How to get started with craft

If you're not much into bitter beers yet (that'll come with time) I'd recommend wheat beers. Try Weihenstephaner Heffeweisbier, allagash white, dogfish head namaste, and ayinger Hefeweizen.

 

Blonde Ales are also very tasty, not bitter, and easy to find.

You are doing well to buy whole six packs. There are many beers that I didn't care for at first but I started really liking after a glass or two. For this reason, I avoid samples or flights. I think a 1/2 pint should be the minimum serving to really try a new beer.

 

I started off by holding my own "Beerfests" in my garage. Go to the store, grab a mix a six with stuff you'd like to try and invite some friends over and tell them to do the same. I've literally tried hundreds of beers that way....

 

I think its important not to write off a style unless you've had a lot of different beers within it and just know its not for you. When you're drinking well made beer its amazing the diversity you'll find even within a certain style.

 

Agreed, and I'd expand on that to advise revisiting styles you might not have like initially. Some of my favorite styles today did not impress me off the bat, but after allowing some time to pass while working through other styles, I returned with a new appreciation.

 

Lol at this, especially the last sentence.

 

Of course you are going to have your favorite styles of beer. But I would urge you to try all styles as this will expand your palate and be a good learning lesson in craft beer. Also, when you go buy beer at the store, I would do a mix 6 pack. Hell, even when you are at the bar switch it up. This will not only give you variety, but you will be trying new breweries and maybe some new styles. Hell I have been an advocate for two years now, and I still do mixed 6 packs. As a result, I have tried many different beers. Cheers and party on!

 

You mentioned that SNPA was a little too hoppy for you at first. That will go away as you try more and more pale ales, india pale ales and finally, imperial pale ales. Most hop heads I know don't taste the bitterness anymore. When you get more used to it, and since you mentioned you have access, you must try Cigar City Jai Alai, Fat Head's Headhunter and Hop Juju, Founder's Centennial Ale and Bell's Two Hearted Ale and Hopslam. Those brews are regarded by many as some of the best IPA/IIPA you can get your hands on. Bell's Two Hearted Ale is my all-time favorite beer and I highly recommend it looking for an awesome east coast style single IPA.

Also, keep your eyes open for Duvel, Delirium Tremens, Chimay (red), Old Engine Oil, Old Rasputin, Little Sumpin Sumpin, Pliny the Elder, Founders Breakfast Stout, Ten Fidy, Founders Porter, Oberon, Ruination. If any of these are available in your area, make it a point to try them, when you are ready. Some BAs might not agree on the beer I recommended, they will not argue that they are spectacular for their own respective styles.

 

Also many bottle shops (including total wine) will let you break up a pack so come home with a sixxer of six different beers.

 

I would go to the beer styles section here in B.A. Take a look at each one and try to find one or two examples in your area. This way, you are trying all kinds of styles from different places.

 

If you have a bottle shop or grocery store that lets you "build-a-six", then do that with a couple things you want to try. You'll save money and time that way figuring out what's good and what's not.

 

This site of course is great....there are others as well.......Maybe start with "styles" first and grab some of the "true to style" brews in each so you have a foundation...... When you get to the Hoppy stuff see if you can get single hop brews so you get an idea what each particular hop tastes like....find some good beers stores and get to know the employees....also see if there are any brew clubs in your area, you might not be or even want to brew your own right now but chances are they'll have some pretty good info on beer!...... Have Fun!!!!!!....... Cheers

 

Also, get to know your local bottle shop. They may have additional recommendations for you based on their stock.

 

Keep an eye out for beer tastings at local liquor stores. Sometimes grocery stores have them, where they are run by distributors looking to market the beers they carry. Sometimes you have to pay a small fee for the tasting, but it's money well spent.

Also, when you go into a bar or restaurant and you see tap handles you've never seen before, ask the bartender about them. They can usually give you some good info as to which beers taste like what. I've experienced it more than a few times where I've just been talking to the bartender about their different beers and they offer a tasting for free. It's usually only about 2 ounces, but that's more than enough to see if you like a beer. Alternatively, if you ask, many bartenders and wait staff will offer a small taster for free. Just don't expect to be able to sample the entire lineup. Usually, about 2 samples is the most you can ask for. After that, it looks like you're trying to mooch free beer.

 

Nice, welcome to the obsession. I think the posts people have made here are pretty dang accurate, I'd also recommend doing a little light reading to get to know what you're talking about.

If you like history, few books will beat Maureen Ogle's "Ambitious Brew" or Tom Acitelli's "The Audacity of Hops"
If you want to brew your own, pick up Ray Daniels' "Designing Great Beers" or "How to Brew" By John Palmer
There are a few great books about specific styles on the Brewers Publications list
And some breweries tell their own stories in books liks Steve Hindy's "The Craft Beer Revolution"
And of course, I've got to plug my own book - "We Make Beer" coming out on Sept. 23. (amazon link)
BeerAdvocate columnist Andy Crouch does a great job in "Great American Craft Beer" as well

Shameless self-promotions aside, there's a ton of awesome reading material out there that will get you hooked even deeper into the craft beer world.

 

you will hit some duds along the way but that's part of the fun
my all time to try for the first time is the Avery ... Maharaja

 

in Cocoa beach the Florida Beer company has a pretty cool tap room to try out some beer

 

Not sure where in Florida you are, but if anywhere near Boca Raton then head over to The Funk Buddha (2621 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL)

If you up near Tampa head to Cigar City

 

It's a natural progression, much like females there is a bunch of hand holding between your 1st kiss and marriage
Nebbie

 

Sam Adams are great gateway beers and good introductions to other styles that aren't overly-flavorful for a new craft drinker.