Beer recommendations for a newbie malt-head?

I expect you will like Dirty Bastard. If you do, and don't mind bourbon, you might next try Backwoods Bastard, which is bourbon barrel aged Dirty Bastard.

Another style to consider is Porters. These are typically not very hoppy. Founders Porter is excellent.

 

How about Olde Hickory Bee Student? Anyway, a sure fire hit should be Neumarkter Lammsbrau Dunkel. This organic German Dunkel is creamy, smooth, malty,.... It's a great beer!

 

Lot's of good choices for ya so far. If you have any brewpubs around, go visit and try some of their beers.

Cheers!

 

Give these a try see what ya think

Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Dieu De Ciel Aphrodite
Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Fuller's Vintage Ale
Alesmith Old Numbskull

 

“The best example that comes to mind is Sierra Nevada's Mahrs Brau oktoberfest collaboration from this past year (2016).”

And

“…DB, since hey're a short hop-skip from where I am. I've only had their Vienna lager and wasn't too enthuse - a little too bitter-hoppy for me”

Hmm, those two comments have me stumped.

I will have to put on my thinking cap here and see if I could come up with some useful suggestions.

Cheers!

 

If you have access to Troegs beers you need to give Troegenator a try. Also just about any Amber Lager will fit the bill you are looking for (Amber Ales maybe not so much, as some of them can be on the hoppier end).

 

Try Aventinus when you have a while to sit and think and drink.

 

Like many examples above, try some German beers.

 

Weihenstephan Korbinian dopplebock should be a "must try"

 

OP, the beers that have given me the most enjoyment for a sweet malty taste were usually red ales. Obviously I'm talking about examples of this style that are not hoppy (although I enjoy them too) so take a look at the list here https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/128/ and see which ones are available to you. Then look at the reviews for the ones that you can get and see if those particular beers are described by the reviewer as malty or hoppy. Then go pick up the ones that are malty.

It may be the particular malt (whatever it is) that gives a red ale its signature color that has the sweet malt taste that I like (plus the brewer's decision to use only minimal hops), and that malt would be somewhat unique to the red ale style, thus my reason to recommend this style.

 

As should be Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel, or Weltenberger Asam Bock.

 

Not nearly early enough to offer a unique response, but I'll chime in agreement with malty styles like
(lighter styles) helles lager, brown ale, mild
(heavier styles) doppelbock, scotch ale/wee heavy, old ale, English barleywine

One other thing to note is that American brewers can certainly take any beer style and turn it into a hop bomb. Watch out for anything with the word "India" shoved in front of it since that's code for "hopped like an IPA".

 

It's interesting as the described flavor profile is very similar to what I like, and I was wondering why no one had mentioned dunkels Here in New England my dunkel of choice comes from Von Trapp, but I am sure there are similar available in VA.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22512/60136/

 

Pretty much anything from the store shelves from UK, Belgium or German should be fairly safe bet if you just don't want bitter hops (with except to a few pilsners like Jever and such). US craft makers have some, but even standard "malty" styles Americans may hop them up, so it will be very hit or miss for you. Prime example, you thought the Devil's Backbone Vienna Lager was too hoppy. Most people with alot of exposure to American craft beers, would say that beer is sweet and malty in comparison to other beers (even within the Vienna Lager style).

 

Take a whack at some English Barley Wines. My apologies if that's been stated already.

 

I am also a bigger fan of the maltier brews as opposed to the hoppy ones. Although I live a short distance from 3 Floyd's and can readily get Zombie Dust, which is awfully good no matter what your preference. For the sweeter/malty brews..... Locally, I like Sun King's Wee Mac out of Indy. But for a wider market, try Sam Adam's Winter Lager. I am quaffing one right now. Really good and reasonably priced at around 9 bucks a six pack here in my area.

 

When I saw Virginia, Devil's Backbone Vienna was the first thing that came to mind, especially after liking the Oktoberfest. This sounds like a hop variety preference rather than an opposition to bitterness. I found the ingredients on their website. Northern Brewer and Saaz hops.

Sierra Nevada listed German Margnum and Palisade for bittering. and German Record, Saphir, and Crystal for finishing. I can't make much of that, but thought Jack may be able to run with it

 

Since Oktoberfest/Marzens are not going to be an option for awhile, I would try some Helles, Bocks/Doppelbocks, and Dunkels. I really like Hofbrau Dunkel. Also, don't be affraid to sample a few Scotch Ales

 

I would drink Spaten Oktoberfest year round, but Scottish and a Scottish-type ale is a great suggestion. The standard Belhaven seems perfect. What I've found is that well made Amber ales from many local brewpubs are just the sort of beer the Op seeks.