Build a mix-six pack for a new craft drinker

Ohh this is a bit tricky but here goes:

FW Pivo Pils
Dale's Pinner "IPA"
NB Fat Tire Amber
FW Velvet Merlin
Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse
Deschutes Jubelale

Feel this gives a good arc of the differences in beer available without being too out there to turn them away.

 

Using just Minnesota and Wisconsin beers, I would iclude Surley Hell, Schell's Bock, Summit EPA, New Glarus Dancing Man, Castle Danger Stout, and Summit's Great Northern Porter.

 

Wolaver's Coffee Porter is delicious, Magic Hat #9 is a classic for me at least, and Otter Creek Couch Surfer is delicious as well. Haven't had the other 3.

 

SN Pale Ale
FW Vivo
Founder's Breakfast Stout
DFH 60
Brooklyn Lager
Allagash White

 

Let's be honest. SNPA, SA Boston Lager, and NB Fat Tire at least need to be in this 6 pack. We need to look at this from a beginner's perspective. There's people on here talking about crazy craft beers. Let's stay on track and keep it simple.

 

1. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Deshutes Mirror Pond
2. Edmunton Fitzgerald
Founders Porter
3. Avery Liliko'i Kepolo
Calabaza Blanca
4. Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier
Victory Sunrise Weiss
5. Samuel Smith Nut Brown
Jackie O's Chomolungma
6. Left Hand Milk Stout
Samuel Adams Cream Stout

 

• 1. SNPA
• 2. Fat Tire
• 3. Odell Cutthroat Porter
• 4. Lagunitas IPA
• 5. Victory Prima Pils
• 6. Boston Lager

 

Some of these suggestions are outright crazy for somebody brand new to the craft world

 

Read 3 posts above yours ^

 

Pilsner Urquell
Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen
SNPA
London Pride
Hennepin
Samuel Smith's Taddy Porter

 

Founder's Breakfast Stout, Sierra Pale Ale, Sam Lager, Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Weheinstephaner Hefeweizen, and Troegs Troegenator

 

Although to get used to bitter IPAs i had awhole 6 of Sculpin. And the beer that got be into the darker side was a brown ale...Smutty Old Brown Dog. But i was sold when i had an Alesmith Speedway Stout. I couldnt stand bitter IPAs at first maybe even try Grapefruit Sculpin its virtually the same.

 

Lager: Fat tire
APA: DaIsy cutter
IPA: Two Hearted Ale
Amber: Bells Amber
Porter: GL Elliot Ness
Stout: Any Yeti

 

I think an all SN 6-pack would have it covered:

Pale Ale
Summerfest or Kolsch
Kellerweis
Porter
Torpedo/Celebration
Oktoberfest or Vienna Lager

 

- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Deschutes Black Butte Porter
- Alaskan Amber
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (get used to this one, then move to an IPA)
- Alaskan Oatmeal Stout
- Founders Dirty Bastard (maybe)

 

Mic drop right there.

 

I'm surprised you wouldn't include anything by Goose Island

 

Thinking totally in the mindset of accessibility, light but enjoyable flavors I'd recommend:

1) Hoegaarden/Alagash white. Probably Hoegaarden>Alagash simply because it is simpler. The beer that got me into craft beer.
2) Von Trapp Helles lager. Super light, refreshing, yet slightly more malt flavor than a AAL. Push that boundary in a comfortable manner.
3) Weihenstephaner Heffeweissbier. How can you go wrong with this beer. Very complex, so room for growth, while not being offensive in any manner. Super drinkable.
4) Kostritzer schwartzbier or Von Trapp Dunkel lager. Starts a new craft drinker down the route of toasty malt without pushing it too far and turning them off. Admittedly as much as I love a good stout they sometimes come off as acrid. This could be problematic
5) Konig Pilsener or Rothaus Tannezapfle. Similar to what a newer drinker is used to, specificially AALS, but with a slightly more robust (yet totally managable) hop presence.
6) Wildcard. Tempted to say Ayinger's Celebrator Doppelbock simply because it is so approachable, yet pretty boozy and complex. I think it would open the new drinker up to beers that are a little heavier, higher in alcohol, and more robust (like an imperial stout), but without being overwhelming.

Have actually used a number of these beers to get routine beer drinkers into craft drinkers, to high success rates. Have also used Julius by Treehouse since it is fruity and not too bitter to a good degree of success as well.

Edit: upon reflection I see my bias German beer bias showing here big time, but I think it stands in terms of accessibility.

 

I wouldn't hit up all the styles and it depends on where this guy is but...

New England Brewing Co. Sea Hag
Founders Porter
Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout
Sixpoint The Crisp
Guinness Extra Stout
Ballast Point Sculpin

 

Pilsner: Firestone Walker Pivo
APA: Sierra Nevada
IPA: Lagunitas (Not to hoppy, well balanced, well known)
Amber: Port Chronic
Porter: Deschuetes Black Butte
Other "gateway" options: Modern times hoppy wheat, Lagunitas daytime, Fig Mountain Pilsner, Mamas lil yella pils,