What was you first Craft Brew?

1) Had a local craft brew at a wedding (It was Picaroons Blonde Ale if I remember correctly) around 2011. I did enjoy it but I wasn't real impressed.

The first American Craft brew I had was Samuel Adams Boston Lager around 2012-2013.

2) A local brewery that brews Belgian styled brews, Grimross.

 

1) Sam Adam's Rebel IPA, an IPA was a bit of an ambitious choice but I was friends with an IPA drinker and the aroma of hops wafting over from his pint glass is honestly what got me started drinking beer. Funnily enough it scared me away from IPAs for a while, it was Two Hearted that brought me back to IPAs and convinced me it was a style I could like.

2) IIRC it was Triton Brewing Co. They have the advantage of being less than 5 miles from my house, which made them a natural choice for my first trip to a brewery when I started exploring beer.

 

Growing up in upstate NY Matts Brewing Co (Saranac) was only 25 minutes away. Definitely my first craft beer experience, Pale Ale I think, although at the time I don't recall thinking anything about craft beer. This must've been around 2002.

 

First craft beer was Fat Tire (it seems to be a first for many), and I loved it. My GF and I traveled to Portland and walked into a local pub and I was introduced to 70 taps! I was floored! I still drink Fat Tire from time to time, but my palate has advanced significantly...

First brewery was Switchback in Vermont. Said GF and I did out first brewery tour in Vermont which included Switchback, Otter Creek, Vermont Pub and Brewery, and Magic Hat. A day later, we did our own brewery tour throughout the state and hit Bobcat, the original Alchemist (wish I knew then what I knew Now...), The Shed (which was a little hole in the wall ski lodge and had amazing beer! I think they are defunct now, sadly), and Long Trail. Great, good times.

 

Unibroue's Blanche de Chambly....stumbled onto it at a grocery store at a time craft beer didn't really exist in Alabama. Shortly thereafter I moved to NYC and my eyes were really opened to the wondrous world of craft beer.

 

Arrogant Bastard was the brew that opened me up to the craft beer world. I rarely purchase it anymore, but I pick one up every so often for nostalgia purposes

 

Magic Hat #9, which I've heard from a lot of people as their first. Haven't had one in probably 8 years, doubt I'd like it anymore.

 

New glarus spotted cow in 2010 at a little pub while visiting for New Years in Wisconsin.

 

2008. Citrus Park, FL Publix. Dogfish Head 60 min IPA 6 pack. A revelation after drowning in Amber Bock at the Ballyhoo. Made me research and discover Oldsmar Tap House.

 

Sam Adams was originally brewed for Boston Brewing here at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. (The Home of Iron City Beer) so I would say that had to my first.

 

SNPA and Samuel Adams Black Lager.

 

tonight it's a Jubelale

 

Jim Koch bought me my first Sam Adams at the Regatta Bar at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square about 1987/88.

But I never drank much beer until just a few years ago when I stopped into Jack's Abby for a flight with a friend. Now I hardly ever stop, except maybe when I'm asleep.

So, either Sam Adams or Hoponious Union, depending on what you want to call 'craft.'

 

Sam Adams Boston Lager in high school around '95 because I liked the name and label. I found that it tasted much better than Red Dog too haha...

visited Brooklyn Brewery around 2003-04 with some friends and remember thinking the wooden token system was cool

 

Sam Adams sampler that I got for xmas '97 or '98.
Otto's in State College early 2000's.

 

I do not remember my first craft beer.
My first brewery to visit Pagosa Brewing & Grill.

 

After multiple trips to the UK, where I drank lots of different cask ales, my first US brewed flavorful beer was the Troeg's Trogenator.

 

Redhook ESB - early 90's. Still try to have it every so often, a nice beer still.

 

It was either Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale or Harpoon Leviathan. Not sure which I had first.

 

Henry Weinhards: 1982
Pete's Wicked and Sierra Nevada: 1987-1989 range
Redhook ESB: Early 90s.

We used to call Henry's "old wood" due too it's taste.