What should I try?

Ha!

Well I would try some of the recommended styles, others have listed, from New Belgium, Sierra Nevada and Boulevard.

You may want to try a wheat beer...and Boulevard makes a pretty solid one.

 

I don't think this is a totally good idea.... For example, look at the top fifty IPAs. If our OP has to drive sixty miles to a decent brew shop, how many will be available. Hell, I haven't seen, or even heard of, half of the top 50 IPAs. And Heady is the number one beer on the list, right? Plus this....how many of the top rated beers on here fall into the "face melter" category? Yeah...you don't want something with a lousy rating,but the key is what is available and what won't be a turn off for someone just getting their feet wet. That is where the ratings are partially useful. Top ratings are controversial, but a bad beer is a bad beer for the most part.

Sierra Nevada has a broad range of styles and generally solid choices. TongoRad offered great advice as usual for several choices. You don't need to start at the mountaintop. Victory...agree with VictorWisc that the summer 12 is a little odd, but they are a solid brewer with a big range of offerings. Maybe a bit more experimental would be Lagunitas. I would avoid Rogue for reasons stated. Weihenstephaner - yup. Stick with the more mainstream offerings mostly, but why not include one or two of the more extreme styles? What's the worst can happen? You won't like it? Hmmmm...then again, if you do like it your wallet might not be happy...tough call which is worse!

Its a marathon, not a sprint. Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.

 

Oh-oh! I smell a target!!

Seriously, they placed Third Shift and ShockTop correctly, under "American Brews", right below Lime-a-ritas. But then you look under "American Micro-brew" and find this:

That's four fake micros by SABMiller (all mediocre or worse + overpriced) and one middling but tolerable one by Genessee (the closest to "craft" from that list and relatively cheap).

 

You said you're in the South. You might wanna mention which state/area. People could give you recmnds that are more specific. For example Abita is fairly well distributed in many of the southern states. Hell, even Mississippi has their offerings. Boulevard is pretty widely distributed too. As for the big ones, I agree with aforementioned Stone, Rogue, Sierra Nevada is a great one. Widmer has some very approachable beers for an explorer like yourself. And the Sam Adam's variety packs are a great way to start out, as mentioned by zid.

Venture Forth Young BA

 

Missed more!

You know, that "craft" beer went from economy to premium? Now owned by AB InBev? Not craft! Redd's is even worse.

And more:

Looks like Shock Top and Third Shift ended up in both categories. The good news is that they got New Belgium, Sierra Nevada and North Coast--two that have already been highly recommended on this thread and one that would qualify as a leap into craft. Plus Sam Adams Oktoberfest--you can always start there! Just be careful with their selection and claims...

 

Considering the beers you've had so far...start with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. If it's to bitter or too strong of a flavor, you might want to stick to German styles of beer.

Do not start with Stone. Seriously.

 

I actually like Redd's. A lot.

 

You're entitled to your own guilty pleasures--like an organo-locavor sneaking in a Big Mac before a big anti-Monsanto rally...

In any case, I really just meant it was another BMC Trojan Craft. Not trying to step on your taste.

 

You were smart enough to post a thread and a link to where you are going, I pray you are smart enough to tell the difference between shit (Shiner ect) and "better" beer (New Belgium ect)

 

As others have said, it would be a good idea to list your location on your profile as that would make it easier to make recommendations (SeekABrew will tell use what is available where you live). I did note that you didn't like boston Lager and your experience so far is with what most here refer to as AAL - American Adjunct Lager. That style results in a very light taste profile and if that is what you are used to drinking you may want to proceed slowing into the craft market. As it is summer I would suggest you try some of the widely available wheat beers or perhaps a hefeweisen. As your palate changes you will want to branch out to other styles.

 

Weihenstephaner. Who doesn't like the hefe weissbier? Great for the summer too.

 

Victory Prima Pils might good place to start if you can get beers from Victory; it is a great pilsner that should be pretty easy to drink for someone that is looking to start trying different beers. If not pick up a six pack of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, a solid beer and very easy to find.

 

IF you are close to a grocery store that offers "make your own 6 pack" start with that. Typically they charge 8 bucks and you can pick from about 30 different beers to make up one 6 pack. Get 6 styles and go home.. drink up!

 

I'll be Mr. Negative--it sounds like a great idea until you actually try it. If the store limits the selection for mixed packs, that means what's available is generally old/unsaleable or cheap filler that they actually make money on by doing it this way. But some stores, e.g., some Whole Foods, let you pick whatever you want, but charge for the contents, not a fixed price. A couple of Whole Foods I know allow you to break up multipacks and charge the price of the single that is 1/4 or 1/6 of the multipack. Others--most good bottle stores--will charge a significantly higher price for singles but will offer a discount on a mixed-six. The point is, unless you know what you're doing, you can end up with a selection of duds. And if they are old, you will have no real basis to judge the beer on. In a good store, you can often ask the beer guy to help you. If they don't have a beer guy... it's time to find another store.

Let's say the store marks up the singles by 30% over per-bottle price of a 6er, then gives you 15% discount on a full mixed-6. You get the benefit of choosing your own beer and the store gets the benefit of charging you about 10% more per-bottle.

PS: Here's an example of a well managed program

 

that is all definitely possible

 

another put-on, though this one actually thought of a name and used capitals letters and didn't sound like an idiot- but still a put-on.

 

Redds apple ale

 

If I were you I would try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or something a little different Killian's Irish Red to start out.

 

http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/index.html

Green Flash Hop Head Red
Boulevard
Ommegang
Sierra Nevada

 

I don't, I actually hate it. Like I would rather watch Twilight than drink that beer.