what's the beer that got you into it?

Who knows? Back in the mid '70's when I started drinking beer I guess I was never really satisfied with Bud or Miller, we couldn't get Coors east of the Mississippi River. I was always looking for different beers to try from the beginning.I found a Bellhaven something, last year on top of my parents fridge that I left there over 30 years ago. I knew it was going to be awful but a friend an I cracked it open to confirm it.

 

Old Peculiar at age 19 (now 50) I was ruined (on tolerating crap beer) from the start.

 

Pete's wicked Ale was probably my first. I was drinking Blue Moon & Newcastle and a buddy said try Hoegaarden & fat tire as alternatives. Chimay was probably the big turning point along with St. Bernardus 60th Anniv. Lastly, it was The Abyss that got me into stouts. Sooo delicious!

 

I always was a bit of a beer snob, but this winter, it was Bourbon County Coffee Stout that blew my mind and got me obsessed.

My palate has changed so much in 3-4 months. I even had regular Bourbon County Brand Stout the other day and I didn't absolutely love it.

 

Anchor Steam started it for me. I'm old enough to remember that Becks, Heineken, and Tuborg Gold were considered upper end beers. All else on the shelf was the pure garbage we all know and have mainly forgotten. From there I slowly expanded my tastes from micro-lagers to ales. Ale is about 99.9999% of my beer consumption now for the past 12-15 years.

 

I'm from Cleveland, OH I hated Beer EXCEPT for Great Lakes Christmas Ale lol - I was always a Rum & Whiskey drinker but then I moved to Houston, TX in Jan '05.

I was given a Left Hand Milk Stout in Fall '05 (X Box 360 Launch Party) and, I've never had anything like it. From there I'd go buy a 6er of it here and there... It was the only beer I could stand. My buddy Luis is always grilling meats every Friday night and folks would bring beer - Always something craft. I was introduced to Real Ale Fireman's 4 there in '10 - Good stuff.

In '11 I was at a blues bar on steak night and, a friend of mine ordered a pitcher - I asked her what it was and she said "Saint Arnold Amber Ale", From there I was buying 6ers of it here and there.

Then in July '12 - Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 12 hit and, It was the greatest thing I've ever had and it was STRONG lol

Now I don't even buy liquor anymore, I'm always trying something new and chasing down the limited stuff. If anything I'm upset that I didn't learn what Founders/Southern Tier/Goose Island/etc was until after I moved to Texas.

 

1. Blue Moon
2. Magic Hat #9
3. Chimay Blue

I've noticed Chimay blue seems to be a common beer that really got people into craft

 

<------- Widmer Bros. Drifter Pale Ale. Ah, the memories...

 

Ommegang 3 Philosophers for an appetizer, and St Bernardus Abt 12 for the main meal- a conversion experience

 

Beck's, Pilsner Urquell and assorted imports. Guinness Extra Stout, brewed in Ireland and packaged in little brown bottles. Anchor Steam, Samuel Adams Boston Lager and Pete's Wicked Ale. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Celebration
Ale pushed me over the edge.

 

Fat tire and sierra nevada for me. Then it was all about IPA's!!!

 

First was Sam Adams Octoberfest...compared to BMC I thought it was the most amazing beer ever.

Then I was at the Blind Tiger Ale House and let the bartender pick for me...he gave me a Rogue Brutal Bitter and that really started me on the journey of realizing how different beers can be and wanting to try more.

A little over a year ago, gf threw me a surprise 30th bday party at DFH (she's awesome!). So many different styles and flavors.

About 6 months ago I tried Allagash Curieux for the first time and that's started me on a path of barrel aged tripels, barleywines and imp stouts.

Now I've spent the last 6 months sticking my beer cellar with anything I can find, BCBS, Central Waters, FFF, Backwoods Bastard, etc.

 

Yes.

 

It all started with Killian's Irish Red, Sam Adams Boston Lager, and Bells Oberon. All great brews... none of which I can drink anymore hahaha

 

<====== Troegenator doppelbock. Wow that beer washed down 18 wings a hell of a lot better than yuengling. Really was a huge malt-head until about 6 months ago when I decided to give hopdevil a second look.

 

a bar I lived across the street from in college had happy hour deals on Two Hearted during monday night football. that started my curiosity, then I discovered the greatness that is Ashley's Bar in Ann Arbor.

I'm pretty sure it was a glass of Delirium Tremens at Ashley's that opened my eyes to all the different styles of beer that were out there. Became a 'ticker' years before joining BA with my Ashley's 'Ultimate Beer Tour' card. Haven't looked at it since I moved, just realized I gotta go back and get my free pint glass (and drink some more beers)!

 

Rogue chipotle surprisingly. Was a surprise gift and got me tryi more rogue then I diversified

 

Hmm. So many beers. Definitely one or several of the members of the Sam Adam's family are in there. You really can't beat the taste of their classic Boston Lager. Gateway beer. Definitely Anchor Steam Liberty Ale also had something to do with it too with a beer epiphany moment.

 

Hop Devil

 

It's hard to remember exactly because it's all kind of blurred together but the one I always think of as that one moment when I was like, 'wow, beer is really awesome' is Sierra Nevada Celebration. Still love it.