First beer where you recognized what hops taste like

Resin. I had had IPAs before, but I have no idea what they were or from who's brewery, and I thought they were gross. Resin was the first IPA I recall enjoying, and, man, it was a mindblowing experience. Each one of those first four Resin I'd had were delicious and filled with pine, grapefruit, mango, even pineapple flavors. I'd never had anything that tasted like that before. I liked stouts before, but it was then I knew I liked IPAs too. "So this is what hops can taste like," I remember thinking to myself.

 

Hop Devil back in 2006. It was the first IPA I ever tried and probably the 2nd or 3rd craft beer. It was love at first sip. It took me a good 30 minutes to finish, but I enjoyed every drop.

 

Founders Centennial

 

J.W. Dundee's IPA

 

Sierra Nevada Pale ale took few beers to get use too, I kept thinking it tasted like soapy water.

 

My taste buds got rocked with my first Fat Head's Head Hunter

 

Southern Tier IPA in 2006.

 

My first one

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale,

Just drank it cuz someone offered to me, and had a hard time finishing it. Had been drinking lots of keystone and couldn't handle the bitterness. Tried it a few years later and it was a entirely different experience.

After that Sucks REALLY made me understand how much hops can affect a beer.

 

Some Red Hook s**t 20 + years ago. I immediately tossed it and grabbed an Oly! That was before the term "craft beer". When Red Hook, Aviator, and Pyramid were local Seattle "alternative" beers. 2014, I'll still reach for an Oly over a Red Hook IPA any day!

 

Stone IPA

 

Arrogant Bastard and I drain poured it! I should kick my 2009 ass!!!!

 

Stone IPA... The first hoppy beer where I realized that hops can be more than just bitter flowers.

 

Surly Abrasive. or 16 Grit it used to be called. I thought I knew what hops were. I was so very wrong.

 

GI IPA on tap... Had some really hoppy beers before that, but had no clue what was going on.

 

It was definitely SNPA for me, but hops can taste so different, that really only helps you know what American-style hops taste like. I still have trouble at times with the more subtle British/European hops.

 

In a "bad" way - Avery Maharaja. I had one after taking a look at Beer Advocate back around 2010. I gagged. Couldn't finish it. I wondered why someone would our "weed" in a beer.

About 2 years ago, I tried Troeg's Nugget Nectar. My world hasn't been the same since.

 

SNPA

 

Great Lakes Burning River.. didnt care for it then dont care for it now.. although i am a hop head.. i like ipas better

 

Difficult question...so my answer will be two-fold.
My first experience with hops (of which I hated), yet had NO CLUE as to what I was tasting = Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
My first experience with hops where the stars aligned, the 'lightbulb' illuminated and was forever christened a 'hop head' = Lagunitas Maximus