What beer got you into craft beer?

Old Rasputin. Someone at a bar sitting next to me ordered it and I’d never seen a black beer that wasn’t Guinness so I gave it a shot. The rest is blurry expensive history.

 

Leinenkugel’s Limited. This was back when “Craft” wasn’t yet the go-to term, and even the idea of a Microbrewery was still very new. From then it was a straight, seasonal shot to their Bock (as well as Bocks from other smaller, regional breweries) and very shortly afterward the offerings from the local Summit Brewing Company.

 

Stoudt's Fat Dog. I thought the 750s it came in back then were sexy.

 

In the 1990's ,Pittsburgh's Penn Brewery. Amazing range of German-style lager and ales.

 

SNPA

 

It was yuengling that peaked my interest early…that lead to Long Trail Ale which I consider my first loved true craft beer.

 

I was very much into sampling lots of various craft and European beers back in the 90’s, but never really paid attention to styles and such just names of beers that I liked. 2010 I had Sam Smith RIS and rated it on beer advocate and that truly was the beer that got me into craft beer (combined with joining Beer Advocate and finally had a place to learn all about beer). The irony is I’m drinking a Natural Light from a van while I’m writing this.

 

Their St. Nikolaus Bock is top five for the holidays w/o being a some bakery spice bomb. Just give me hearty beers in the winter, I'll take my baked goods on the side.

 

Tripel Karmeliet

@Ckgibu got me hooked. It was all downhill from there.

 

Early on (mid to late 2000’s), it was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Celebration, North Coast Red Seal, Trader Joe’s Belgian Christmas Ale, and Sam Adams Boston Lager for me. Then, in 2011, I got my first poor of Pliny The Elder and I was awakened to a new world of beer. I’d say the next/other beer that hit me beautifully early on was Alpine Nelson in 2012. I guess I also should mention barrel aged Old Rasputin and Parabola.

 

Being in Germany for a bit and realizing beer could actually taste good, there were many styles, and there is an amazing culture around beer. Very eye opening and I am still thankful. Lowenbrau, Augustiner and a bunch of small brewers I sadly don’t remember.
Then back stateside two hearted ale, Guinness on nitro, dead guy ale, and fat tire all changed my world, as would many others would over the years

 

A 'microbrewery' was opening here in town back in 1996 (Arcadia, now closed) and I had to check them out to see what a microbrewery might brew. I ordered a sampler flight and fell in love with their London Porter. (Back when joining BA a sign-up question asked for our favorite beer, and I answered this beer.) Since Arcadia's demise Short's Brewing has gained rights to brew some of the labels, but the London Porter that they brewed wasn't nearly as good as what Arcadia made.

 

I had tried a couple of Saranac and Sam Adams variety packs when I first started exploring beer. But the beer that started my craft obsession was Founders Breakfast Stout. Upon first joining this site, I saw all of the reviews and it immediately became my most wanted beer. The first time I found it, I was traveling out of state and I bought two 4-packs. I still remember when and where I opened by first bottle. My love of stouts has steadily increased since that day. It's still one of my favorite beers.

 

Sure I'll play, revolution anti-hero.

 

Mexican imports, long before they became ubiquitous. And Oberon, but when it was still Solsun. And of course Two Hearted a little later on.

 

Victory HopDevil is responsible

 

A house made doppelbock at a little restaurant in Detroit followed by an Oktoberfest celebration at Hoppin' Frog in Akron.

 

Arcadia wasn’t one of my early influences, but I definitely geeked out the first time I went to their brewpub in Battle Creek.