5 Best Beers For Beginners
November 18, 2009
What are the 5 best beers for beginners? Who knows! We all have our hows and why’s, but I thought it would be cool to throw out my list of beers I recommend to people newer to beer than I am, and why. Do you have a list?
One thing I’ve learned about beer since starting The Brew Club is that everyone has different tastes when it comes to beer. When it comes to beer, one might say that “taste is on the tongue of the taster” as much as “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
That being the case, what is the best beer for a beginner? I don’t mean the person who has never tried a beer before in their lifetime, but rather the person who has had the common beers like Bud, Coors, Corona or the like and is looking to venture out.
They are looking to you to steer them right. One wrong suggestion and its back to the macros! That’s a lot of pressure! Its a lot of pressure because (and I’m sure you’ve all seen this) lets say you’re in your favorite beer store (we call them liquor stores in Jersey) and you see someone looking for beer.
Seemingly stuck in an orbit around around the giant stacks of Landshark Lager or Bud Light Lime, you can tell that they aren’t a beer person. The familiar has them trapped in something like a tractor beam. Reaching out for help, they ask the stock guy about buying a different beer. Something new to try or to bring as a gift to a friend or something. “I’ve heard about these craft beers” you might overhear the person say.
Most of the time when I see this happen, the stock guy recommends a beer like ‘Imperial Bitchslap’, ‘10,000 Minute IPA’, or ‘Hoppedoutofyourfuckinmind Ale’. (I made that one up.) Chances are, this person, through no fault of their own, is going to take one sip of this extreme beer recommended by the beer expert and dump it down the sink. Never again! I’ll stick to what I know thank you.
The point is, just because your palate has adjusted to extremely hopped beers, or Imperial Ales, doesn’t mean a noob will appreciate it in the least. (Hell, I haven’t even embraced those beer styles yet!) Can advanced beerness hurt more than it helps?
So, what things do you consider when giving advice to someone like this? Do you have any safe-bet beers that you suggest regardless of the person, or do you probe into their likes and dislikes about what they’ve had in the past? I’m curious to how you approach this and what beers you’ve suggested.
For me, I’ll ask if they’ve ever had anything other than Bud or Coors. Ever have a Guinness? What did you think? Ever try Bass? How was that? Schaffer? Hmmmm. This could be tough.
Here’s my list of safe-bet beers that I think are decent choices for beers for beginners. Feel free to poke holes or add to the list!
- Gunniess from the tap or the can with that widget thing. Its a good beer, not extreme in any way, and it can be found everywhere. Its a good intro to those mysterious dark beers.
- For something that is perhaps less scary looking, I think Bass Ale is a good choice as well. It too can be had from one of those funny widget cans, can be found anywhere, and makes a good intro into the world of imported exotic British Ales.
- People with death grips on American Macro beers might be persuaded to try a nice Pilsner. It looks similar, so perhaps this is the easiest leap to make, and there’s lots of good examples both foreign and domestic. Pilsner Urquell might be a good choice or perhaps something like Prima Pils from Victory.
- Another safe bet is the Belgian style ales from Blue Moon. Say what you will abut it being made by Coors, but its a good gateway beer. Blue Moon also can be found anywhere, and it gives people a chance to try something new, a little spicy and ‘oooh, its unfiltered’ without being blitzed with extreme flavors and high ABVs.
- The Guinness pick from above got me thinking of another great choice. A nice Chocolate Stout! Who doesn’t like a chocolate stout? Smooth, dark – and chocolaty! First one that pops in my head is Young’s Double Chocolate Stout. Readily available and very tasty.
So there you go. That’s generally my list of best beers for beginners. I know, I know, only one craft beer in the mix. Part of my thinking is accessibility. Craft beers can tend to be very regional and hard to get sometimes. These beers (save the Victory mention) can be found in most places, BUT substitutions can surely be made. That’s just me.
What’s your process of recommending beer, and what beers to you suggest?
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November 18th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I’m going to have to agree with you, especially on the Guinness recommendation. It was my original gateway beer, and the only “good beer” I ever drank back in college. Since those days I’ve found all sorts of stouts that I like better, but Guinness will always hold a special place in my heart. I think I would add Fat Tire to that list though. Definitely a non-extreme and approachable brew for the masses that are looking for something more and are scared of the “dark” stouts.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Some very good choices there Scott. I would probably go with a different wheat type beer to recommend. I even have some friends that aren’t that into beer that hate Blue Moon but have liked other wheat styles. I personally like the just as available Shock Top over Blue Moon but if I want to recommend a craft brew I point them to Ommegang Witte or Avery White Rascal.
Prima Pils is a great pilsner and I think it could convert some but I see many people that aren’t use to a real pils with flavor thinking it’s not good. Go figure something with flavor not as good as the watered down versions!
I think anything from Samuel Smith is a good gateway beer too. They stick to the traditional recipes it seems and don’t over do anything. Their Pure Brewed Lager is a good choice. I had my dad try it and he really enjoyed it. Their Pale Ale, Taddy Porter and Oatmeal Stout I think are good too for getting started.
Great article on a great topic.
Mike – MikeLovesBeer.com´s last blog ..B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout
November 18th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Great article. ‘Imperial Bitchslap,’ ha! Nicely done. I’ve seen that happen too many times, and I often toil over which beers I should use to introduce my non-beer-drinker friends to the great big world of beer. And, btw … blue moon was my gateway beer, many moons back. Good choice.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Obviously my tastes will differ slightly, being this side of that there ocean, but I’m with you all the way on the Young’s Stout and the Blue Moon, both very accessible.
I probably wouldn’t do the Guinness as you already have an accessible Stout on the list.
In terms of a lager, I’d shy away from Pilsner Urquell towards either Staropramen or what you guys call Czechvar – that is the ‘real’ Budweiser, they’re slightly more subtle and complex than PU.
In preference to Bass I think I’d have to add either Timothy Taylor’s Landlord or Black Sheep Riggwelter as examples of a Yorkshire Ale, and while I’d love to add Greene King IPA, I think I’d have to include a Leffe as an introduction to the dark beers of Belgium.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..The Lord Mayor’s Show
November 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I’ll offer a female perspective on this. I started out as strictly a wine drinker and remember my first serious beer experience was a Grimbergen triple. It was a while ago but I remember being impressed with the texture. I had never tasted anything like it.
If I had to recommend a beer, I’d also start with a stout. I think the creamy texture appeals to a lot of people. I’d go with a Victory Donnybrook from the tap at their restaurant, of course.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Good suggestions everyone!
@Rnast- I share the same sentiments. Guinness was a ‘gateway’ beer for me and I still enjoy it today. I don’t see how one can go wrong there!
@Mike Loves Beer – Sam Adams escaped me completely for some reason – and you can get it just about anywhere which is something I was trying to keep in mind with my list. Good call!
@Bob the Brit – Good choices! I could see being happy with any of them as an intro to beer!
@Rachel, interesting first serious beer! I agree with the stout route. For some reason people think they are super-strong or whatever, but really they’re mostly kittens! Haven’t had the Victory Donnybrook yet.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewing Beer at Home With the Coopers Homebrew Kit
November 18th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
@Rachel You make a good point. Not all “Beginner Beer Drinkers” come from the Bud/Miller/Coors group, some come from the wine and liquor world. I’ve actually heard from multiple sources that Wine drinkers tend to enjoy the complexities of many of the Belgian styles. Similar to how they are used to picking out flavors in different wine styles. Interesting stuff.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hey Scott, I said Samuel Smith
Mike – MikeLovesBeer.com´s last blog ..Bam Bière
November 18th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
@Rnast: Yes. I think you are exactly right. We honeymooned in Napa and I tried being a wine snob but that didn’t work out. I still really love wine (reds mostly) but I do prefer a Belgian or Belgian style most days. I was amazed to find out how much beer adds to really great food too. I think that Belgians are the way to go for us girls. By the way, I love sours too–anyone? Petrus Pale Ale and Monks Flemish Sour Ale are two of my favorites.
Rachel´s last blog ..Antoine Amrani Chocolates
November 18th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
@Mike – D’Oh!!! Sam Adams wouldn’t be too bad either though!
Scott-TBC´s last blog ..Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
November 19th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Guinness was my gateway beer too, good call on that.
I would add a APA to your list (American Pale Ale). Sierra Nevada pale ale would be a good classic choice. Not all beginner’s need to be steered away from hops – some will do well starting with an APA, which is like an IPA on training wheels.
I also wouldn’t recommend as many imports to a beginner, unless they’re from the wine / liquor world. If they’re BMC drinkers then many of those drinkers are very price-conscious and a large part of the reason they drink BMC is that it’s so cheap. Young’s Dbl Choc Stout is pretty pricey in some supermarkets ($4/pint at mine), plus some don’t even carry it, so I don’t see it being something that a light lager drinker would switch to as their go-to beer. They might try it once and say oh that’s kind of interesting but regard it as an experiment and not bother to buy it again.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:05 am
@Patrick – good points, I wasn’t really considering price but its worth keeping in mind. I guess I’m just thinking of ‘gateway’ beers, something to try to pique interest, not necessarily something to buy for drinking every night. American Pale Ale is a great suggestion too, and it shows my own bias against beers more hoppy than malty wich is something else I hadn’t considered in my list!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewing Beer at Home With the Coopers Homebrew Kit
November 19th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I’d have to include on the list, George Killians Red Ale. Easy to find, in most grocery stores and pretty good beer overall. Another might be a Chimay Grand Reserve if you think they are feeling a little adventurous, and might want something a little better than the rest. If they pay a little more for it they might think it is a little more special. Finally I would add a nice pale ale, not an IPA, hops might scare them, but something like a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or a Bass or Anchor Steam just to ease them into the transition to flavor.
Don´s last blog ..Ho, Ho, Hum. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
November 19th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Staying with the BMC line of reasoning, I always thought the Bud American Ale was a safe bet. I’d agree your Guinness pick and Bass was a good choice too. I’d also feel comfortable suggesting Rogue’s Dead Guy as well.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I think a good gateway beer is also the Longtrail beers such as Blackbeary wheat… or their summer ales… By the way… Awesome cartoon! =)
November 20th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Hey, thanks for stopping in Liz! Good suggestions – Long Trail is usually a good bet and thanks for the cartoon work!
Sc-tt-TBC´s last blog ..Brewing Beer With the Coopers Home Brew Kit-Part 2
November 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Nice suggestion Mike on the Dead Guy Ale. I forgot about that one. Very flavorful, and not too spendy either.
Don´s last blog ..Whatcha Having this Weekend?
November 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I concur! Rogue’s Dead Guy is a great beer that would be hard-pressed to offend anyone! What’s it a Maibock or something? Good choice.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier – German Smoke Beer
November 20th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Yeah, Dead Guy is a German Maibock, but double dead guy isn’t a doppelbock like you might guess from the name – it’s a strong ale. Both do use the Rogue Pacman yeast though. Those crazy brewers at Rogue take their name seriously.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
We just reviewed the dead guy on my site. I think this one might become a regular go to beer for me.
Don´s last blog ..Whatcha Having this Weekend?
November 21st, 2009 at 1:14 am
Thanks Don, I’ll have to check it out! I had Dead Guy a few months back and reviewed it, but I gave publishing priority to Pumpkin Ales. I though it was a great beer and I would add it to my list now that I’ve been reminded of it.
Scott´s last blog ..Buffalo Bill’s Brewery Pumpkin Ale
November 21st, 2009 at 6:35 am
Methinks this should be rewritten as a Top Ten… there’s certainly plenty of excellent suggestions to select from.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..The Lord Mayor’s Show
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 am
I think that Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is a good gateway Pale. I’m not a big IPA fan, but I can drink this one easily. It’s not uber hopped and is quite smooth. I’d also go to the Sam Adams line for a smooth transition. Their Winter Lager was the first non-stout bitter beer that I enjoyed. (I now consider it a kind of sweet beer since I’ve moved onto drinking craft stouts;-) ). Victory’s Dark lager is another great, smooth beer to bring the lager drinkers.
Wendy Edsall-Kerwin´s last blog ..AEDM and Updates
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Thanks Wendy. That’s the second mention of Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale as an IPA intro. Not being an IPA fan, I’m thinking I should give this one a try myself! Interesting choices for the other styles as well. Thanks!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewing Your Own Beer at Home – Part 3 Mixing
November 24th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Great article, Scott. As someone who has recently jumped head first into the excellent world of craft beers, I can relate to the process of converting someone into drinking great beer. I think it’s important to keep in mind that most macro drinkers: “A” buy beer that is as “unobtrusive” to their taste buds as possible and “B” They buy quantity over quality.
So I think to successfully convert someone from macro to micro one must make option “A” as smooth as possible. So that means no “big” beers, no high ABVs, no bitter IPA aftertastes, or anything with really overbearing flavors. If that is a success, then Option “B” (price) eventually takes care of itself and one starts to wander into the 22-ounce section of the beer cooler.
One of my first “good” beer experiences was thanks to my younger brother. He brought over a 4 pack of Boddington’s and I was immediately hooked. That’s because “Boddys” is a very smooth, creamy beer that has a straight forward taste. In other words, it wasn’t too far taste-profile-wise from a lighter-bodied lager. (And that cascading pour effect! Too cool!)
Another great style of beer for the beginner is American Hefeweizen. Both the Pyramid and Widmer Bros hefes are widely available and again, have a very friendly taste profile. To lemon or not is up to you. My wife — who thinks most lagers taste like “Budweiser” — loves these beers.
Sam Adams was also inadvertently mentioned here, and I agree that the basic Boston Lager is an excellent choice for a beer with a very good flavor profile that introduces the palate to some floral-style hops. This one, as well as many by Sam Adams, is still a favorite of mine. The black lager is also a very good, yet basic beer.
Two others that have become favorites of mine — and have also helped me convert a few macro drinkers — is the Session Series of Lagers by Full Sail. These are becoming more available, but it’s a harder find in some places. Full Sail brewed this Lager to appeal to the Corona crowd. The stubby bottles also make a great conversation starter. (I recently bought a 12 pack of Session on sale for $11.99.)
As much as I love them, I have found that stouts are a harder sell to the good beer newbie. The dark roast bite can be a bit startling to some. I have found that Murphy’s seems to be a bit more friendly for the newbie. It’s not quite as bitter, thus satisfying option “A” again.
These might not be the best beers out there, but as the saying goes, “you’ve gotta walk before you can run!”
November 24th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
@Scott from Manland – Excellent comment, thanks for taking the time to crank that out!
Good beer suggestions, and I like the conversion logic you presented. Boddington’s was one of my first ‘real’ beers as well!
You’re right about the American Hefe’s – I had a few over the summer that shouldn’t scare off anyone from Flying Dog, Brooklyn and Boulder Beer. (I’d skip the lemon.) I’m not sure I’ve seen anything from Full Sail in my neighborhood – but I’ll keep them in mind now that you’ve mention them.
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier