Help me choose my next beer style

I would say that Porters would be a "baby step" towards stouts.

 

Saison?

 

For something completely different, I'd start on saisons/farmhouse ales.

For something less different, I'd start on that mysterious catch-all category of "strong ales," by which you can explore maltiness, often in addition to hoppiness.

 

American wild ales? Go pick up some Russian River and Crooked Stave. Mmmmmmmm... brett.

 

Just try everything. A 4 oz. sample of a stout isn't gonna kill you; some are even hoppy.

 

Agreed. Given that you (OP) enjoy IPAs, strong ales would be a good stepping stone to exploring styles w/ bolder, more complex profiles.

As for other style recommendations, I'd go w/ a porter, nut brown, ESB, or winter warmer (tis the season)...

 

Depends on what your looking for.. the only 'next step' in terms of IPA would technically be the Imperial IPA style. But the beauty of beer is that there is so much to offer. Try a low abv. Southern English Brown on cask or a Robust American porter, or the delicate intricacies of a Munich Helles or the tang funk of a Berlinerweiss. I don't recommend secluding yourself in any one domain. That defeats, for me at least, the beauty of beer. Cheers

 

I always enjoy a good brown ale in the Fall myself. That should set you on a good course towards porters and finally stouts during the winter months.

 

+3 on the american strong ale recommendation. That style is such a wide open book, from malty to hoppy. Also since the amount of malts/hops used in this style are greater, their flavors are more pronounced. Alcohol % is up so you'll get to see how that effects the flavor, IMO it's a good way to gauge a brewery, Whether they meld the alcohol into the taste or if it ends up being just an overbearing booziness.

By your avatar pic it looks like you've dabbled in this style already, so it wouldn't be anything to wild. You've already tried Arrogant Bastard, which is an amazing example of the style. Maybe try Double Bastard next which is just a more extreme variant of AB. Then try Lucky Bastard, which is a mix of AB, Oaked AB, and DB, and IMO, the best of the bastards.

 

Imperial Ambers

 

Hmm, i don't think i've ever had one...

 

Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Quad
German Pils
Belgian Pale Ale...
Try 'em all!

 

Maybe American Barleywines. I'm big into IPAs and recently tried Avery Hog Heaven which made me eager to get into more Barleywines.

 

Kriek.

 

Get into Sours. They are the best!

 

Doppelbocks.

 

Sours! They have big, bright flavors that a hop head can appreciate(not hoppy though, lol)

 

Barleywines (american & english) & old ales.