Go-To Convert Beer

Not much of an evangelist, so to speak - I'll offer to let my friends try something good that I have just to see if they like it, but no need to push something onto someone that just isn't interested. That said... the one that converted my ex was a local wheat beer - Weizengoot by the Bier Brewery. Simple, sweet and nothing complex, but very tasty. His first reaction was "I didn't know beer could taste like this!"

 

Anything Wehenstephaner--The hefeweissbier is what I was thinking of when I saw this. Nice and clean flavors.

 

The first one that came to mind was Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale. To me, it's one of the most delicious, well-balanced ales out there that not's upwards of 10% or a sour.

 

Do you not believe that an ale can be delicious and well balanced unless it's 10%, a sour, or Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin?

 

Hefeweizens or any wheat beer. We have a local brewery here in Iowa, exile that makes great beers for the entry level craft beer drinker and hell their hefeweizen Hannah is still one of my favorites. They have been improving at making more than just the traditional German styles they began with and they are worth keeping your eye on.

 

No, but for someone who is used to drinking BMC, I think wilds ales, sours, and imperial anythings would be off-putting initially. I just meant that I think LSS is a good transitional beer, much like SNPA.

 

SNPA is a common answer in threads like this, but I think many (most?) would be turned off by the bitterness. I know the IBUs aren't that high, but there are plenty of malty DIPAs and IPAs that come across less bitter to my palate. Same goes more so for Dale's, which is an IPA in all but name. The majority doesn't seek a lot of bitterness in their food or non-beer beverages, so craft drinkers sometimes forget it's an acquired and polarizing taste.

I was converted by hefeweizens and wits, with other Belgium-styles and Sam Adams BA secondary players. I imagine Berliner Weisses and Goses would have also done the trick if I was exposed to them sooner.

 

Got everyone I live with into it. My friend would only drink bud light now his favorite beer is cantillon Kriek

 

Fresh squeezed always wins. Not too bitter but still packs a punch. Nice juicy sweetness to it. Really good starter to help comvert.

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Lagunitas IPA.

 

True! If you can get a newbie past the idea of a stout or Porter being a "heavy" brew (I always hear that from newbies) you can close the deal.

 

lauganitas brown shugga, punch em in their sweet tooth

 

Sweetwater 420 is a perfectly good intro beer

 

Newcastle showed me that all beer doesn't taste like Coors. I thought it tasted like berries when I was 16. No way I get that now. Sam Adams Boston Lager tasted delicious around that time as well. Both are fine stepping stones, in my estimation.

 

For my wife, it was Old Rasputin. A RIS was a new experience.

 

Isn't this the reason Blue Moon exists? Basically everyone I've talked to drinking that is interested in branching out more.

 

Hop Hunter

 

I don't want to convert anyone. If so it means less beer for all of us in this game.

 

I have had good luck with hefewissen and wizenbock beers, particularly with Schneider Weisse. I started a few friends off with something simple, like Tap 7, and then pulled them toward Tap 6 and Tap 5 (one of my absolute favorites). Once I get them hooked on those, I have found that going with porters and stouts tends to work better. Most of my friends are still weary of IPA style beers. Takes a while, but they start to warm up. If I would make a list of styles to use it would be something like:

hefewissen or a quality lager
porters and stouts
Belgium (more common ones like Lefe, also had good luck with Delirium)
Trappist style
Pale Ales
IPAs

after that, they will try pretty much anything.

 

Or more breweries flourishing with more options, increasing production, and passing economy of scale savings on to consumers