SlyFoxx on 11/3/2009 at 14:30
Pilsner Urquell is a good starting point for a first beer as it is the first pilsner which lead to the American derivatives from Bud, Miller and Coors. The big three of course fucked it up a bit but lots of folks like it.
I swim in the bitter end of the beer pool so pale ale and India pale ale are my speed. Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA is a favorite. Hoppy as a bunny rabbit and not for the faint of heart. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is nice too but a bit more subdued...the shallow end of the bitter beer pool.
Fett, you might want to try bock or double bock styles. They lean heavy on the malt with the more robust examples having a bit of the whiskey thing going on.
Matthew on 11/3/2009 at 14:31
Quote Posted by Macha
Temperature varies from beer to beer. If you go to any pub in England they have 'Guinness Ice Cold' and that doesn't exist over here, Guinness needs to be just slightly chilled, not frozen.
I do miss that one; they had it up here but stopped it a couple of years ago for some reason. The old-style Caffreys also.
Queue on 11/3/2009 at 14:56
Quote Posted by Koki
Try chinese beer.
One of my most deeply repressed memories was thanks to a night of Chinese beer and bad Mongolian Beef. That stuff will kill you. They must make it out of lead, too.
nickie on 11/3/2009 at 14:58
DON'T try Stella Artois! It's not nicknamed 'wifebeater' for nothing.
Stitch on 11/3/2009 at 15:00
A lot of great beer suggestions in this thread so far (SlyFoxx knows his shit) but for actual starter beers I'd probably suggest something that contains a diluting flavor like honey (Leinenkugel's makes a decent Honey Weiss beer, but that's probably too midwest-regional for your purposes). Alternately, take regular beer and make it a shandy by mixing in some lemonade or soda. You won't win man points for this but the idea is to start with something mild that lets you wrap your taste buds around beer on your own terms.
From there, work your way up. Go to a local brewery and sample the works, see what you like. Make experiences out of all this, invite your friends.
And on that note, sometimes experiences can actually make the beer. I was never much of a fan of Corona until I drank them 2-for-1 with lime while eating dinner on a side street in downtown Cancún while surrounded by my closest friends. Corona will never be my go-to beer (especially if Sierra Nevada or a good regional microbrew is available) but I definitely can see myself sipping it on a summer day.
Above all, have fun. Don't listen to the "why bother if you don't like it" crowd, as expanding one's horizons--beer or otherwise--is just part of the adventure for those who really live.
Thief13x on 11/3/2009 at 15:04
Damn son, I have a near zero tolerance for liquor (talk about not being manly:D). I just hate it think it tastes horrible even when mixed. On the other hand, I have hardly ever had a beer I've NOT liked (other than the obvious shit like natty and keystone).
If you're like most people, you don't like the fact that the beer tastes watery. If this is the case, I would try something like Miller High Life (the only cheap American beer that I can honestly say has a great taste) or a dark beer (if you like coffee these can be badass) like Guiness or a Porter.
If you're fortunate enough to live in Florida or Pennsylvania, you absolutely must indulge in America's Oldest Brew (Yuengling Lager) or enjoy a 40/60 mix of Pilsner and Porter with their brand "Black and Tan". Truly a delicacy which must be experienced.
Queue on 11/3/2009 at 15:10
Quote Posted by nickie
DON'T try Stella Artois! It's not nicknamed 'wifebeater' for nothing.
Sounds like some bad Daylily hybrid.
...wondering how many people just went, "Huh?"
Stitch--
Leinenkugel... now that is good stuff. And Corona tastes like ass without the lime, but with lime a six-pack disappears rather quickly.
Thief13x on 11/3/2009 at 15:19
Quite true. Corona is brutal without lime
Kuuso on 11/3/2009 at 15:36
I'm also one of those people who just don't enjoy beer. I absolutely adore ciders (the more rotten it tastes, the better ;)) and perry. I drink liquors of all sorts. I just have never enjoyed beer.
I would like to, of course. Not because it's manly or something a stereotypic man would drink, but because it's usually cheaper than the cider option. Now, I can somewhat tolerate Kilkenny, I like how there's not that horrible aftertaste that most beers that I have drank has had. It's lovely soothing and mild. Is there something alike Kilkenny, yet better?
pavlovscat on 11/3/2009 at 16:21
Quote Posted by nickie
DON'T try Stella Artois! It's not nicknamed 'wifebeater' for nothing.
Stella Artois is the skunkiest beer ever. :eww: Even fresh & cold out of the fridge, it smells like the half empty beers on the morning after a party. We call it Stella's Old Twat.
It's hard to pick a beer for someone else since they are so different. Check out a microbrewery because you can usually get samplers.
