Top Ten BEER Brands

[Viking]

1. Pliny the Elder
2. Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier
3. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
4. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
5. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
6. Samuel Adams Double Bock
7. Borgio
8. Antartica Original
9. Bohemia (Brasil)
10. Cerpa

[pellegrino]

this says a lot about you, perhaps more than you realize.

[Shaka]

What, no love for Schlitz?

[MarkGrace]

I like(d) Sam Adams as well.

[Commando]

Spoiler for best beer brand:

[lambdacoug]

1. Pliny the Elder
2. Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier
3. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
4. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
5. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
6. Samuel Adams Double Bock
7. Borgio
8. Antartica Original
9. Bohemia (Brasil)
10. Cerpa

I've not had all of those, but this is my list:
1. Oskar Blue's Ten Fidy
2. Boulevard Dark Truth Stout
3. Oskar Blue's Dale's Pale Ale
4. Rogue Chocolate Stout
5. Southern Tier Iniquity Black Ale
6. Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
7. Southern Tier Jahva Stout
8. Stone Imperial Russian Anise Stout
9. Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
10. Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot Jobless Recovery Ale

I love a good stout.

[Portland Ute]

What's a good beginner beer? One that the taste would least likely be deterrent from further exploration of this beverage category?

[lambdacoug]

What's a good beginner beer? One that the taste would least likely be deterrent from further exploration of this beverage category?

Depends on your tastes. For me, beer was an acquired taste that took time to cultivate. Probably the best advice would be to stay away from the swill that is Budweiser/Miller/Coors. Its just not good beer. I would recommend you try at least one of some of the major varieties of beer. I'll list the ones I'd recommend you try along with a description of their characteristics so you can decide what to try.

IPA: These are hoppier and were hard for me to enjoy at first. The mellow malt flavors are overpowered by the strong hops flavor.

Stout: The other end of the spectrum from IPAs. These have a strong malt flavor without a noticeable hops finish.

Black Ale: A middle ground between IPAs and Stouts. The hops and malt flavors are more balanced.

Pale Ale: These lean more to the hoppy and are an IPAs cousin.


Anyway, those are the styles I'd start with, if I were you. Here are a few recommendations from each, get whatever makes sense to your budget and locale.

IPA: Dogfish Head 60, 90 or 120 Minute IPAs. The 90 minute IPA is widely regarded as one of the best.

Stout: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, or since you are in Oregon the local Rogue Chocolate Stout. Both are solid stouts, the Samuel Smith is only about $3.50 for a bomber.

Black Ale: Southern Tier Iniquity.

Pale Ale: Oskar Blue's Dale's Pale Ale or Boulevard Pale Ale.

Here's a brief online starters guide:
http://sixpacktech.com/faves/beer-guide/

Anything rated 90 or above by RateBeer.com is good:
www.ratebeer.com

On a scale of 0-100 with 100 being the highest at RateBeer the domestic brews all rate a 1 or lower.

[scottie]

What's a good beginner beer? One that the taste would least likely be deterrent from further exploration of this beverage category?

My two cents is start with something really simple -- for me that was Corona with a lime wedge in the bottle neck; I still love drinking those as far as cheap beer is concerned. atheistcougar's list is good but IMO is for someone who has already somewhat acquired the beer taste. My favorite beer in Utah is Squatters Full Suspension.

[Viking]

Given the WoW sanctions beer drinking in moderation, this is one of the more important threads for newcomers to the frothy mix.

I would recommend starting with Sam Adams.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I don't drink beer anymore, but if I was going to have a beer again it would be a Fat Tire Amber Ale.

[Non Sequitur]

My two cents is start with something really simple -- for me that was Corona with a lime wedge in the bottle neck; I still love drinking those as far as cheap beer is concerned. atheistcougar's list is good but IMO is for someone who has already somewhat acquired the beer taste. My favorite beer in Utah is Squatters Full Suspension.

I can't stand anything from Squatters. They like to say their beer is hoppy, but I find it more bitter than hoppy. I agree with Corona being a good beginner's beer. I would also recommend Stella Artois. Light, smooth and satisfying. I don't always drink beer, but when I do I prefer Belgian beers. A couple of others are Leffe and Hoegaarden. If you're going with local beers, go with Wasatch. When I'm Park City, I like going to the Wasatch Brewery. Get the fish and chips.

[fusnik]

What's a good beginner beer? One that the taste would least likely be deterrent from further exploration of this beverage category?

Mormons struggle with beer because we are so used to sugary drinks that taste good.

IPA, stout, as a beginner beer? You freaking crazy?

Go get a Bud Light Lime, Corona Light with a lime, or a Blue Moon with an orange wedge.

Stay away from boutique beers until you've gotten over the inherent Mormon taste bias.

[cougjunkie]

Mormons struggle with beer because we are so used to sugary drinks that taste good.

IPA, stout, as a beginner beer? You freaking crazy?

Go get a Bud Light Lime, Corona Light with a lime, or a Blue Moon with an orange wedge.

Stay away from boutique beers until you've gotten over the inherent Mormon taste bias.

Yep if our mormons moms weren't pumping us full of Kool-Aid and Juice boxes we would actually enjoy beer.

[Green Monstah]

1. Pliny the Elder
2. Helles Schlenkerla Lagerbier
3. Samuel Adams Noble Pils
4. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
5. Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
6. Samuel Adams Double Bock
7. Borgio
8. Antartica Original
9. Bohemia (Brasil)
10. Cerpa

I don't drink beer, but what kind of proud Texan leaves Shiner Boch and Lonestar off his list?

It doesn't matter what they taste like, a real Texan would include those beers as a matter of principle.