Good Intro Craft Beer?

I think that Rouge Dead Guy Ale is a great intro into the world of craft beer. It was one of the first ones that I started drinking when I was first getting into craft and loved it.

 

Who said anything about liking darker or heavier stuff? I am just saying that you shouldn't jump to the conclusion that women always prefer the sweeter-fruity beers.

 

I think Sam Adams is the easiest transitional gateway for most people since the beers are everywhere and there are lots of flavor/style options and they better than macro but not so robust or daring that they turn off the uncultured palate. It's craft for the masses.

While the thing about women and sweeter beers may or may not be true, I think that a beer with a familiar element can help anyone new to beer appreciate the flavors. Like a lemon wedge squeezed into a Hoegaarden, for example, or going full shandy. People know lemon, they like lemon, and it serves as an ambassador to a new country. Then later they can remove that crutch once they've developed an appreciation for beer in its own right. It's kind of like with cocktails. Most people would not start off with whiskey neat, but after a while drinking very accessible and forgiving whiskey sours, they can get to a point where they drop the mixer. So Abita Strawberry like you mentioned would be a great ambassador. Other things with fruit or familiar flavorings normally found in other settings would be good too. A caramelly, smooth, malty, mild oatmeal stout without much char or coffee flavors could do the same kind of thing.

With all of that said, if she's not a beer person, it might be kind of forcing it to push it on her on a night that's supposed to just be fun.

 

What got me started was Bell's Oberon. Perfect time for it as well! Great Summer beer, although I understand it's not Summer yet.... It was over 80 deg today! I don't drink it anymore, but I think a lot of chicks do.

 

If they were heavily into macro beers, I would first introduce them to new belgiums shift pale lager, and then maybe sierra nevada's summerfest.

 

Odell's 90 Schilling
Odell's Levity
Bell's Amber
Anchor Steam
Breckenridge's Avalance
Rogue's Dead Guy
Rogue's Hazelnut Brown Nectar
New Belgium's Fat Tire

 

if your doing the whole sweet or wheat thing do harpoon raspberry UFO. Ommegang Rare Vos is good - one anyone can enjoy. cream ales like six point sweet action..

gonna go out on a limb here cause i've gotten people down the slippery slope that is craft beer on belgian strong darks. if unibroue terrible is around id reccomend that for sure.

 

Anchor Steam would be a great introduction to craft beer for the uninitiated and too be honest many of the veterans members of this site. It is rather easy to go overboard with big, intense beers and lose sight of how great a relatively simple beer like Anchor Steam is.

I also agree with the suggestions of hitting a local brewery.

 

Get her a Gumballhead

 

Gonna have to second Magic Hat #9, the Magic Hat line is the one that did me in. The summer sampler pack right now would be a pretty good introduction to a beginner.

 

Fat Tire
Allagash
**EDIT didn't see you were in OH

I saw someone suggest Dead Guy, I agree with that

 

Great River's Roller Dam Red. had it for the first time thanks to graniteskunk and couldn't have been more impressed.

 

To all those who have mentioned Anchor Steam, I salute you.

 

FAT TIRE!!
i really think this is a good start......its what got me into beer because its a little sweet and perfectly balanced.

 

Anchor Steam is one of those beers I never buy. Then when I have one I am reminded how good it is.
I am going to pick some up tomorrow.

 

Dark Lord or perhaps Tactical Nuclear Penguin.