Going through these threads its really easy to get caught up in super hyped beers, super limited releases, and all sorts of funky and odd variations on classic styles. As (relative) n00b, though, I'm really looking to get a better sense of all the different styles that are available, and to develop a more "refined palate" (or at least figure out exactly what I'm looking for). I'm sure this MUST be on here SOMEWHERE, and if it is feel free to tell me I'm an idiot and point me to it- but I'd really love to hear everyone's input on what you think are the best examples of any given style that are somewhat easy to find off the shelf at a decent bottle shop. Just to toss out a few examples (and do feel free to tell me I'm wrong and suggest some of your own) Quad- St. Bernardus 12 is a GREAT quad that I see all over the place now, and is a good standard against which other quads can be compared Again, I'm not looking for the #1 Stout in the world, just a really solid great example of a style that someone could easily find to build up a better background.
Let's see, this is just sort of off the top of my head and without knowing what's available in your region of the world. Stout: Beamish and Murphy's are woefully underrated. If you can find 'em, try 'em. Russian Imperial Stout: Old Rasputin is awesome, AWESOME I TELLS YA!! as is Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout. Bitter: Fuller's ESB, Fuller's London Pride, Marston's Pedigree, and Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale are all great. English Brown Ale: A lot of people go after Newcastle, but I honestly think Samuel Smith is far better. IPA: Again, Samuel Smith but also Twisted Thistle. American IPA: Anchor Liberty Ale Barley Wine: Fuller's Vintage Ale, Burly Wine (From Half Pints Brewing) Train Wreck, Demeter's Harvest That's off the top of my head. I'll pop in later and add more to the list for you
Sierra Nevada Stout is widely available and at a very reasonable. It is a very good stout. As Brainhophead said, Old Rasputin is an excelllent Imperial Stout that is also widely available and sold at a very reasonable price. Anything that Samuel Smith brews is going to be a very good baseline in which to judge a style. They area world class brewer that doesn't break the bank. Their Nut Brown Ale is top of the heap. Enjoy!
I don't think anyone here can tell you what styles you should drink. I would suggest two methoods: 1) Find a store that sells singles. Make up a couple of mixed sixes. Just sample what they have and find a couple of styles tat you like. Than try more of those styles. 2) Pick a couple of breweries that distribute in your area and try each of the styles they offer. I would suggest Stone, Founders, Lagunitas, Rogue, Troegs and Victory.
I'm having a hard time offering suggestions when I don't know what you like. Instead of trying a billion different styles from here and there, I think the best way to refine your palate is to stick with one style you really like and drink the hell out of it. Soon, you'll start to notice subtleties in taste and smell and so on..I've been doing this with IPAs/IIPAs and I think it's been paying off. Cheers!
Stouts: As mentioned Old Raspy. I would also add Ipswich Oatmeal Stou and Sam Smith oatmeal stout. IPA: Torpedo, Sculpin, Lagunitas and some Bear Republic offerings should be easy to find. Saison: Saison Dupont, Jack D'or, Hennepin Trappist: Rochefort 8 or 10, Ommegang Abbey ale, Chimay(any) Just go try something new with each trip to the store and you will find your way.
Hefeweizen: Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier Witbier: Hoegaarden American Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Trippel: Unibroue La Fin du Monde
you're in RI. go to Nikki's, ask for the following: Jack D'or Grey Sail Flagship Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier Ayinger Weizenbock leipziger Gose Sculpin IPA / Ghandi BOt (if in stock) Allagash Curieux Drie Fontien Oude Gueuze Draeckenier (if in stock) North Coast Old Stock Smuttynose Finestkind (my favorite) North Coast Old Rasputin I'm in RI too. There's a few of us around. Send me a message, let's meet up and crack some beers sometime.
Check out BJCP.org (Beer Judge Certification Program) This is the certification course that people study to become beer judges. Under every style guideline they will give you a couple of the most appropriate commercial examples for a particular style. If you want to figure out exactly what you should be looking for in a certain style of beer, the BJCP study guide will give you exactly that.
The Beers of Fame list is what you are looking for, I would guess you'd be able to get at least 50 of these beers off the shelf and cheap where you're at. This is the only list that a noob should be worried about, too many people dive in waaay too fast into the hyped, difficult to get, and expensive beers. http://beeradvocate.com/lists/fame
Just go down to the store and buy different beers. When I first discovered how diverse beer selection is I tried different styles just because I had never tasted them before, simple as that. No consultation. Exercising your freedom will likely lead to a more rewarding experience. The limiting factors on your freedom to choose are availability, quality, and price.
If you look at "Beer Styles" in the Education section of the home page, click the link. You'll see a list of styles as categorized on this site. If you pick a style you can click the link and read about it and look at the list. The list is ordered by number of reviews, which will be sort of related to availability. Or if you like you can click on the link on that page to get a list of examples from that style ordered by their combined review score from the BAs who've had and reviewed those beers. Make a list. Go shopping! Enjoy!
