New Guy looking for advice.

Here's some advice: Even if those are your favorite beers, never admit it again. Although there's really nothing wrong if you really like them, very few people on this site will take you seriously if you say those are your favorites. That being said, try Sierra Nevada Pale ale - probably the best entry level craft beer there is.

 

If you like porters try looking for Bells and Founders porters. Also, if you are in their distribution area Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald is a must! By the way, all the beers you mentioned are owned by large corporations and not true "craft" brews (except Kona). There is a ton more out there that is way better. Take your time exploring the vast variety and welcome to the fun world of craft beer!

Cheers!

 

Who cares? I don't take people seriously on this site who are beer "elitists". I'll drink Corona with lime all day in the summer.

OP: Where are you located?

 

Allagash White would be a nice start.

 

Perhaps you'd like a Weihenstephaner Hefeweiss Dunkel. In my opinion the best dunkelweizen out there. As far as porters go, try Founders Porter, or maybe even Stone Smoked Porter, just to try different takes on the same style. Or, you could be adventurous and try out some good imperial stouts, like Old Rasputin. A good starter IPA that's out right now is Lagunitas Daytime IPA, but you could also take one step at a time and go for a Sierra Nevada Pale. Just some ideas. Good luck!

 

seekabrew.com will give you an idea of whats available to you! Cross reference with BA about the "top beers" in the style you enjoy! Drink what you makes you happy! Cheers

 

I'm not sure if you can get it where you are, but I highly recommend you try to get your hands on some Maui Coconut Porter, it's so damn good and I think it will be right up your alley.

 

Hey now, play nice! We all have to start somewhere.

As for the OP, a lot of the mixed seasonal packs by Sam Adams and New Belgium are really nice. Depending on your location, I would find your local bar that sells some craft and see if they offer flights and/or tasters and just try new things. You'll never know until you try!

 

go to a beer shop an grab 6 different beers that are different and drink em up, thats what i did for a long while. its funny because i remember hating stouts and porters because they tasted burnt to me but know i love them.

 

My best advice is to stay off BA for a while until you discover your own way. I remember when I thought Newcastle was friggin' IT when it came to beer, I didn't need BA around to figure out that there was a lot more to the beer world than what I found in the local c-store cooler.

 

I like Blue Moon. Never feel bad for what you like to drink.

That being said, if you are looking for widely available, easy drinking beers that will start easing you into craft look at Sam Adams offerings.

 

First off...welcome!

Second...make good friends with "create-a-6-pack" and just start grabbing in the styles you like. Can never go wrong with Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, or Lagunitas as they are cheap, widely available, and great representations of style.

Cheers!

 

This. Mixed-sixers are the way to go when you start off. Exploring options is the best part!

 

I give you credit for liking a few different styles of beer already. You'll be a seasoned beer vet in no time.

 

Welcome to BA!

As you will quickly find out trolls abound here in our little internet forest.

Blue Moon and Shock Top have been gateway beers into the world of craft beer for many people you're not alone.

Some have already suggested Allagash Wit, which is a great witbier, also Hoegaarden is an inexpensive and solid witbier (as it should be as the original recipe is from the inventor (or perhaps re-inventor) of the style). These beers are in the style of what Blue Moon is trying to emulate.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/48

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier is a excellent example of a German wheat beer, I suggest trying the Dunkle and Vitus too. Shock Top is trying to emulate the hefeweizen style.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/89

Your profile doesn't indicate where you live; however, if you have access to Founders products then try their Porter since you like the style. Porters are a great gateway to stouts and THAT is a big part of the beerworld here in the U.S.!

Also, since it is the season, you could grab a Marzen (Oktoberfest) beer like Sam Adams, these beers are very "malt-forward" and if you like them this could mean Old Ales and Barleywines would appeal to you.

Good Luck!

 

I hear what you're saying... but I think a post like this can help steer him in the right direction quickly, and, frankly, if we want to be "beer advocates", we've got to be able to take a question like this and provide a good, solid answer. I think one of the main things you can do is when someone asks for help like this, be able to provide a craft alternative to their macro preferences.

Based on the beers you mentioned above:
If you like Killian's - try Great Lakes Conways Irish Red (or find a more locally accessible Irish Red through the beer styles list), or try some Scotch Ales
If you like Shock Top & Blue Moon - try Bell's Oberon, Allagash White, Southampton Double White
NEgra Modelo -> Ayinger Dunkel (or find a local)
In general - pick a macro beer you like, look it up here, then click on the beer style to find a better-rated version of the same style you can get close to you.

I'd agree on the mix-6 thing, or even pick a well regarded brewery and get a mixed 12 pack or case of their stuff. That can help you see what styles you like. Saranac isn't the best regarded brewery around here, but they put other packs with 6 or 12 different styles, so they can be a cheap way to sample across styles. Did a lot of that early in my beer days.

 

I'll third that mixed 6-packs are the way to go, you can hit a half dozen breweries and styles in one trip.

As you can see, not every beer goes to every state, so if you're comfortable listing what state you live in, it would help to suggest available/local beers.

If you like Shock Top and Blue Moon, try an Allagash White or St. Bernardus Wit; they're similar styles of much higher quality.

If you're in the Founders distribution area, Founders Breakfast Stout is like magic in a bottle. Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA will also be out soon and might be an easy transition IPA, I think it's more spicy and less bitter.

 

Don't let my post here fool you, I am really a "beer advocate". I live in a rural west TN town of 5000 people and own a c-store. Over the last two months, I have finally found a craft beer distributor and have taken away 3 shelves (working on more) from Budweiser and Miller distributors. Not out of the way shelves, but prime real estate and they aren't happy. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well it has started, last week I sold 19 cases. I am always happy to talk beer with anyone that comes in and help educate them based on what their preferences lean to, not my own hop heavy leanings.