Go-To Convert Beer

Heady Topper. Converted my girlfriend and a bunch of friends.

 

SNPA is a great entry to craft.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth!

 

I want to lick my tablet!

 

Sierra Nevada Kellerweis and/or Allagash White.

 

Converted one dude tonight with SN Nooner.

 

Black Butte Porter from deschutes, I find that porters and stouts are easier to get people to like than other styles

 

I've had good luck with Belgian styles and saisons.. Specifically: Sofie, La Fin Du Monde, and a local Dubbel. Unique but not too overwhelming or bitter.

Being from Michigan, pretty much everyone will drink an Oberon around here.

I've also found that some palates actually really enjoy mild sours, like Rodenbach, dark English beers, like a nice mild porter or oatmeal stout, and a few even really liked milder barley wines or double IPAs (both complex but with relatively lower perceived bitterness (Gravity/IBU).

 

I converted my cousin with Hoegaarden. He still buys mostly BMC (he's a college student) but now will drink IPA's and some Belgian stuff.

 

I actually thought I didn't like beer when I tried Pale Ale. Granted I was 18, it wasn't a very good first entry for craft beer. I thought it was too bitter, weird yeasty flavor, and odd aftertaste. 8 years later, I've warmed up to it, but being that I live in Chico, I've had time to get sick of it too.

My recommendations to newcomers are easy drinking beers that are light on hops and usually high on familiar flavors. I've never met someone who dislikes Fresh Squeezed, even people who dislike beer. Chocolate stouts are always a good gateway beer, as they're smooth and sweet with an appealing smell (Sam Smith's, Rogue, Campfire Stout). Wheat beers were how I got into craft beer, and seem to be effective with others too. Stuff like Kellerweis, Coronado Orange Ave, Frankiszaner Hefe, etc.

 

I converted my dad a couple years ago with Zombie Dust, given my location. He's never looked back and tries anything new he can get his hands on. He texts me a lot asking about certain beers b/c he wants to try everything. Same with my girlfriend last year, I got her with ZD.

 

For wine drinkers it's Rodenbach, for casual beer folks I'd say SNPA.

 

lagunitas sumptin sumptin.

or harpoon ipa.

 

Southern Tier Live
A great intro beer

 

It depends on the person's tastes. I tend to cater to their preexisting tastes. If they already like AALs and light beer, I'd recommend SN Nooner or some other good pilsner. If they are citrus junkies like me, go ahead and start them off with a pale ale. Yuengling and Shiner Bock are also great entry beers. Samuel Adams Boston Lager is also a fine example. Hefeweizens are a good beginner beers, too. Hell, if know this person loves coffee and/or chocolate, I'll recommend Guinness or SN Stout.

 

I've had good luck with Victory Prima Pils, Hoegaarden, and Dale's Pale. I've also made some converts with my homebrewed honey porter, Belgian wit, and saison. I'm currently drinking a Sierra Nevada Summerfest. I think this beer would work very nicely also.

 

I guess you could say I "converted" my girlfriend with Kellerweis, Weihenstephaner Hefe, SA Boston Lager, Fat Tire, Alaskan Amber, and to some extent even La Fin Du Monde. She continues to loathe anything hop-forward, especially if bitterness is a factor.

Unfortunately, I don't think it was a conversion so much as a series of mini eye-opening, "Ah ha" moments that changed her mind from "Beer is swill" to "Beer can be pretty tasty". Though she still prefers hard booze and wine, I'll take her epiphany as newfound respect, and that's ok with me.