Sampling Session for Beer Rookie Suggestions

Macro > Pils > Hefe > Flavored Wheat > Amber > APA > IPA > DIPA > Porter > Stout

Keep it basic, nothing fancy. Save Belgians for another day.

Find which style he likes. Then have another tasting on a diff day of that style with a spectrum of brands to showcase quality and value.

 

I would go Victory Prima Pils, Franzikaner Hefe-Weizen, Fullers ESB, Tripel Karmeleit, Einbecker Schwarzbier, and Rogue Shakespeare Stout- and some good fresh local IPA to throw in that mix. I know what order I prefer, but how can you go wrong? Cheers.

 

I think you've made some nice suggestions. While I might pick some other beers for a first time sampler, I would just be quibbling over details. The thing to remember is this person has been drinking a beer where he really hasn't tasted hops. He "could" be turned off from craft completely by more intense flavor. I think you are suggesting how to begin the journey, not the destination. The only thing I would add is that if he is going to sample multiple beers is that he go someplace where he can do a mix six pack (or two) and that he and his friend split each beer so that they are still able to taste that last sample.

 

I would venture to suggest staying local, and just offer stuff from Troegs and Victory (and whatever else is great in PA; I'm not from there so I have no idea). Between those two breweries you get lots of good representations of almost any style. Then later on you can have nationally themed tastings - German, Belgian, etc.

Maybe avoid some of the big beers and top-250s for now, so you can give your friend something to look to when he inevitably becomes a convert. Hopback, Prima, Javahead, Golden Monkey, Dreamweaver, Hop Devil, Troegenator, Swing.

 

Don't just give him a beer, tell the story behind the beer. He will be more receptive.

 

I second (third, fourth, fifth?) what some BAs have been saying about avoiding big crazy beers. The first time I had a bitter beer at all (Goose Island Honker's Ale), I couldn't finish it. Before then my beer experience was limited to whatever was in beerpong cups, which tended to be keystone or PBR.

If your friend is only used to that, you need to use that as your logical starting point and not stray too far from it. Anything more than SNPA might be "too hoppy" for the unfamiliar- I know when I had my first hoppy beer I thought I was sucking on a bottle of flowers, and while it was good, was just weird. I didn't think it tasted like "beer" at first.

I'm a college kid and when I put together "intro to craft" sampler packs for those of age who are interested, here's what I normally do:

1) Bell's Oberon/Goose Island 312. A pale wheat/wit is going to be familiar to a BMC drinker but add some nice subtle complexities. It'll tell them that craft beer isn't totally scary.

2) SNPA. Crank up the hops just a little bit so they can see what they taste like in a subtle, controlled manner. Use this as a starting point for further introductions to hoppy beers.

3) Maerzen. These are "Oktoberfest beers" which almost anyone, regardless of what they drink on a normal day, will try due to that association. This serves as a starting point to ambers, imperial reds, etc.

4) Guinness Extra Stout. Not your normal Guinness draft, but their next option up. A little boozier, a little thicker, incidentally the dirty brown head rather than the white creamy doesn't make the beer seem as dark. Draw attention to roasted coffee and chocolate flavors. Use this as the starting point for porters and stouts.

5) A beer from a local brewer that is also in an easy-to-approach style. Makes the connection between craft and community. In my case, I'll probably use Upland Wheat. Again, this is approachable and easily drinkable, and is, in fact, a repeat of an earlier style in this "six pack".

6) A German/Czech style pilsner. Pilsner Urquell or Prima Pils or Koenig Pils- something that is more-or-less similar to what they drink already (BMC), but ones that add layers of complexities they haven't tasted before. You can draw attention to bitterness, subdued hop notes, and crisp breadiness. Remind your friend this is what Natty Light, at some point long ago, was based on, and consider how low it's actually fallen.

 

An easy drive to Victory for a tasting sampler might be a one stop solution.

Prima Pils>Victory Lager>Uncle Teddy's>Headwaters>Golden Monkey>Hopdevil>Dirtwolf>Storm King

In small sizes for a reasonable charge!

 

I'd probably go with a craft pilsner (using German/Czech hops), a craft pale lager or alternatively a German Helles, a dunkel or Vienna lager, APA, AIPA, porter, and a UK bitter. For someone new to beer variety I'd think this would be a fun and educational line-up.

 

Some easily accessible and tasty craft beers that I have seen many macro drinkers enjoy are as follows:

Brooklyn Lager
Anchor Steam
Long Trail Ale
Sixpoint Sweet Action
Allagash White
Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout
Victory Headwaters

Have fun and congratulations on graduating from college. On my college graduation night I was "triple fisting" with a can of Bud Light, a Solo cup of some kind of vodka/rum spiked fruit punch and an entire bottle of champagne. This all came after funneling beers that were mixed with shots of Old Crow Whiskey. Jesus fucking christ.....

 

I'm not sure I would even include an ipa in that lineup. First time off natty, I would go easy on him.
Pilsner - mamas little yella pils
Hefe- weihenstephaner hefe
Wit - st b. White
Stout - left hand milk stout
Pale ale - mirror pond
English pale - firestone walker dba
It took me years to get into hoppy beers, but I hateed them for a while.

 

If you live right near Philly, I might recommend driving over to Media and checking out Pinoccio's. Great selection and you can buy singles. Plus great pizza.