New Guy looking for advice.

Easiest thing to do is look for seasonal/craft packs from breweries to get a good sample size of beers fast. After you find a style you like explore the offers of that style from different breweries. Maybe grabbed a "big" bottle or two of different styles to sample when you feel like something new.

 

First: Welcome to BA. You'll find that this is a place full of passionate people who are (largely) interested in learning about and discussing all things beer. As this is the internet, please bear in mind that some people will take themselves and their opinions too seriously. Never be afraid to ask questions, and never take criticisms of your taste (like being chastised for enjoying Killian's) seriously.

Second: Try as many beer styles as you can. The best education in beer is to expose yourself to several styles. Is there somewhere you can buy single 12oz bottles or mixed six packs near you? If so, go to town.

Third: Wherever you are from, follow your local region's forum. This is where you can find out about events in your area and meet people. In all truth, some of the best friends I have currently are people that I met at events or places that I learned about here on BA.

Lastly: High five, bro.

 

At some point we have all had favorites like Negra Modelo, Shocktop and Blue Moon before moving on to other craft beers. Everyone gets started somewhere. I know for me it was Blue Moon. It's comments like this that make me dislike some of you on here.

 

I can say that Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was probably the first craft beer I had. I happened to get drunk off it to the point of being sick and have a hard time drinking it now. That was when I was 19 and hadn't quite grasped drinking like an adult. It is a good beer though. I think Fat Tire is another good choice for people getting into craft beer. New Belgium and Sierra Nevada beers are available almost everywhere. Sam Adams is another good one.

Since you're in the military you have the chance unlike a lot of us to get around to different places. I would say use the beer ratings for different regions and countries to find out what's good. Also use it to track down liquor stores and restaurants. I think most decent restaurants are starting to carry more craft beers on tap, so I would recommend starting at a good bar. Most places will let you sample something too. A lot of liquor stores have mix your own six packs which is a great way to experiment.

My own advice for newbies is to stay away from Russian Imperial Stouts, Belgians, Imperial/Double anything, and most importantly individual bottles costing close to or over $10. You really have to develop your palate to appreciate certain styles of beers. Some people are mentioning things that taste good to us now like Old Rasputin RIS, but if you gave that to me when I started out I would've been disgusted. Experimentation is key. My last piece of advice beers are not created equal. I might like a certain beer style made from this company, but that is no guarantee I'm going to like that same style made from a different company.

 

Seeing what type of beers you currently enjoy it seems like your taste for hops hasn't fully developed and that is perfectly fine. I would suggest trying as many different styles of low bitterness beers, I would try anything under 60 IBUs. The beers most of my new to craft beer friends stick to are Odell Easy Street Wheat, Odell Levity, New Belgium Sunshine and New Belgium 1554. New Belgium will be pretty easy to find but depending on where you live Odell might be a little harder to track down.

 

My post wasn't intended as a criticism or indictment of your BA-ness; sorry if it came off that way. I've been into beer for 10-12 years and only joined BA recently, so I definitely agree you can do it without this (or any) site. My only point was that there's plenty of experience here to help him out. Sounds like you're fighting the good fight in real life, anyway. Keep up the good work.

 

Ranger IPA by New Belgium was my first IPA and absolutely hated it and completely turned me off the to style, fast forward almost two years later and it's seriously one of my favorite styles. I actually had Ranger again for the first time since then and it was nothing like how I remember it. You'll have that "Ah-ha!" moment-- there will be that "one beer" that turned you onto ----- style. It's really an awesome experience. Enjoy the ride!

 

Didn't see this as a suggestion yet, so if you're able, take as many brewery tours as possible. This was how I got into craft beer, and most tours are inexpensive and will provide you with the opportunity to try several different beers and learn about the brewing process at the same time.

 

DEFINITELY keep trying IPA's!!! Hated them for the longest time and my tastes took such a change recently! I cannot get enough of them now! In fact so much that I cant get into my other favorite styles right now! So, def keep getting mixed sixers and trying all different styles AND breweries! It's a joyous ride! Welcome and CHEERS! :-)

 

Santa Fe Brewing Co does some really good beers. Their Java Stout is excellent, but the nut brown ale and Happy Camper IPA would be good places to start too. I know ODell gets distributed in your area as well, and I'd recommend the 90 Schilling and the Red Ale.

Start slow, have fun, and stay the heck away from sour beers if you want to keep any of your money.....

 

lol my dad was born in Las Cruces and raised in Mimbres...anyway good thing to do it just start with an easy beer usually wits are good for beginners. My gateway beer was Hoegaarden which im not proud to admit

 

You'll quickly learn the difference between beer snobs and beer advocates. Ignore the snobs, embrace the geeks and drink lots of different styles.

 

From Beer Advocate:
This style of beer is a lot older than many think, and in one form or another, it has been around for over 400 years.

 

As ColoradoBob would say:
VVV
III
TTT
UUU
SSS
!!!

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/252/35625

 

dude likes some good beers, lay off him, see? Nothing wrong with those brews. Who feels the need to lie about what they drink? Weirdos, that's who.

@brplatz- check to see if there are any local brewpubs near you- they often have fresh local beer on tap and will give you tasters/samplers- a great way to try a lot of styles.

 

Welcome,

Pretty new to BA myself. However, in my opinion, if you're a member of this sight, you're probably more aquainted with beer than you think. One suggestion would be to stop by some local liquor stores and ask for the microbrew section and start from there. From most of the post I read, we're all pretty much beer lovers here, and a few of us just like to get shitfaced...Regardless, of your reason for joining, if you truly are a beer lover, there is definitely a tremendous amount of knowledge being distributed here everyday.

 

Are you ever in Alamogordo area? With the German Air Force at Holloman you can get some descent German beers in the area.

I will be 35 on Sunday and didn't appreciate beer until last year when the wife and I moved to Germany. My go to beer is Weihenstephaner Hefe as others have said to try. This was the beer that made me understand not all beers are created equal. I will always have this in the fridge if I can buy it. I have become a huge Belgian beer fan as well from living in Europe. I agree with trying different things as your tastes will differ from mine.

Personally I am looking forward to going back to the States. I have a incredible amount of beers to try that I did not appreciate when I was back home. Some I will love, some not. Enjoy your journey.

 

And I remember when I adored Guinness Draught. I think many of us BAs have beers like that, and I think the OP should be commended for wanting to branch out further.

 

IPA's are an acquired taste like coffee in my opinion. I hated IPA's when I first started, but they are easily one of my favorite styles now.

 

Welcome to BA and more importantly thanks for you service! I have been drinking craft for more than a few years now and still haven't been able to enjoy the IPA craze, so if it never happens for you don't sweat it. There are a shit ton of other options to enjoy (I believe I started out with amber and brown ales and then moved onto the heavier porters and stouts). Can't recommend much more than what others have already stated, I know in the beginning I lived and died by the mix a six. Typically I would try to buy 6 different beers of the same style and would just figure out my favorites in the group. After doing this for a period of time you will easily find brews that will become a permanent commodity in the fridge. Good luck and enjoy the ride!