What was your gateway craft beer?

The Boston Beer Co. began life in 1984-5 as a contract-brewer, brewing SABL at the 1.25 million bbl. capacity Pittsburgh (Iron City) Brewing Co. brewery. Not sure they would have ever been considered a "small, private shop" (tho' likely that's the image Koch was trying to project after a initial period of trying to distance his company from the early "microbrewery" movement).

By the time they started up their pilot brewery in part of the old Haffenreffer facility in the Jamaica Plain section Boston in 1987-88, they were selling 35-40k bbl/yr - pretty large compared to some of the largest true "small breweries" of the time, like Sierra Nevada which was brewing in the 10 -15k bbl. range at the time.

 

Fat Tire and Blue Moon
Leinenkugel Honey Weiss

Around the year 2000

 

Petes Wicked, probably the Strawberry Blonde

 

Mill Street Organic Lager

 

Hangar 24 - Hammerhead '15. Gifted from my girlfriend. Up to that point, I drank only scotch.

 

My first craft beer was and I still drink it today is Steam Whistle Pilsner. It's brewed in Downtown Toronto and they use only 4 ingredients water hops yeast and hops. If you like a Pilsner then you will be happy to know they brew it in the traditional Pilsner way

 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Brought me to the hop side and I never looked back.

 

My gateway beer was the Mirror Pond Pale Ale by Deschutes Brewing when I turned 21.

 

Bell's Amber, 1997.

My college girlfriend gave it to me and insisted I try it instead of my usual Bud.

I married her.

 

Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale - had it at a buddies house while watching a football game and my days of Busch Pounders was over...…………..and so it goes.

 

Harpoon Winter Warmer

 

Samuel Adams Boston Ale was my gateway beer in the 1990s while serving in the military.

 

Eye of the Hawk (American strong ale), by Mendocino Brewing. Loved the rich maltiness. They were in the business 35 years, and I understand they operated the first brewpub in California. Unfortunately, it appears they have closed their doors and ceased production this year. Thanks for the memories!

 

Blue moon was the door. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA is the one that convinced me to walk through the door.

 

It was after a semi-pro football game, and one of my teammates had an after party. I brought a 12 of High life that dissappeared fast!! He had about 7 or 8 6 packs of LAKEFRONT BREWERY- FIXED GEAR. All it took was one. After a few years, i met another guy at my current job. He told me where to buy TOPPLING GOLIATH- KING SUE. That's when I found out there's levels to craft beer.

 

It was a three step process: Summit EPA unlocked the door; Pete's Wicked Ale turned the latch; Bell's Two Hearted Ale blew the door wide open.

 

It was two gateway beers for me. Living in San Francisco in mid to late 80's and falling in love with Anchor Steam and Red Tail Ale. Never to have Bud again!

 

Geary's (New England’s first microbrewery) Pale Ale 1987.

 

Red Tale Ale. Found it at Liquor Barn in Fairfield CA, in 1988 or so, when I 1st started looking into this whole "Home Brewing" thing.

I'd always aspired to brew that beer; never actually did, Sad to see them go.

 

Bell's Two Hearted. My oldest son as well as a buddy of mine turned me on to craft beers. Two Hearted had me hooked for life!