Introduction Craft Beers

The Sam Adams/Harpoon variety 12-packs are usually pretty solid tbh.

The Harpoon Fall mix pack just came out and has the Rye IPA, Oktoberfest, UFO Pumpkin, and Harpoon IPA.
I haven't seen the Sam Adams Fall pack yet (if it's not out already, it'll be out within the next week or two), but the Summer variety has the Summer Ale, a Kolsch, Belgian session, Cherry Wheat, Noble Pils, and Boston Lager.

Together, those 2 packs represent a large variety of styles and are mostly beginner friendly. Plus you get 24 beers for probably less than $1.50 per 12oz.

 

If you wanted to go a bit deeper, I'd recommend grabbing a few different styles. Not every person that likes craft beer likes every style, and some styles are an acquired taste.

I'd grab a fresh (bottled within 2 months) non-pine or bitter-oriented IPA. Something like Jack's Abby Hoponious Union or Pretty Things Meadowlark. IPA's showcase the high levels of flavor possible with craft that just aren't found in macros.

I'd add to that maybe a classic German hefeweizen like Weihenstephaner, which is a bit more of a crowd-pleasing style.

If you wanted another, I'd grab something darker like a stout or porter, maybe flavored with coffee or chocolate. Founders Breakfast Stout just came out, or Southern Tier Choklat should be still around.

 

A Widmer Summer mixed 12 pack have a nice range of introductory styles. Starting off with the innofensive in anyway hefeweizen, a nice citra blonde summer, drifter pale ale (not bitter at all, but hoppy), and a mellow IPA. All are well made for what they are going for. I would also throw in a Ipswich Oatmeal stout for introduction to the dark side and to give their palate a little shock - sometimes this is necessary just to wake up their mind.

 

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Pack, nice mix of styles and won't break the bank.

 

If they live in Boston I'd be surprised if they haven't had a Sam Adams yet.
What kind of beers do they typically drink? BMC?
DFH 60 Minute IPA seems like a nice starting point if they are familiar with Sam Adams brews, if not go with Sammy.
If you think they'd like Belgian ales maybe Ommegang Hennepin, I think that's there lightest one.
Or throw caution to the wind and get them some Hill Farmstead, if they don't like it more beer for you!

 

this is exactly what you DON'T want to buy. isn't this 12pk hovering around $20 and full of experimental styles? did you read the post?

 

It's a bit tamer this year, but still a bit more expensive than most 12-packs. Oatmeal stout, Imperial Pilsner, Imperial Red, and a floral IPA.

 

tame for beer geeks maybe, but not for "introductory craft beers" as the op initially stated. don't get me wrong, this 12pk is cool, but not for the purposes of this thread. is there really more of esoteric craft 12pk than this?

 

Last year's . Juniper Black Ale, Double IPA, Weizenbock, and Californian Common.

 

you're comparing the "tameness" of this year's variety pack vs last year, not to other regularly available introductory mix 12pks.

 

No didn't read the post....Maybe I should have recommended a quality sampler pack like Dundee or Saranac??? Those would be a great first experience in craft unlike that crappy Sierra Nevada pack.

 

Ipswich Mix pack - Original (English Pale), IPA (English style IPA), Oatmeal Stout & Dark Ale. Aside from the Dark Ale (which I don't particularly care for, but others do), some impressive beers for the styles.

I'd also throw in some Wiehenstephaner .5L bottles - Vitus and Hefe. Masterfully made and hallmarks of the weizenbock and hefeweiss styles.

All these beers should be easy to get your hands on and affordable.

 

much better.

 

Some good "gateway" beers I typically bring to gatherings where people are open-minded about trying new beers but would have a hard time with a double IPA:
DFH 60 minute
Dale's Pale Ale
Smuttynose IPA
Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale
Scrimshaw Pilsner
Victory Prima Pils
Ipswich Original Ale
MBC Peeper Ale

 

These answers are emphasizing ales, but if they're coming from BMC country you might do better to pick up some lagers instead.

Maybe some Weihenstephaner Original (or some other good German helles), Sam Adams Noble Pils, Jack's Abby Jabbybrau, etc.

 

I don't think the mix pack with Oatmeal Stout has replaced the summer mix pack yet.

 

I would go with some of the Jack's Abby products. You get the smoothness and approachability from a lager based beer but get some introduction to sweeter malts or citrus-forward hops or a little smokiness. I would grab some Jabbybrau, Hoponious, and a Smoke & Dagger. Readily available and inexpensive to boot.

Another good gateway brew is Rogues Hazelnut Brown. I'll throw in another vote for the Ipswich Oatmeal too.

 

The six pack you want is:

Anchor Steam
Sam Adams Noble Pils
Long Trail Pale Ale
Six Point Sweet Action
Mayflower Porter
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog