# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![sewalk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@sewalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sewalk)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/61 "2005-06-25T03:50:33Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > I had never realized Santa was so hard core. Ahhhh, Samichlaus. This is the single-malt of beers. I’ve had it twice. A very fondly remembered, knock-you-on-your-ass sipping beer. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/62 "2005-06-25T03:51:35Z")
> [@Electronic Chaos](#): > > Update: > > Went and bought a Hefeweizen today, and didn’t enjoy it much…even tried it with a slice of lemon. Perhaps I’ll try it again some other time after a few drinks and see how that goes. What brand of Hefeweizen was it? There is considerable variation of quality within the genre. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/63 "2005-06-25T04:49:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > If the taste of sparkling pickle/kraut juice sounds appealing… Appalling, more like. I like kraut on my bratwurst and all, but the juice isn’t my idea of a refreshing beverage. I don’t have any beer suggestions because I’m not a big drinker of anything alcoholic anyway, but you might want to try to catch the Good Eats episode on brewing. Alton explains basic beer chemistry and brews about a half keg. The equipment and ingredients aren’t that expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/64 "2005-06-25T05:05:43Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > \*\*Danalan \*\*, I’ve heard the cider black and tan sometimes referred to as a snakebite…I think. Yep, it’s called that here, too. I’d always known a snakebite to be a shot of Yukon Jack & fresh lime juice, until I ran into the cider/Guinness version down at [The Dog House](http://www.whidbey.net/4d/traxmaps/swi/doghouse.htm). ---
**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 25, 2005, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/65 "2005-06-25T06:02:54Z")
> [@sturmhauke](#): > > Appalling, more like. I like kraut on my bratwurst and all, but the juice isn’t my idea of a refreshing beverage. I was being a bit cheeky–yours is the normal reaction. I wasn’t actually expecting you to like a beverage described as a sparkling pickle juice but, for some people like me who like extreme tastes, it’s perfect. ---
**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 25, 2005, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/66 "2005-06-25T06:23:50Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > 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”! No. I think this is completely wrong. As I stated before, I didn’t start liking beer until I tried Sam Adams Lager (which is fuller bodied and heavier than American lagers, with a bit of a crystal malt kick to it which I like). After that, my favorite beer was the Sam Adams Honey Porter and Guinness. It all depends on what flavors you like. Stouts and porters don’t taste like what casual beer drinkers would expect beer to taste like. They’re almost different beverages. So, if someone doesn’t like the taste of beer, there’s a possibility they might like stout. I sure did, and I know people who like Guinness, but don’t like regular American lagers. Once again, I don’t think Guinness is a strong beer at all (as long as you’re getting the draft and not the Extra Stout). Alcoholwise, it’s weaker than Budweiser or Busch (with less calories, as well.) Because of the nitrogen pour, it’s got a nice creamy consistency that I think many newbies will like. Try Smithwick’s, Boddington’s, or Caffrey’s for a lighter, but similar consistency. I don’t like these beers too much (they’re pretty light and weak), but I think they’re great for newbies. Appreciating beer is not some stepping-stone skill like playing the scales or learning “Frere Jacques” before “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” You might hate light lagers, but absolutely love stouts. It all depends what flavors you like. Just try different styles and see what appeals to you. For example, I’m not a huge fan of lagers in general. I’m also lukewarm on weissbiers. But hopped-to-holy-heaven IPAs I obssess over. Belgians–even though I recommended them–I’m impartial to; I’d rather have a good porter or stout. It all depends on what flavors attract you–it’s not a linear progression at all. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/67 "2005-06-25T13:43:52Z")
> [@August West](#): > > Celis was owned by Pierre Celis, the man that brought Belgian Witbier back from the dead when he revived Hoegaarden in his native Belgium. He made Celis White here in the States. Miller Brewing Co. bought his brewery and somehow ran it into the ground. > > Fast forward to a few years ago, little Michigan Brewing Company in Webberville MI buys the old Celis brewery equipment, with no intentions of making a witbier, they just wanted the equipment. But they were overwhelmed by people across the country asking if they were going to revive the brand. > > So they bought the name and the recipe from Miller and they now make Celis White, with the occasional assistance of Pierre himself. > > So it is still out there. Thanks for the info, AW. I have many times heard conflicting reports on just what happened to Celis. One reason there are so many different versions of the story here is that Celis quit being sold in Louisiana in 1994 or thereabouts. Nobody sees Celis anywhere around here anymore, and nobody really knows the reasons why. Do you happen to know if Michigan Brewing kept up the other varieties of Celis besides White (Red Label, Blue Label, Grand Cru)? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/68 "2005-06-25T13:48:21Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Do you happen to know if Michigan Brewing kept up the other varieties of Celis besides White (Red Label, Blue Label, Grand Cru)? [I think I have answered my own question](http://www.michiganbrewing.com/mbc.asp). They still make the Celis Bock (which I had forgotten about) and the Grand Cru (!). Now just to find a distributor. ---
**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 25, 2005, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/69 "2005-06-25T18:04:43Z")
> [@Electronic Chaos](#): > > Update: > > Went and bought a Hefeweizen today, and didn’t enjoy it much…even tried it with a slice of lemon. Perhaps I’ll try it again some other time after a few drinks and see how that goes. When I said before that I learned to like beer on Widmer’s Hefeweizen, I mentioned that there’s not a huge crossover between folks who like European style wheat-beers and those who like American-style. For myself, I’ve never tried another hefeweizen that I found remotely palatable: I can’t stand most of the others that I’ve tried. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/70 "2005-06-25T18:59:56Z")
**Black Velvet** : equal parts Champagne and Guinness…popular at Irish weddings. **Black and Tan** : equal parts Stout (usually Guinness) and Lager. **Snakebite** :equal parts alcoholic Cider and Lager. This is rocket fuel. **Snakebite and Black** : equal parts Cider and Lager, topped off with black currant cordial. Rocket fuel which turns your vomit purple when you inevitably throw it back up. IMO of all 4, only Black Velvet is at all palatable. Can you get **Smithwicks** in the USA? It’s nicest from the tap, not bottled. It’s a light ale from the Guinness breweries. It’s not too bad, and isn’t as bitter as you’d expect. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/71 "2005-06-26T01:00:17Z")
I’m not a beer drinker at all. I would have recommended Guiness, but you’ve already found it wanting. I’m going to recommend the Celis white. I’m drinking one right now and it is some mighty tasty beer. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/72 "2005-06-26T01:24:30Z")
Maybe you can try something like what I’m doing now. I’m wouldn’t say I don’t like beer, but I wasn’t much of a beer drinker. That is until a few months ago. I started on a project to find a few beers that I like. Once or twice a week, I’ll pick up a random six-pack at the supermarket, never buying the same one twice (the beer of the week is Grolsch lager, BTW). I also travel for business about once a month, so I use that opportunity to sample some regional brews I can’t get at home. I’ve gone through 16 brands so far, and I’m starting to get a feel for different types and brands and I’m figuring out that I like (Heineken and Killians are my favorites at the moment, I’m also partial to Bass). I’m also getting an idea for what situations are best for different beers (a Rolling Rock is refreshing on a hot day, while I’d prefer something like Bass with a meal). I save an empty bottle from each brand so I remember what I’ve tried. I’m building up quite a collection across the top of the kitchen cabinet. ---
**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 27, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/73 "2005-06-27T21:30:34Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > Can you get **Smithwicks** in the USA? It’s nicest from the tap, not bottled. It’s a light ale from the Guinness breweries. It’s not too bad, and isn’t as bitter as you’d expect. There’s a handful of places around here that have it on tap. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/74 "2005-06-27T23:39:29Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I sure did, and I know people who like Guinness, but don’t like regular American lagers. Once again, I don’t think Guinness is a strong beer at all (as long as you’re getting the draft and not the Extra Stout). Alcoholwise, it’s weaker than Budweiser or Busch (with less calories, as well.) Because of the nitrogen pour, it’s got a nice creamy consistency that I think many newbies will like. Completely agree. I’m in the, “Didn’t like beer because the only beer in rural Wisconsin is Miller,” camp. I tried Guinness, and liked it just fine. Interestingly (based on opposite comments in this thread), after drinking more “complex” beers, I find it easier to drink Miller, Bud, etc. They don’t taste as rich, they just taste fairly bland (but inoffensive). I think there is almost an urban legend quality around Guinness. It is basically the non-Miller, non-Bud “expensive foreign” beer for normal American beer drinkers. Kind of like how in the 80s, rich people in movies ate only escargot and caviar. Therefore, a lot of redneck bartalk regarding Guinness, from people who don’t really drink it or know much about it, has become “fact.” Guinness does not, at least to me, taste like an “eight course meal in a bottle.” It is not heavy (okay, compared to some beer maybe, but not particularly heavy in my opinion). As you mentioned (stolen from [this link](http://webpages.marshall.edu/~bennett7/guinness/guinqna.htm)), “per pint, Draught Guinness has 210 calories; as a reference, one pint of semi-skimmed milk has 260 calories and one pint of orange juice has 220 calories.” ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/75 "2005-06-28T07:23:31Z")
I don’t drink Guinness much, but it does feel a little heavier than other beer i.e. it’s harder to drink more than a couple of pints without getting full up! In Ireland, Guinness is usually about 15c cheaper per pint than other beers. It’s still about 4.50euro a pint though. Like many Irish people, I don’t drink Guinness outside Ireland, and that includes the UK (Northern Ireland is fine though) because it tastes funky. That includes cans and bottles. When I say funky, I mean “horrible”. Seriously, Guinness in Ireland is just nicer (partly because the bar staff know how to pour it properly, partly because it just does). You are free to disbelieve me if you wish, but there are many who have tried Guinness abroad and HATED the taste, only to find that they quite like Irish Guinness (we don’t have to hold guns to their heads or anything). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Highwayman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@The\_Highwayman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Highwayman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/76 "2005-06-28T07:44:38Z")
Did anyone mention Corona? Negra Modelo, Bohemia, Tecate, and Hussongs? Yes, I am a fan of Mexican beer which seems to me to be a mix between piss-water Yankee beer and soupy European beer. I used to be a fan of European beer. Like Guinness. If you want a treat, freeze Guinness Extra Stout overnight and open. Make sure you dress in white clothing. 😉 Take it easy. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673/77 "2005-06-30T06:11:08Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Is ok to admit publically that I also drank Old Milwaukee? > Cause I was young, naive and broke. (Woooo a trifecta!) Old Milwaukee NA is an excellent American-style beer, in a non-alcoholic form. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-beer-for-a-non-beer-drinker/309673.md?page=3)