Everyone has to start somewhere.

Find a bar with a great, rotating selection, and bartender who is friendly. Let them learn what you like, tip well, and ask for recs and a taste of anything new.

 

while I consider IPAs the "gateway beer" for guys, most women I know - my wife included - found single IPAs to be far too bitter (though she has come around). perhaps try to find IPAs that are more on the fruity side, or give some English and/or Belgian IPAs a try - they're much less bitter, a bit more sweet, and have more delicate flavors. at least in my experience

 

From what I have seen, many people on BA caution against this very thing. Don't get me wrong, its a wonderful source of information and can lead you in the right direction, just don't let it make all your decisions for you :-)

 

If you haven't found "the one" IPA yet start with some of the local brewers in Texas because there are quite a few that make quality IPAs. After that I would recommend: Tallgrass Ethos, Avery IPA, COOP F5, Sierra Nevada Torpedo or any of the IPAs made by Green Flash. IPAs probably make up one of the largest styles of craft beer so there's got to be something out there for just about everyone.

 

Pale ales are starter IPAs. If you find a pale ale you like you will eventually find a tasty IPA.

 

Try branching out with some of the bigger craft brewers (Boston Beer Company, New Belgium, Deschutes)...in my opinion, their standard offerings tend to focus more on pleasing the in between crowd - those that have moved past Bud Light, but aren't quite ready to throw down an 18% World Wide Stout or some sour beer. So it would be a good exposure to all different styles of beer and if you like one, you can explore more in that category. For example, if you are hesitant to try an IPA, maybe start with New Belgium's Ranger, or even Shift, their pale lager. That's how I got started, at least, and it was a good introduction into many different styles of beer.

 

I would also recommend Cuvée Des Jacobins Rouge and Duchesse De Bourgogne, both slightly sweet, tart beers and a great introduction into sours. They are also available in small bottles. Enjoy!

 

I did that with my very first mix-six. Never had a beer in my life before then and had the quality > quantity mindset.

So I started off with Hopdevil. Needless to say, it was too much too soon.

Now I love Hopdevil.

 

If you like porters, try Edmund Fitzgerald by Great Lakes, and Fuller's London Porter. Also, try out Weinhanstephaner Hefeweizen or Hacker Pschorr Weisse. Both really good wheat beers.

Some other suggestions for new styles would be Lagunitas New Dogtown Ale, Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas Censored, and Bell's Expedition Stout. All very good.

But, don't be afraid to try new things! Everyone has different tastes. Some of the "world class" brews on here I'm not fond of, particularly anything by Victory, which is always ranked high. IPA's are a required taste, so start slow with those. Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale combines wheaty beer with an IPA flavor to it.

Just some suggestions, but go out and explore!

 

Start by ticking right away- never try beer that wasnt delivered that day .. Oh and cut in lines at special releases

 

This. When I started several years back, very few stores had much of a singles section so I ended up buying sixers of stuff because I read about it on here… and not all of them were for me. Mixed sixes make it really easy and affordable to just try new things and figure out what you're into… I kinda miss those days, every beer was new and exciting! Enjoy the journey my man.

 

A few weeks ago after he had several drinks I got him to try a Trippel -- needless to say he hated it. He held his breath and wound up chugging it. One day he'll come around... and regret the time he wasted.

 

Never had the Leinie's porter but Empyrean makes a good one called 'Dark Side Vanilla Porter'.

 

I would imagine someone else has already suggested this, but if not, might I recommend you try Allagash White. In my experience, it's a beer that is widely distributed, though I don't know if it makes it down to where you are. If you liked the Sunset Wheat, you may enjoy it. Also, Sierra Nevada Kellerweis is something that you may like quite a bit.

Enjoy the journey.

 

Oh - and be sure to check this out.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/

Take your time.

 

As mentioned already, if you like Snowdrift, find a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter. Much better. You should enjoy Left Hand Milk Stout also. As far as Sunset, Goose Island 312, Red Hook Wise Crack Wit are both easy to find. Usually cant go wrong with any Sam Adams too

 

Welcome to BA and all relevant pleasantries, etc.

In terms of your questions, there are a few beers that came to mind based on the ones you mentioned, and I'm a little surprised no one has mentioned them yet.

First, we'll get the shandy out of the way--another one that is an excellent summertime drinker is the Grapefruit Radler by Stiegl. It's the same style (shandy = radler, more or less) and it's one of my guilty pleasures. As far as I know, you can get this one just about anywhere. And bonus: it comes in TALLBOYS!

Now, onto the Sunset Wheat and Snowdrift Porter.

For the Sunset Wheat, I will one couple recommendation that I haven't seen: Boulevard ZON is a summer seasonal witbier that is one of my favorite in the style. I second the recommendations for St. Bernardus Wit and Hitachino Nest White. Allagash White is also good. And lastly, for a non-white wheat beer: Tallgrass Halcyon Wheat.

Sidebar: Since you mention liking that wheat beer and having been unable to find an IPA you like yet, I would also suggest a couple of crossover beers that will have the characteristics you love about wheat, but add a little bit of hops in a way that will help grow your palate. Lagunitas Lil' Sumpin Sumpin Ale is a hoppy wheat beer that many people will tell you is an IPA. Or Boulevard 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat is another one that isn't quite as over-the-top with hops as the Lagunitas beer is.

Lastly, if you like Snowdrift Porter, in addition to the already-mentioned Vanilla Porter by Breckenridge Brewery look for Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat from Tallgrass Brewing. Or even regular Buffalo Sweat (it's a milk stout). In general, you will also probably want to start with sweeter stouts and porters. Some that I would recommend: Young's Double Chocolate Stout, Southern Tier Creme Brulee (REALLY sweet, so be warned), Samuel Smith's Organic Chocolate Stout, to name a few.

 

Don't be afraid to enjoy what your palette tells you you like. A lot of space is devoted to limited, extreme micro brewery offerings that are almost completely unaccessible. You'll find quite a few beers in your neck of the woods that stand up to other popular choics. Don't get frantic if you can't score all the top beers. But don't be afraid to research and swap for beers that sound good, either.

And to save yourself a lot of aggrevation, post that you're not single in your profile, regardless of whether you are or not. It seems there's nothing as appealing as a girl who drinks craft beers. Unless it's a girl who rides a motorcycle AND drinks craft beers.

Cheers

 

Good beginner IPA - Goose Island India Pale Ale