Help a guy who "doesn't drink beer" find something entry-level to enjoy?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by fmpatch, Feb 27, 2012.

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  1. BeerKangaroo

    BeerKangaroo Initiate (0) May 30, 2011 Alaska

    I say Old Rasputin, not that it seems to be my answer most of the time on these forums, but I do have to admit that it is very balanced and not overbearing on the aspects you are talking about. You said you would lean towards a Stout/Porter, so that is why I suggested that. Also, if you like the malted stuff like Smirnoff and all of that stuff - I would suggest Blue Moon's Winter Abbey Ale, it is a pure sugar fix - I think (I'm still trying to figure out why this is actually a beer).
     
    #41 BeerKangaroo, Feb 28, 2012
  2. TheJollyHop

    TheJollyHop Initiate (0) Sep 2, 2009 California

    Good calls. I would probably recommend some Belgian golden ales and doppelbocks to start out with as well.
     
    #42 TheJollyHop, Feb 28, 2012
  3. rogueleonardi

    rogueleonardi Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2012 Ohio

    Maybe because of the fun that beer geeks have? Think about it, all the tastings we go to, people we meet, beers we get to try. Everyday is a new adventure with a different beer. Can you really blame someone for wanting to get into this kind of life? I absolutely hated beer until I tried my first pumpkin ale 4 months ago, now I can't stop trying new beers, going to tastings, beer fests, and learning about all the different styles and culture behind craft beer.
     
    #43 rogueleonardi, Feb 28, 2012
  4. fmpatch

    fmpatch Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012

    Holy crap, people! That's a LOT of responses and suggestions, you guys are awesome!

    I'll sift through all these suggestions and see if I can find some beer I like. A couple direct replies seem in order, however, so here goes:

    ---------------------------------------------

    I live about three minutes away from what may be the most bar- and brewpub-saturated area of Indianapolis, so a few times I've gone into one and asked for some recommendations and samples. I think some of the other suggestions I've received should now help me narrow down my options a bit. The world of beer, as with anything obsession-inducing, is very broad and complex, and a guided approach generally works well for me, more so than random sampling.

    Three reasons:

    Ancestry. My heritage is primarily Scottish & German, two nations whose denizens have always taken great pride in their drinking abilities, and their abilities to craft superior beverages. Whiskey I've got down, but it irks me that I am, as of yet, unable to enjoy the ingurgitation of the more widely popular beverage of my ancestors.​

    ​
    Economy. I figure if I can ease my way into beer-drinking with some specialized beers, eventually my taste buds will adapt enough that I can go out to Dollar Beer Night and save some money, instead of watching other people save money as I shell out for my Cuba Libres and whiskey shots.​

    ​
    Geekery. Honestly, I've seen enough buzz about the growing Craft Beer movement that I wanted to see what the fuss is all about. Beer Geeks are leaving a larger digital footprint around the web these days, and I enjoy geeking out about something as much as the next guy, so who knows? Maybe this'll be my new thing!​

    I've actually seen this one come up quite a bit online while searching for something to suit my tastes, so I'll definitely be looking for it!

    ---------------------------------------------

    Once again, thanks for all the suggestions. I've seen Hefeweisen come up quite a bit in your responses, so I'll be on the lookout for it. Some of the "milk" or "chocolate" stouts suggested sound intriguing, as well. And once my taste buds have ascended to a higher plane, I look forward to telling you all about it!

    Cheers,

    fmpatch​
     
    #44 fmpatch, Feb 28, 2012
  5. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Oh, for sure, and now you prob. have a bit of an idea of what to look for. If you do make it to a place that has a ton of taps/samples, my advice would be- go when it's slow- say after lunch. Chat up the bartender and tell him that you're new to beer. Often times at a good bar the bartender will be able to feel out what you're looking for and make some suggestions. Sometimes you'll even get samples for free!
     
    #45 ShogoKawada, Feb 28, 2012
  6. Hoppsbabo

    Hoppsbabo Pooh-Bah (2,053) Jan 29, 2012 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Another for Weihenstephaner Hefeweizen.
     
    #46 Hoppsbabo, Mar 3, 2012
  7. mondegreen

    mondegreen Savant (1,013) Nov 4, 2009 Georgia

    If you like coffee, maybe seek out some coffee stouts:

    Founder's Breakfast Stout
    Terrapin WnB
    Southern Tier Jahva
    Bell's Java Stout
    etc...
     
    #47 mondegreen, Mar 3, 2012
  8. Element1290

    Element1290 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2011 Rhode Island
    Trader

    The beer that first got me into craft was La Fin Du Monde by Unibroue, same brewery that makes Don de Dieu (Saw someone mention that above). La Fin has to be one of the most balanced beers that I've ever had, and it's extremely drinkable. None of the flavors are excessive and it could be perfect.

    Good luck in your search! Hope you find happiness in a bottle like we all have lol
     
    #48 Element1290, Mar 3, 2012
  9. fx20736

    fx20736 Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2009 New York

    This is such an awesome response that I can only reply by using BA similes for the very first time

    :sunglasses: :slight_smile::wink: :stuck_out_tongue: :grinning:
     
    #49 fx20736, Mar 3, 2012
  10. azorie

    azorie Pooh-Bah (2,471) Mar 18, 2006 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    Yea and make some beer friends, learn about beer, buy this book.
    Tasting beer by Randy Mosher
     
    #50 azorie, Mar 3, 2012
  11. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    and throw in a st peters cream stout... these are like chocolate milk for alcoholics. LH nitro is the only beer i buy full sixers of.
     
    #51 SFACRKnight, Mar 3, 2012
  12. muletrane

    muletrane Initiate (0) Oct 26, 2006 Pennsylvania

    "New Castle Brown, it'll sure smack ya down"
     
    #52 muletrane, Mar 3, 2012
  13. woosterbill

    woosterbill Pooh-Bah (2,807) Apr 6, 2009 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    If you like coffee, go to Three Floyds brewpub the next time they have Hell's Black Intelligencer. Oh, and send me a growler while your at it. :slight_smile:
     
    #53 woosterbill, Mar 3, 2012
  14. MichPaul

    MichPaul Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2012 Michigan

    From your original post, it sounds to me like Porters would be your best option especially if you like Coffee like you say you do. Porters seem to generally be a bit weaker than Stouts, so you might want to start out there. Founders Porter is spectacular, and is a year round sale. To be honest, I actually hated Founders Porter after I tried my first of a freshly bought sixer. I didn't know how I was going to swallow the rest down. Then a day or 2 after the sixer was gone, I found myself desiring the taste again. Very strange experience for this to happen. After this, Porters and stouts have now become my all time faves!!!
    Almost a year ago, is when I first got into the craft beer world, and this was when I thought Coors Light had OH SO MUCH FLAVOR... Ha ha ha! Now I have broken into a whole new world.
    The beer I started with was actually Bell's Oberon:
    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/1094
    This got me hooked on craft beer. Next was Bell's Two Hearted Ale, which was just a bit hoppier, and it just escalated from there to where I now love some of the double IPAs.
    Now, my recommendation to you would be to try, if you can find it, Dogfish Head "Indian Brown".
    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/1161
    It's considered a "Brown Ale", but is very much like a Coffee beer. I guess it's brewed with Brown Sugar. It's FANTASTIC! I bought a sixer of it this week and have only tried 1 so far, but I was in HEAVEN! :slight_smile:
    Hope you keep updating us on how this search is going for you. Indian Brown was actually suggested in this topic, you might want to search it to see some other great Coffee beers!
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/whats-a-good-coffee-flavored-beer.1050/
    Enjoy!
     
    #54 MichPaul, Mar 3, 2012
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