A hoppy beer for someone that doesn't like hops?

You should probably have yourself a Two Hearted. If you like it, learn about the hop profiles by reading some reviews on it, then try to find some somewhat louder IPAs that use the same or similar hops. If you don't like it, try another mellow, well-balanced IPA and repeat steps 2 and 3. You will eventually discover which hops you like and dislike and in what manner you prefer them in relation to the amount, the intensity, and their use. There is too wide of an array of types and usage to dismiss them all.

 

I'd recommend starting with some English IPAs. They tend to be less aggressive in both bitterness and alcohol content.

Worthington's White Shield, Fuller's IPA or Belhaven Twisted Thistle, to name a few.

 

I think people who are willing to keep an open mind and explore things they may not necessarily like at first is refreshing to see. If you explore a style a little more thoroughly and THEN you find that you still don't like it, at least you have done your homework and are making an informed decision at that point. We all need to remember that labels and style categories can be a bit blurred these days, and you may be missing out on a beer you could really love if you just go by the label/category.

OP, I was not into hops at all and despised IPAs when I first got into craft beer and because of adopting the attitude you have, I have learned a lot about them and have even found some that I really enjoy from time to time. Ithaca Flower Power, Bell's Two Hearted Ale and Founders Centennial are great ones to get started with.

 

I'm a bit perplexed about all of 'non help' you're getting. I don't care for IPAs myself, but I (just like you) wanted to see if it was truly a taste thing, or if it was a taste that could be acquired. I applaud you for actually trying to overcome something you don't like, since I don't care to be limited on my options either.

I guess the first thing you should realize is that there's as many IPAs out there as there are feral cats. Not all of them can be tamed, not all of them are meant to be saved, not all of them are nice, and some will just destroy you with their bitterness.. but, then you find a couple that are redeemable, that likely have had quite a bit of love thrown at them, and you can slowly work your way towards adopting them. Now, they'll never be 'truly' tame, like a good ol' pale ale(unless their on their death bed.. or dead), but they'll *will* have calmed down quite a bit with their age.

With that said, I find that it is the West Coast IPAs that stock up on those massively bitter tasting hops are the ones that I care for least. I don't mind any of Stone's Enjoy By IPAs because typically they're fresh hops that are meant to accentuate the beer (despite them being West Coast).

I like Piraat (which is billed as a Belgian IPA) and Houblon Chouffe Doubbelen IPA Tripel simply because the hops are well balanced with lots of citrus and sweet notes.

I like Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild, since the phenolic notes left over from the Westmalle yeast seems to take a lot of edge off of those hops.

I like Mikkeller 10 because despite being brewed with 10 different hops, no one hops varietal leaps up to decimate your tongue with it's bittering sword of destruction.

I guess, to summarize, I'd recommend trying hoppy beers from outside of the United States (go Belgians!) and work your way back in, without trying to overdo it

 

Nice avatar, TheJessica, and that was a clever comparison to cats! The only thing I would say to the OP, though, is that Belgian IPAs will show you another side of the IPA category but I feel that they are a whole other animal (pun intended in this case, I suppose?) and the flavor profiles in them will not necessarily prepare you for what you will find in many of the American IPAs.

 

I'm not huge on hop bitterness, but I'm getting used to it. I say start with APAs before IPAs, in my mind they are almost the same thing but APAs are a less extreme and more palatable. Southern Tier's "Matt and Phin's" and Troeg's "Pale Ale" were both enjoyable. The first IPA (and actually a double) I actually enjoyed was Great Lake's "Alchemy Hour" which is a limited release so it might be a while before its available again. Troeg's hopback amber was also mentioned, which I think is hoppier than my suggestions, but also pretty good.

 

All Day IPA. Just enough hoppy flavor. It's a good beer.

 

Great question, OP. I'm more choosy about IPAs than, say, stouts or porters or Belgian ales because some IPAs just have no balance and taste like Dawn. You're gonna hate something like Green Flash West Coast IPA, period. I hate it, and I probably always will because I'm never going to like something that is so bitter. If you want to do an easy little experiment with beer you can get no matter where you are, then go get some Sierra Nevada pale ale and some Sierra Nevada Torpedo. Have the pale ale first to get into the groove of this kind of beer. Then try the Torpedo and see whether you like "kicking it up a notch." If you don't then so be it.

 

Try FW Pale 31

 

I'd say it depends on what you don't like about hops? Bitterness, taste... I have a friend who says she hates hops, but what she hates is bitterness. I gave her some Founders All Day IPA and it's her new favorite beer. If you don't like the taste... well, then you're SOL. And wrong.

 

My buddy that hates hoppy beers for some reason likes hoppier WHEAT beers. Not sure if be is an isolated case, but it might be worth a shot to give Lil Sumpin, Gumballhead, or 80 acre a try.

 

Blue Point Hoptical Illusion. A not so hoppy mild IPA.

 

I'm shocked it took this long for someone to say this...I mean the whole time/money/calories thing...you're on top of it man.

 

If you can find it try Skookum Mule. It's popular here in western washington. I'm not a hops fan either and this is an American Strong Ale. It was pretty hoppy for me, but it was super good and I really enjoyed it. More hoppy than most IPA's I've tried as well.

 

On another note, out here in western washington, it seems like IPA's are like a hipster thing. I'm not really into that, so the image really sours me to begin with.

 

you just win the post of the year award, man

 

sculpin makes the best case for hops/ipas for those who previously disliked either

 

weyerbacher double simcoe. single hop dipa with a huge malt bill

 

Buy a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and drink it until you like it. Then move on to others.

I think this is becoming a theme. If anyone just can't get into stouts and needs a stout for non stout lovers, buy a case of Courage Imperial Russian Stout and drink it until you like it...

Just not into barleywines? Buy a case of J.W. Lees Vintage Harvest Ale and drink it until you like it...

 

Amazed only 2 people have mentioned Union Jack.
It has almost no bittering hops, just lots of those beautiful hoppy nose and tastes. That was their goal in making it.