# Recommend a beer for a non-beer drinker **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [June 24, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673 "2005-06-24T15:22:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/21 "2005-06-24T16:29:03Z")
This is crazy weird. Guinness was one of the first beers that I tried when I started trying beers, and I loved it. I was going to recommend it to our OP except that he mentioned it. ---
**Author:** ![Weener\_Lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9de053/32.png) [@Weener\_Lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weener_Lobo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/22 "2005-06-24T16:58:42Z")
Hi, Newbie Guest here. I also would suggest a wheat beer. Very cold with a slice of lemon or orange, on a hot day is perfection. My favorite is Hacker Pschorr, but Blue Moon does quite nicely as well. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/23 "2005-06-24T17:01:56Z")
> [@August West](#): > > Anyone who says flat out that they don’t like beer is being very close minded. I’ve yet to find a beer that I like; I drink cider, though. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/24 "2005-06-24T17:07:37Z")
> [@August West](#): > > What type of flavors do you enjoy? There are hundreds of different beer styles. > > Do you like caramel or toffee flavors? Try a German Doppelbock > > Roasty/Chocolatey? Maybe a porter > > Sweet and fruity? Try a fruit lambic from Lindemann’s, they are like fruit champagne > > Acidic and tart? Try a more authentic lambic like Boon Geueze Licking an ashtray? Try Guinness. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/25 "2005-06-24T17:10:49Z")
Just popping back in to say that I have indeed tried hard cider before and love it. At least one particular brand of it (Woodchuck Draft Cider). I’m not sure what exactly it is I don’t like about beer, and it’s hard to say. But I’ll go pick up some of the beers everyone’s mentioned thus far and see if any tickle my fancy. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/26 "2005-06-24T17:12:07Z")
You’re recommending Bud and Natty Ice to someone looking to _enjoy_ beer?! I think if the OP was so revolted by beer that only the most watered-down would be palatable, s/he would just not drink beer. Zima, Smirnoff Ice, etc, and cider are not beer, nor do they resemble beer in any way except for marketing. To the OP- if you’re looking around at your local supermarket, the beer section is usually divided into two not-always-obvious sections- one has Budweiser, Miller, etc. The other will likely have microbrews and maybe a few imports, many in six-packs. Avoid the former. Alos, avoid cans- the beer tends to taste metallic, and any beer in cans tends to be lower quality beer anyway. My recommendation would be to try a hefeweisen (wheat beer) with a slice of lemon. They generally have the “heaviness” of a beer, but has a pretty mild, slightly citrus taste. If you find yourself at a brewery (a quick Google search shows several in Nashville), they often will offer a sampler- a handful of 3 oz glasses of their different brews. If you like any of them, ask the bartender what type of beer it is (pale ale, stout, IPA, etc), and what would be comparable to pick up at a store. Whatever you end up with, pouring it into a glass lets you smell it as you drink this. I enjoy this, but you might want to drink it from the bottle… baby steps, baby steps… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/27 "2005-06-24T17:24:18Z")
Bass and Harp are also good choices, and Sam Adams makes some decent stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/28 "2005-06-24T17:38:47Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > I’d suggest a hard cider. Similar kick to beer, but very different taste. I’m not recommending this for a non-beer drinker, buy can’t resist mentioning that a “Black & Tan” with hard cider for the ‘tan’ is a very interesting drink. My favorite is Spire Mtn. Pear Cider, topped with Guinness. Sacrilege, I know, but it’s so tasty, and the appearance is very striking. While cider is quite nice by itself, I don’t get how recommending it to **Electronic Chaos** is going to help with the beer issue. It’s not like cider is a “gateway” to other drinks… Another way to make beer taste good is to be so thirsty that anything would taste good. I didn’t like beer either, until I discovered how refreshing it could be after a working in the hot sun all day. One summer working construction turned me into a lifelong beer drinker, and now I’m on the ‘hard stuff’ – Guinness or Murphy’s. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/29 "2005-06-24T17:40:11Z")
I disagree with the suggestion that one should start on beer “nearest water” to develop a taste for it. I could not stand Coors, Bud, Miller, etc., in high school and college, but my love for beer started when I had my first Samuel Adams lager. Finally, a beer that tastes like something other than piss. Since then, my tastes have branched out to stronger and crazier beers (and I’ve come to appreciate the Budmilloors of the world, too), but forcing me to drink the typical American light adjunct lager was definitely NOT the way to do it for me. I find it odd that so many people consider Guinness draft a strong flavor because, really, it’s rather mild and smooth. It just happens to be black, which I think throws a lot of people off. I would say check out the Belgian beers. There’s something for everyone there. I don’t think there’s a soul in the world who doesn’t appreciate the occasional Kriek (sourcherry), Framboise (raspberry), or Peche (peach). They’re all sour-fermented beers called lambics, and don’t taste anything like beer, really. Look for the following brands: Drie Fonteinen, Hanssens, Liefmans, Lindemans, or Belle-Vue. If you like truly really sour and stinky flavors, try a gueuze (unflavored, blended) lambic. Most people are not going to like this stuff, but I think it’s fantastic. If the taste of sparkling pickle/kraut juice sounds appealing to you, try Lindemann’s Guezue Cuvee Renee or Hanssens Oude Gueuze. Also, give a try to some of the Belgian ales recommended. Everybody seems to like Chimay. If you can find Westvleteren #12, that’s often ranked as the best beer in the world. I’ve never had that one, but the #8, which also finishes in the Top 5 or 10 on most of these polls, is great. Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre, which has been mentioned, is a domestic riff on the Belgian trappist ales. Definitely worth a try. Heck, while we’re recommending Weizenbiers, why don’t we just head over the border for the Belgian take on it: the Witbier. These are a bit different than they’re German cousins. They’re usually flavored with coriander and curacao orange peel and have a very distinct, spicy bite to them. Hoegaarden is the quintessential brewer of this style. Try it. For more typical beer tastes, but with more flavor, try something like a Czech Pilsner Urqell or Staropramen. They’re especially perfect for this time of year. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/30 "2005-06-24T17:52:11Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > Zima, Smirnoff Ice, etc, and cider are not beer, nor do they resemble beer in any way except for marketing. > [@Danalan](#): > > While cider is quite nice by itself, I don’t get how recommending it to **Electronic Chaos** is going to help with the beer issue. It’s not like cider is a “gateway” to other drinks… The other beverages are often consumed in similar situations as beer. Whether watching a tv at home at night, or drinking socially at a bar or party, hard cider (or, Zima :blech: ) fills the same niche. The difference between a Bud and a Guiness is certainly as much as the the difference between them and a Woodchuck, the “beer” label, notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/31 "2005-06-24T17:58:33Z")
**Troy** , never mention cider and Zima in the same sentence, please! Cider certainly has a place in the world; Zima is illegal under the Geneva Convention. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/32 "2005-06-24T18:00:27Z")
I’d love to try more of the Belgian ales, myself. One of my favorites is Delerium Nocturnum, which comes in a large tan ceramic bottle (like a wine bottle), with a blue foil sticker with a pink elephant on it. It’s dark (but not as dark as Guinness) and has a nice sweet flavor. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/33 "2005-06-24T18:05:55Z")
> [@Little Bird](#): > > I can’t imagine starting on Guiness…no, wait, I can. I tried it early on in my beer career and about gagged. I teethed on Michelob Ultra, which has almost no taste at all. After a while I moved on to Blue Moon. Wonderful stuff, mild and tasty. From there I moved on to almost every type, Guiness, Bass, Killians, my current passion is Berghoff Dark. Mmmmm, I love everything Berghoff. I still can’t stand any lager that’s not Berghoff, so that’s probably why it took me so long to like beer, almost all big American beer is lager. I gotta agree with LB here. If a person doesn’t really like beer but wants to develop a taste, you can’t send them to the heavy stuff first. It’s gotta be gradual. When you are learning to play guitar, they start you out with “Frere Jacques” not “Sweet Child O’Mine”! I was gonna recommend Ultra myself. I enjoy it, as it is a very “aquatic” beer. **Danalan** ’s pitch of the Silver Bullet as an intro beer is also on base. But some of the heavier beers are WAY to strong for a newbie. [hijack] Did anyone ever participate in the Bennigan’s Beers of the World promotion? Basically, they had over a hundred beers at the bar. You signed up for a card with a magnetic strip that kept track of your purchases. Every day, you could add four new beers (limited to four for liability purposes). If you got 100, you got your name etched on the bar. I made an effort to complete it, but moved away before I could get pass 80. My new town did not have a Bennigan’s. Let me just say. There are a lot of good beers and a lot of BAD beers in the world. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/34 "2005-06-24T18:27:09Z")
I am not a big beer fan. The the really cheap beers ( Red, white & blue & Pabst Blue Ribbon) were the only ones for a long time I liked. (I switched to hard stuff after those preliminary years of bad taste.) I do like **Astra** which is a Urtyp beer from Germany. I know Urtyp is a kind of beer, but I don’t know what it means. And I only remember this because I have a intact label I peeled off. 🙂 I am sure there is someone here can tell me what that means. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/35 "2005-06-24T18:27:21Z")
Interesting that nobody has mentioned Newcastle. I know quite a few people, myself included, that didn’t like beer until they tried NC. Maybe it is the slightly sweet flavor and mild aftertaste. All I know is that it was the first beer that held any appeal to me and gave me an understanding of the difference between a decent beer and that domestic piss-water. And in time, I moved on from Newcastle, prefering IPA’s and stouts. I don’t think I ever would have though, had I only tried Bud and Coors. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/36 "2005-06-24T18:28:32Z")
If anyone knows where or how I can pick up a case of Astra or Jever in the states, or even Ontario, I’d appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/37 "2005-06-24T18:29:53Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > The the really cheap beers ( Red, white & blue & Pabst Blue Ribbon) were the only ones for a long time I liked. (I switched to hard stuff after those preliminary years of bad taste.) Hey, there’s nothing wrong with PABST BLUE RIBBON! I consider myself a fan of “nice beers,” but something about the PBR always draws me in. It’s mighty tasty compared to any other cheap, light American beers. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/38 "2005-06-24T18:30:10Z")
**August West** already mentioned Lindemanns, but I’ll second that recommendation. The lambic Frambois (sp?) is fantastic, and doesn’t taste like beer at all. It’s like a very tasty fruit soda, but more complex than sodas. It is much better than those horrible flavored “malt beverages.” Really, you should give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/39 "2005-06-24T18:32:43Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Hey, there’s nothing wrong with PABST BLUE RIBBON! I consider myself a fan of “nice beers,” but something about the PBR always draws me in. It’s mighty tasty compared to any other cheap, light American beers. Is ok to admit publically that I also drank Old Milwaukee? Cause I was young, naive and broke. (Woooo a trifecta!) ---
**Author:** ![RitzyRae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@RitzyRae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitzyRae)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/40 "2005-06-24T18:39:50Z")
I’m not huge on beer, but I like a nice cold Rolling Rock. It’s the only beer I can drink straight - meaning without eating some sort of food product. I tasted a lovely chocolate beer at a Boston brewery once. I coulda drank that one… with food. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673.md?page=3)