkeeper about what you like.

They're a great resource.


I've been enjoying craft beer and frequenting specialty bottle shops for just a couple years.

I've never been treated poorly for asking a question.



Try singles of everything Lagunitas, and...


Boulevard Tank 7

Pilsner Urquell

Weihenstephaner Heffe

Founder's Dirty Bastard



Try some pale ales, saisons and farmhouse beers they were a little more welcoming to me than ipa's.

 

Do you like or think you like fruit tasting beers? Have you had Blue Moon? That was a starting point for me. Try to find a beer like Hoegaarden, or Weihenstephaner Hefe Weisbier, or their Weizen Bock. Weihenstephaner actually has a gift set out right now. 5 beers and a glass for ~$22. None are hoppy either. There is a world of beer out there without a face full of hops.

I went head first when I was getting into beer and had sampler flights at local breweries of almost everything but IPAS. I too found them too bitter initially. I found comfort in the hefeweizens and pilsners.

I've actually come full circle on a lot of beers. I can come back and appreciate what Fat Tire has to offer, as well as Sam Adams Boston Lager.

And don't underestimate your Belgian Strong Pale Ales. Delirium Tremens was a great treat in getting a feel for what a 8.5% non hoppy beer can taste like. Throw in Duvel as well.

 

New Belgium abbey ale is a solid dubbel as well that is affordable.

 

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier, and Pilsner Urquell. Can't go wrong.

 

I'd love to try it, but I've never seen it. We get the rest of the New Belgium catalog including the collaborations, but I've seen neither the dubbel nor the tripel since New Belgium rolled out here at Halloween 2015.