Forum for newbies to Craft Beer?

Having just gotten into craft in my late fifties a couple of years ago, I can relate. I don't know of such a forum, probably since it would need to also be frequented by experienced BAs in order to work well. I just jumped into the forums head first, having done the same with other online forums for my other interests. Terminology and acronyms can be tough, but it won't take long. Keep in mind that there of plenty of other more experienced BAs that are learning as well.

I'd suggest starting to read the forums and when you run into terminology you are unfamiliar with, search on BA and/or Google, or ask someone. Though I've only been into craft and on BA two year, I'd be glad to answer what I can. Sometimes, terms such as "dank" can be subjective, but I think of dank as a smell of a hoppier beer such as a resinous IPA. Some may argue that dank is a taste, perhaps both a taste and a smell. I'm not into IPAs so perhaps someone else can elaborate.

 

This site can be a good resource if you're willing to look past the snark of some posters (like me).

If you click on the style of any beer listed in the directory, it has a short description of what the style generally tastes like and a list of some of the most popular examples.

The regional threads are also a good way to learn about new beers in your area.

And you should join the "What Beer Are You Drinking Now" thread every once in a while. It's a good time.

I agree with @bbtkd that "dank" means resinous hops. People also use it to refer to hops that smell like marijuana.

 

"dank" never used the term... I think it means when hops are really wet or something

My advice is read a few reviews of beers you might be interested in, read the "beer 101" article linked on this site, check out a few other brewing pages online, Google any words you aren't sure of (or alternatively list them here and some BA brothers/sisters will give you the low down)... it all takes time though, I lurked this site for 6 months before I even wrote a review, and I know that my writing has gotten better, so be patient and before you know it you'll be throwing around words like "ester" and "phenol" like coins into a wishing well... a wishing well filled with beer.

Godspeed!

 

I actually like the idea for a "Newbie" forum. Why not? And I like the idea of a lexicon but I doubt it would really be used that often, and there are so many other sources for that on the "intrey-web" that it's really not needed here. Welcome, and enjoy!

 

Can't suggest this approach more wholeheartedly.

Been into craft beer since the late 90s, been on various online forums since the early 2000s, and been homebrewing since 2005.

Guess what? I STILL have questions. Just read as much as you can and ask people. That's the way most of us have learned.

Oh . . . and welcome. Glad that you're here!

 

I like the idea, I'm more than willing to answer questions for newbies if they start the thread, and it could keep the beer talk forum have less repeat threads.

 

First of all, ignore the date I joined here. That was my own fault for not realizing that Beer Advocate should be the end all and be all for "beer internet resources" but anyone who knows me elsewhere knows I'm no where close to being a newbie in the beer world.

Second of all, with that in mind, I came here to say - most beer terminology is subjective and not always used in the same way as many reviewers can agree on. In fact, there's a ton of terminology that I think that is over used.

In turn, read reviews, read the What Beer Are You Drinking thread, read New Beer Sunday. Read the beer 101 that @doktorhops mentioned.

Follow some people that you (OP) you can trust and you'll find your "niche" on here and be able to write your own reviews to your perspective.

 

We all have questions, but there is definitely a learning curve and those of us who have been drinking craft beer for a while can definitely help with the basic stuff you kind of take for granted after a while,

 

Agreed 100%

 

Lol, yeah, the "I STILL have questions" part, yeah, me too, man. Just when I thought I knew a ton of stuff, there's always some "curveball" thrown into the mix - the "he did what to that beer?, what the what?"

Craft beer is such a dynamic industry and the good reviewers/drinkers that care enough to continue to dissect beers are constantly asking questions to the brewers and other drinkers.

Never stop asking questions about this beer thing, that's my advice to all who read this thread.

 

One piece of advice is to keep an open mind and welcome others disagreeing with you. I often "like" posts countering what I have posted. We both have an opinion, sometimes I'm wrong, other times neither of us is.

 

Being cordial when you disagree is one of the most underrated ways to argue a point.

 

Yep, just thought I needed to expand on your point. A place for super simple questions and recommendations would be great

 

If you're reading a thread, and an unfamiliar term pops up, just ask, somedbody'll tell ya, and they might even be right! "Dank" is one of my favorite beer terms, because I hate so much. Most folks here mean that a beer smells like weed, but I always fall back on an image of a musty, dirt-floor basement, in a serial killers house. Think Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs. I bet his basement was REALLY dank!

The acronyms get out of hand, especially on the trading forums (I rarely venture there), but when ya see one ya don't know, again, just ask. Most folks here are chill, and more than glad to help.

 

A good way to 'fit in' quickly is to do a search of the Beer Talk forum using the search word 'newbie' or 'noobie' and ask for a search of thread titles only. The Beer Talk forum is where you'll get the most variety of beer topics, and usually the 'newbie' threads come up often enough so that there is enough of them to learn the basics from just those postings.

 

I have been on for over a year now and my best advice is just to ask. Everyone here is very nice and open to helping when asked. Join in some chats, post helpful comments, and ask a mod if you need to. There is a ton of reading here, so crack open some cold ones and read the older forum items etc. Cheers and welcome to the world of craft
You asked about Dank, I always attribute it to a beer smelling like weed or very earthy/wet.

 

As long as you don't call me bro or spell whale with a z you are cool with me. Absolutely zero to be intimidated by here. Welcome to the collective.

 

One of the things I like most about the members here is how civil and easy going the disagreements are. You never read anything saying someone is an idiot and an asshole for what they posted. That's pretty much unheard of on the internet.