training my palate

If you don't like hops. Try a gruit style beer. They have no hops.
I think you do like hops, since you like beer. Your palate just hasn't been trained yet for in your face IPAs.
I wouldn't rule them out.

 

I would probably start with ales, lagers, etc. Stuff that you're probably a little more familiar with. You can try less hoppy IPAs, as your palate probably won't mind, but you'll need to have someone with you who can tell you which ones are pretty mellow on hops.

Also, unless you like drinking bourbon, I'd stay away from BBA stouts for a while; if you try them too soon, they'll just taste like super-intense alcoholic soy sauce (my first encounter with BCBS, which is now one of my favorite beers). Hell, even regular russian imperial stouts are probably too much initially, so work up to them.

 

I always recommend Hefeweizens and Witbiers. They're light, easy to drink, with minimal hoppiness. Try Weihenstephaner, Ayinger, Yuenglin Summer Wheat, DFH Namaste, Shiner White Wing, and/or Franziskaner.

 

Well that narrows it down!

 

made me lol