Thread: Advice on Beer!

Greetings Gentlemen,

I have wanted to try out some nice beers for some time, but have never got around to doing so simply because I dont know where to start. That being said, something tells me that beer isn't all created equal. Much like shaving I assume there is the cheap trashy stuff and the more refined and high quality product.
So here's the questions:
1. What are some really nice beers for the first timer!
2. Where can I expect to find these beers!

Just to clarify, I've never had a beer guys, so keep that in mind with the suggestions. Also, I am totally clueless about where to find the stuff so I am keenly interested as to where I would go to buy it. Is it as simple as a trip the local Liquor store? Or is it harder to track down?

If you can find a beer sampling event in your area, or if you have a brewery where you can sample various beers, that would help.

It would be hard for someone to point you to a beer you'll like without knowing what type of beer you like... If you were to, for instance say, "I really enjoy ales, and particularly India Ales", then it would be easy to point you toward a specific beer. To point out an enjoyable beer to someone who has never had beer... I'm not sure... Maybe try an American lager. Their flavors tend to not be very strong, and might be good for someone that is just developing a taste for beer.

Wow. Where to begin?

There are good beer guides/books. A well known author on the subject is Michael Jackson. Google "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter - Beer Styles" for starters. There are too many beer styles described there and maybe I'd limit my reading to styles readily available in decent beer-serving establishments....like India Pale Ale (IPA), Hefeweizen, Russian Imperial Ale, Scotish Ale, Pilsner, Brown Ale....

If you can find a place that prides itself in serving world beers and microbrews with lots of offerings, wonderful. Start with a style and compare to another style. Once you understand the basic style differences than you'll really have fun comparing same style...different brewers.

Regardless, you must brace yourself. You'll be drinking lots of beer.

Beer Advocate is also a good source. Find the site, read reviews, and the info there. I do find Beer advocate ratings to be helpful. Not all will agree.

Drink (responsibly, he needlessly added) and smell the roses. Rather, smell the hops, malts, yeasts and other ingredients that make all beers wonderfully different. Take note of what pleases you in a beer.

I study all I can. Fortunately a place opened near me in Central PA that always has 30 some drafts complete with a large display that includes name, brewer, style, alcohol content, Beer Advocate rating, and price. The only pedestrian beer I ever saw on draft was : "Miller Lite, Miller Brewing Company, Yellow fizzy beer, 4.?% alc, BA rating D-" Loved it (sign, not the beer).

I'm sure you'll get many good responses from an experienced crowd! HNSB's advice that you hit a brew fest is right on! Don't know what Idaho has to offer....have been to the Portland OR Brew Festival which is one of the best in the country. Find a driver or get housing within walking distance!

+1 on what HNSB said. I would start with a lager, which is what most people in the U.S. think of when they think of 'beer.' I wouldn't stop there though, if you don't like it, try a different style. My wife doesn't like lagers, but she loves stouts...

I don't know what the local beer scene in Twin Falls is like, but if there is a brewpub or brewery nearby, that's where I would start. There is nothing like a freshly brewed beer. Many brewpubs or larger beer bars will offer samplers (they sometimes call them 'flights') which will allow you to get a small taste of all of their beers, you can find one that appeals to you and go from there.

Good luck on your search. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Please let us know what you discover. Support your local brewery!

I've noticed first timers like belgian wheat ale like blue moon.

I don't know Str8Edge...my sons seemed to start on whatever cost me the most.

Originally Posted by jleeg

I don't know Str8Edge...my sons seemed to start on whatever cost me the most.

hmmm... are they talking to my kid?

Originally Posted by jleeg

I don't know Str8Edge...my sons seemed to start on whatever cost me the most.

Wish you were my dad my beer always came out of my allowance.

+1 to what HSNB said. Tastings are a cheap way to try a lot of different styles of beer.

If there is a place near you that sells lots of microbrews, ask them about tastings in the area.

When I lived in Idaho, Henry Weinhard's Dark was a favorite. Reasonably priced, available everywhere and darned good beer to boot. In fact, I used to date a girl from Twin Falls back in the day and have been there many times