Help Me Find A New Beer

Hi there. Welcome to Beer Advocate!

I think a good way to segue into "craft" beer is to start with some sort of hefeweizen (which is seems you haven't tried). Blue Moon would be one of the most commercial and easily accessible versions of this style, but it's not a very good beer (at all). I would suggest Hogaarden if you can find it. Around here, they have it in the grocery store even.

IPAs are on the bitter side. It's like you went from being a tea drinker (Michelob) to drinking espresso (IPA), while skipping everything in between. Eventually, your palate will probably adjust and crave the hoppier (bitter) stuff, but that's a ways away. Try to start with the hefeweizen (or white ale or witbier, they're all similar), and see where you go from there.

Another great way to get into it is with Belgian beer. I think this is the natural progression for many people. Belgians tend to be well-balanced, nicely carbonated, refreshing, and just ever so slightly sweet/fruity. I'd suggest going to a "bottle shop" or some other place that sells microbrews, and ask what Belgians they'd recommend.

FYI, pretty much all the beers you listed as trying are just versions of the same exact thing. They're mostly all categorized as "American/Euro Adjunct Lagers," which tend to be pale, watery, and flavorless, imo.

Anyway, feel free to ask if you have more questions, as I'd be happy to help! Also, don't hesitate to post in the "beer talk" forum, as you'll get a lot more feedback there.

 

Most of what you have listed are light lagers, so I would try a real lager like a German or Czech styler pilser. They will have a similar flavor profile but without being watered down.

 

If you want to Lagers, go to Great Lakes Dortmunder. Its not an NC beer, but an incredible beer. Great Lakes Eliot Ness is a bit more caramel forward, but still smooth as hell. If you dont see any of those, Ill raise hell with Amanda to get it your way.

 

OP if you are in North WNC then you have to be somewhere close to me! Come on by the shop sometime (Peabody's) and we'll walk through some things, I know that I can find ya' something that is right up your alley! I also do free tastings every Tuesday, that will give you a chance to try all kinds of different goodies, Some you may like, some you won't, but it's a great chance to learn! Come on by!

Chris

 

Fat Tire would be a good start

 

I second alysmith4's information. I didn't know I liked beer until I had a belgian style beer. That quickly opened me up into other styles.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/252/731) may be a good one to try as it's a highly rated German hefeweizen ... and super tasty too!

 

Boone, just down the road from ya'! Hwy 105 right across from the Sagebrush and Hampton Inn, Can't miss the big sign! Come on by, or shoot me a conversation and we'll work out a time to come down!

Chris

 

Seriously brother, come in and see me, I promise we'll find your "happy sip". Let us help you start ,and enjoy the process, seriously......short drive....come see me

Chris