IPA with training wheels?

Yeah, I think this is your last chance. Should be easy to pick up a six pack of All Day.

 

Centennial is a very delicate hop more tangerine citrus than Grapefruit, so it's not quite as bitter ,just as easily Racer 5 or Centennial would also be quite similar and are good choices too. But Two Hearted is so easy to get very fresh most places.

 

But he REALLY wants to like it.

 

DFH 90 Min and Terrapin Hopsecutioner....both have big malt backbones which balance out their hops for an inexperienced palate

 

I was one of those people who couldn't choke down an IPA for the longest time and even found some Pale Ales to be way too hoppy but it did click one day after thoroughly exploring the style. However, it is still the style I seem to be most finicky with, I typically do not have a desire to session them (even the lower ABV ones), and I need to be in the mood for them anymore after going through a phase where I started to drink pretty much nothing but IPAs and hoppier beers...recently I have had no desire for an IPA at all and the last one I had a few days ago I barely finished; I am assuming I may have burned myself out a bit.

I agree with your willingness to keep trying and that is how I discovered some gems along the way however, it may still not be your favorite style or one you gravitate towards often. And there is nothing wrong with that and that may even be a good thing in my book, as folks like us are the ones that will help keep the maltier and more balanced beers alive. ;-)

 

Deschutes Chainbreaker was my light switch. I hated IPAs just like you and refused to drink them, after I had Chainbreaker it was over. I liked it so much I started trying other white IPAs and then made the jump to regular IPAs.

 

Founders All Day. An IPA with training wheels is a perfect description for that beer.

 

This is it. If you don't like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, you are not ready for IPAs. Dogfish head 60 when you're ready to start.

There are still times when I'm not feeling an IPA, others when they're amazing. Another problem is the style varies greatly. So like mentioned start with more maltier ones. The taste buds adapt and change. there are beers I couldn't stand, year or so later loved.

 

I'm a stout-lover through and through. That's how I became a beer fan. So, I can empathize with you. I discovered Lagunitas Sucks which I actually love (like drinking grapefruit scented beer IMO). You might try that one..I also just purchased some Dogfish Head 90 Minute which I hope I will like as well. Best advice: drink what you like..experiment slowly with other types.

 

If you can get your hands on Ithaca Flower Power I highly recommend adding that one to the list as well.

 

The OP is in Missouri, no FP outside NY/NJ area i suppose.

 

Anchor Liberty Ale - The "Original" IPA

 

Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale and Lagunitas IPA are equally well made and delicious. Simpler than many modern similar examples, I love theses two beers.

 

That rewrites the history books

 

Since you're in MO, you really don't have to look beyond your back door for a couple of "gateway" IPA's. I'd suggest two other locals that haven't been mentioned yet: O'Fallon's 5-Day IPA (get it on draft for the best assessment of the beer--if you're in STL, both iTap Soulard and Nick's Pub has it on tap right now) and 4 Hands' Divided Sky.

 

90 minute / other malty or sweet IPAs.

 

That sucks and I figured, and hence why I said, "If you can get your hands on..." and I wasn't sure if the OP was into trading, or had family who could score him a bottle, or travels and would happen to come across it someday, or...