It's a wild and crazy world of beer out there, and getting more so every day! If you're just getting into craft brews, all those colorful labels and zany beer names might feel a little overwhelming, yes? Here are our recommendations for some good introductory craft brews. What are yours?
One of the best ways to start learning about beers is to go to a bar or restaurant with a decent beer list and just try something new. One glass is a pretty small investment for something that you might end up liking a lot! Once you find a new beer you like, try other beers by that same brewery. Chances are good that you'll like those, too!
Keep your eyes open for these:
• Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company - This was my own gateway beer into the craft brew scene. It has toasty malt flavors and a nice balance of fresh citrusy hops. It's just a good all-around beer!
• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Sierra Nevada deserves a lot of credit for bringing pale ales into the mainstream. This beer is super smooth and has a nice tangy citrus flavor. It's well-balanced and not overly hoppy.
• Blue Moon Belgian White from Blue Moon Brewing Company - I like to share this one with new beer drinkers just because it's so completely different than your average light lager (ironic, since Coors owns Blue Moon). It's thick and creamy with distinct flavors of orange, banana, lemon, and even some bubble gum. Sweet, yet very drinkable and thirst-quenching.
• Indian Brown Ale from Dogfish Head Brewery - This beer starts out fairly sweet and nutty, but then slips into a smoky molasses flavor. There are just enough hops to keep it from being too sweet, but not so much that the beer turns bitter.
• Milk Stout from Left Hand Brewing Company - Silky and rich, this beer is like your favorite coffee drink served over ice. It's dark with roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate flavors, but with a touch of sweetness to keep it from being too bitter.
What beers do you remember from when you first started drinking craft beers? Which ones would you recommend for new beer drinkers?
Related: Quick and Dirty Guide to Lagers
(Image: Flickr member Danielle Scott licensed under Creative Commons)
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Great choices. And I think Magic Hat #9 could easily fall into that list. I also love Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, and I think it would be good for newbies.
Pisgah Brewing, a local brewery here in Asheville, make a great light, crisp beer called Endless Summer, and it should certainly go on that list.
Great suggestions.
My husband and I love Dogfish Head Craft beers in Delaware. He likes their 60 Minute IPA and I love their Pale Ale.
I think Blue Moon was one of the first beers I actually liked. I would also add Bell's Two Hearted and Unibroue's La Fin du Monde, which I think should appeal to people who tend to drink more wine than beer.
Also, whatever happend to Henry Weinhard's? That was my first foray into "craft" brews.
My new favorite beer is called Pliny the Elder. Seriously might be my most favorite ever! Kind of an IPA, perfectly hoppy, great balance.
Move beyond Blue Moon to something tastier in the same style, like Boulevard's ZŌN. Summer beers are a good place for newbies to start--flavorful but not overpowering options like Goose Island's summer and Bell's Oberon...
I introduced my little sis to Blue Moon (she always said she doesn't like beer, but her beer experience is limited to Bud/Coors/Keystone) and she loved it.
My first craft brew was Pyramid Apricot, since I lived in Berkeley.
Jaxon, Pliny is THE IPA.
I definitely agree with Cat K. adding Magic Hat #9. That's what got me interested in beer.
Goose Island offers many great starters. I've come to really like their Vanilla Porter.
Also, with summer right around the corner Summer Shandy from Leinenkugels is a great choice.
Cheers!
I love Rogue Ales Chocolate Stout but I'd like to try their Hazelnut Brown too.
Once you have the better hefs, you'll find Blue Moon kinda gross. Widmer's Hefeweizen is good for newbies but if you're more into the German-weisse style beers, Franziskaner is good.
Most of the stuff from New Belgium is pretty easy drinking and they're easy to get in stores. Again, Widmer makes some really good beer. I think the Sam Adams brewmaster collections are usually pretty decent and interesting.
Personally, my favorite breweries are Dogfish Head (omg, Aprihop!) and Southern Tier. If you're into craft cider, Crispin makes some of the best stuff (had to plug that, it's like summer in a bottle).
Pliny the Elder is also my favorite IPA (think it's more of an imperial IPA due to higher ABV than normal) but it's not easily accessible for purchase since Russian River Brewery's distribution is fairly limited. Really good balance of both citrus and pine hops flavor without being overly bitter.
Good choices on that list for starting to transition people away from the thought that beer is just Bud/Miller/Coors with more commonly available 'good' beer.
Another good choice to add would be Arrogant Bastard from Stone as a good example of american strong ale.
Ahh no, no no--you CANNOT put Blue Moon on on a list of CRAFT BEERS! Per Wikipedia: "A microbrewery, or craft brewery, is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer. The maximum amount of beer a brewery can produce and still be classed as a microbrewery varies by region and by authority, though is usually around 15,000 US beer barrels a year."
Please don't demean actual microbreweries and craft brewers by adding a Coors product to a list like this. If you want an American craft witbier, try Alaskan White, Alagash White, or Ommegang Witte...not Coors' mass-produced swill!
There are so many wonderful craft breweries and beers...support them and drink real, good beer.
Blue Moon is owned by Coors, so it's not accurate to call it a craft beer. Allagash White would be a better choice for a Witbier.
Also, any of the many varieties of Dogfish Head should be mentioned!
Dogfish Head 120 Min I.P.A is very good, and is only brewed 3 times a year... so grab it if you see it!
A good way to try different beers is to check out a local brew pub & ask for a tasting flight. Brewpubs exist in most cities & offer a good selection. Find a variety you like & learn from the bartender/ brewmaster. Then go to a good store & buy 1 of lots of brands to determine all the intricate differences. Yummmy......
Now it's time for me to chill my 60 min Dogfish Head IPA!
Brooklyn Brewery is a fantastic spot if you're ever in Williamsburg for their Friday night open taps. Delicious way to spend the end of a week!
Here are my pics:
Unibroue beers are great, try the Ephemere if you like a sweeter beer (apple-y flavor, but this is still a beer, not a hard cider). Also, La Fin du Monde (9% alcohol, so this is a stronger one).
Sea Dog Blue Paw (hint of blueberry)
Magic Hat is awesome. The #9 is the only widely distributed brew, but there are soo many more! Try Circus Boy, or Hocus Pocus if you can find them (probably only the in the North Eastern US, brewery is in VT). They also have new seasonal varieties that come out for spring, summer, fall, and winter. They are only produced in small quantities and for a limited time, but such a treat is you can find them.
Harpoon Brewery (VT and Boston)- Their UFO's are a good place to start. Harpoon also has several new limited time seasonal beers.
Erdinger Weissbier - wheat beer
Lost Cost Brewery beers - The Rasberry Brown, Downtown Brown, Tangerine, Great White, and the 8 ball stout are great.
Dogfishhead - All good
Rabbits Foot - Biere de Miele - Honey Beer (Kolsch style)
And lastly, if you can find a Flemish Ale, DO IT! Flemish ales are sour/sweet. Some of my friends call it ketchup beer because it has a sour/tart/sweet/tangy/zingy flavor like ketchup (but they do not use tomatoes to make this).
Agreed beestro! Such good stuff, embarrassing to mention the Pliny it in a list of Blue Moon and Weinhards...Blue moon is coors, for crikes sake!! Think small, think micro people, there are so many craft/ micro brews, stay away from the big names if you can. Or at least don't get fooled into thinkin they're small.
not to sound like a broken record, but there's a good reason dogfish head is being recommended - it's amazing. my favorites are the aprihop (spring seasonal) and punkin ale (fall seasonal). i'll also echo the recommendations for magic hat #9. i'm also a big fan of leinenkugel's sunset wheat, i always tell people it "tastes like fruity pebbles" and i can't think of a more grown-up way to describe it, unfortunately. then again, after typing my recommendations, i guess i'll drink anything with fruit in it!
as for non-fruity... lancaster brewing company also makes a great milk stout, and if you can find flying fish around you i definitely recommend it. it's brewed in new jersey, not sure what kind of distribution it gets.
On the Unibroue (Chambly, Quebec) front: I've tried many of their styles and keep coming back to La Maudite! So glad some of the Beer Stores in Ontario carry it.
I'm surprised not to see a mention of Ommegang Hennepin, a saison - it's a personal favorite which is regularly stocked in our home! Really, really lovely and a great choice for someone new to craft beers. Brooklyn Lager is also a nice starter choice - very drinkable, and a good staple for parties/BBQs where otherwise the only options are Bud or Coors.
Yes! So glad that New Belgium is spreading around the country-such a good, responsible, forward-thinking company, and from my hometown! Fat Tire will always be my favorite, but Sunshine Wheat is an awesome summer afternoon bbq beer, 1554 always spells fall/winter nights, and nothing says Christmas like Frambozen. Salivating/homesick just thinking about it.
If you're in the Pac NW though, I would recommend Manny's, Mac N Jacks, anything from Deschutes, and also Baron Hef and Oktoberfest, when in season.
Personally, if you're going the IPA route I find the DFA 90 Minute IPA to be very approachable.
Note to all though. The (Stone) Ruination IPA is NOT something you should introduce to a first-time ipa drinker. I might be guilty of having tried that...
This is a very good list, except for that Blue Moon recommendation.
My first 'craft' beer was Celis White (before it folded and came back to life thanks to the Michigan Brewing Company). It makes me sad that you can't even get this beer in its birthplace anymore (Austin, TX).
Oskar Blues Brewery (Longmont, CO) makes some fantastic craft beers-- that come in a very recyclable and portable cans, no less! For an easy to drink, all-around favorite, their pale ale, Dale's, is delicious. In warmer weather, Mama's Lil Yella Pils[ner] has great flavors absent in most pilsners. And finally, for the more adventurous, they have a Scottish ale (Old Chub), a stroooong IPA (Gubna), and an even strooooonger brew, TenFidy (10.5% ABV). Ok, I'm thirsty just typing about it... time to go crack open a Dale's!
I've tried a lot of these and a lot of them are pretty great. But I've only ever seen most of them on the menu at places in California. This is the thing about craft breweries - they're small. So you can't just walk into any beer store in any part of the world and pick some up. Best thing to do is to learn what craft breweries operate near you and try their product. While what I've tried of these were fantastic, there are equally good breweries that operate just a few miles down the road from me, on the opposite side of the continent.
@faith: i second bell's two hearted! great choice!
I really think as far as gateway craft beers, you really should encourage people to get a beer from somewhere local. There are hundreds and hundreds of brewpubs in this country, and many of them make better fresher beer than you could ever find in a cooler at a liquor store. A lot of these brewpubs put their people through extensive training on pairing beer and food, and it supports your local economy. Besides, many of these craft breweries really ship their beer a little further than their quality control departments should let them. Drink local.
Also: Blue Moon? What the hell?
With all the talk of wit beers and New Belgium, I'm surprised no one has mentioned their Mothership Wit. It's pretty sharp, but really nice and fruity, and not quite as astringent as Alagash.
I agree with starting local...and asking for help at a shop where the people know about beer. Even a locally brewed lager is a good step, not too heavy, but way more flavor than a mass produced beer. I can go ahead and recommend some of the Smuttynose line (New Hampshire brewery) but it won't help most people outside of the northeast. We have a local beer shop that has tastings and allows you to mix a six-pack, that's a great place to start! Also, even a $6 big bottle (maybe to share) is a good investment...good craft brews can be pretty expensive at a bar.
It's best to find a style you like and try whatever craft brewers are available in your area. I like Avery Brewing out of Colorado, Stone from California, Rogue from Oregon, Troegs from PA and many others.
Pliny the Elder, as the above people stated, is an amazing beer if you can find it.
I can't recommend Avery Maharaja enough. It's superb.
It's never been a better time to be a beer drinker in America.
I agree with @sarahmaria and others... Allagash White or Ommegang Witte are the domestic white/wheat beers you want to try.
Blue Moon isn't bad, its just weak and mass produced.
Ommegang is owned by Duvel but I still consider it a microbew.
Although I LOVE dogfish head, I can't imagine a newbie taking to their 90 minute IPA. Let's stick to some mild and approachable micro-brews. Here are a few from the Midwest:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland, OH)
Try the Elliot Ness - Viennese style dark lager. Smooth and malty with a delicate bitterness to help balance things. A nice warming brew for a fall day.
Bell's Brewing Co. (Kalamazoo, MI)
Already mentioned here, and I support the recommendation 100%. Best beer for converting the Coors drinker must be the Oberon summer wheat. It's sunshine in a glass.
Three Floyds (Munster, IN)
If you are one of the lucky few who have access to this little slice of heaven, buy a six of Gumballhead to convert the unwashed masses. Another summer wheat, but almost the polar opposite to Oberon. Exceptionally well hopped and a ton of fruit on the palate to compliment things. This is a beer I will buy on sight. Frankly, so is anything else they make.
Finally, this last one is not a Midwest thing.
Stone Brewing Co. (San Diego, CA)
I wouldn't push any of the bastards or the ruination IPA. Go easy on the neophytes and grab their Levitation session ale. It is friendly, light, crisp, and a real thirst-quencher. There is simply nothing there to dislike.
Dang, now I'm thirsty. Is 9 am to early to crack one open?
I'm another big fan of Lost Coast's Great White. Their Tangerine is also remarkable.
I second the Ephemere suggestion (by Unibroue). It is just amazing!
But didn't Blue Moon originally start as a craft beer (Bellyside Belgian White) before it was bought out by Coors?
Regardless of whether it's a true craft beer (or was) it is a "gateway beer" for many trying to branch out from the typical bud/miller/coors crap. And since this article is geared toward newbies, I think it's a decent mention to start to pull newbies over to better craft beer.
Worked for me!
Wow I'm impressed with how informational everyone is. I'm very new to beer. I'm 29 and had my first beer 3 weeks ago. I'm usually a vodka or rum girl. But I'm trying to like beer because that's what's being served at my sisters wedding :) the only beer I have tried is bud light, bud light platinum, and I have tried woodchuck. Woodchuck is yummy but not a beer and it has way too many carbs and calories in it. I have seen a lot of recommendations for dogfishead is there a specific one I should try? Bud light is ok but its all I've ever tried I wish it were a bit sweeter though. Any recommendations?