Just take a sip...

[Joey Krietemeyer]

I realized that there are people out there that have never tried a beer, much less tried to drink anything outside of his/her normal, daily beer. I need to include those people in my reviews because it is only fair. I can be harsh and my opinions a little rash and pointed. I do it for a better good though, one of informing the populous about beer. So this time I am going to chat a little about what I refer to as “Introductory Beers”.

An “Introductory Beer” is a beer of a certain type that one would consider milder than that of a definitive beer in the same style. These are good beers to give to people when you want them to try out a new style of beer. They are usually smoother and not as much of a kick that a required taste would call for. These beers are ones that could get someone to maybe appreciate beer or get to enjoy another type of beer than one they drink over and over again.

Michelob’s “craft pack” is a perfect example of this. AB/In Bev makes beer for their own beer drinking demographic. This is the best customer service ever. Also, great for milking a buyer for as much as they can. AB/In Bev knows who drinks their beer. They know the tastes of the those who only drink Bud Light, Bud Select, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra or any of their mass-produced and marketed beers. They know that a person who has drank nothing but Bud Light for years is most likely not going to enjoy an IPA or a brown ale or some other type of ale or craft beer. So when they made the Michelob craft pack they had that notion in mind. The wanted to capture the craft and micro breweries popularity and still wanted to capitalize on their own beer drinkers. This was a pretty cheap ploy, but in fairness it created a new “genre” of beer than can be shared with others. Especially others that aren’t too willing to try something new.

The Michelob Pale Ale is what I would consider a perfect “introductory” pale ale. It has a distinct hoppy characteristic and is a little darker than the normal lager or pilsner put out by AB/In Bev. It is overall not that bad of a pale ale. It holds true to the style and is refreshing and enjoyable. It is just a milder, watered down version of what I would consider a “true” pale ale. If I wanted to get someone to try a pale ale just to test the waters and see if he/she would like one, this would be the perfect one to try them on. If he/she enjoyed this beer then they might enjoy something a little more stronger in flavor and taste. A new style of beer has been introduced to someone and was enjoyed. On the other hand, if he/she didn’t enjoy it then you could always finish the sixer and try to introduce something else. For the pale ale, I would recommend if liked to upgrade to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Schlafly Pale Ale, Boulevard Pale Ale or even a Bass Ale.

The entirety of Michelob’s craft can be considered “introduction” beers. The Irish Red, if liked, can lead to a Killian’s Irish Red. The Marzen can lead to a number of Marzens that are available (I am guilty here of not knowing to many, I really am not a big fan of this type of beer). The Porter, if liked, can lead to Sam Smith’s Porter or the Sierra Nevada Porter. A liking of porters can even be a gateway to stouts, another type of dark beer.

Another good “introduction” beer is the American Ale. This is also put out by AB/In Bev. This is a very good Ale put out by a company that mainly puts out lagers and pilsners. It has the strong hoppy and malty flavor of a traditional ale. It is not quite as full though. It still holds back a little bit. I feel that this was more of a stab to get the Budweiser drinkers than that of the Bud Light drinkers. The American Ale is full flavored and bodied, much like the Budweiser, and is can be just as filling if not used to drinking such a heavy beer.

Wheat beers are very popular now and are being made by almost every brewery. They can be too much though for a someone new to them. The key is always to find that middle ground. To find that beer that is light and like what they already drink and yet has some, if not all, of the characteristics of the beer you are trying to introduce. As for the wheats, someone new might enjoy the ones with the fruitier flavors. The beer with the fruit and spices brewed in with the beer. Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Blue Moon, Shock Top and Widmer Brothers are good examples of this. If that type is enjoyed then move on to those that don’t have such a strong fruity taste. Boulevard Wheat, Sierra Nevada Unfiltered Wheat and Pyramid are excellent examples of this.

There are several other beers out there that one could use to introduce a style of beer to someone. I feel that the Goose Island IPA is a perfect beginner IPA. It gives the hoppy flavors and the citrus/pine undertones and yet has a very smooth finish and is creamy on the palate. It gives the best of an IPA in a very non aggressive way.

It is, as aforementioned, all about finding a happy middle ground. It might take baby steps. The person might need to start small and taste several different beers to see if they like a style or are ready to progress on to the next stage. That is what trying new beer is all about.

I feel that it is our duty to introduce new beers and styles of beer to all those who enjoy drinking. The hard part is finding that beer that will keep them interested after that first sip and want to continue experimenting with their new found taste buds.

Cheers!!