Not everybody loves beer though, and some people don't even know where to start when it comes to drinking beer and what to try first. I myself had to get into the whole thing, but now that I'm in, I'm never turning back.
Every time I meet someone who hates beer or who doesn't know what to try and what they'll like, I offer to guide them in the process of becoming a beer aficciando-and that's what I'm going to do in this article.
So if you've always wanted to try beer but don't know where to start and what to try...read on!
What to avoid
I'm gonna start by something you've probably heard a lot, but it isn't any less true: if you really want to get to love beer, don't drink the mass-produced junk. The thing about beers like Budweiser and Coors is that they are produced in a way that takes all aforementioned love and care out of the equation-picture Charlie Chaplin in "Modern Times", cranking away at the bolts next to people who do so in the same mechanical way.
And another thing about Coors-you know those ads you always see that say their beer is "as cold as the Rockies"? Well, they sell that point because the tactile sensation of a cold beer is all they have going for them. Don't believe me? Try a warm Coors and get back to me. Now I know what you're saying. "Don't all beers taste horrible warm?" Not necessarily...but more on that later.
Where to start
Lagers
There are dozens of kind of beers and hundreds upon thousands of breweries around the US and the world...kind of overwhelming right? Well, it's not too bad. Ales, Porters, Pilsners, Lagers, and Stouts make up the more general categories of beer. To get even more general, beers can be "dark" or "light"-this mostly applies to their color and flavor (how thick, how bitter, etc.)
A great place to start is lagers-they're generally smooth and easy to drink, and they're not too heavy on flavor. Probably the most popular lager out there is Corona-a Mexican lager that's become a staple for days on the beach. It has that connection for a reason: it's a very refreshing beer that's light on alcohol content so it goes down smooth but still gives you a buzz.
Ales
From lagers, ales make a nice next step. Ales are typically a little darker and "heavier" (in alcohol content and flavor), but not dramatically so. Ales fall into a lot of categories, from pale ales (which include a lot of hops, making them very bitter), to wheat (light in flavor and color)
One of my go-to ales is New Belgium's fat Tire, an amber ale that's brewed in Fort Collins. New Belgium in general is an excellent brewery, and probably my favorite micro-brewery. Fat Tire is a great introduction into ales because it's not too light but not too heavy, and has a great taste.
Another great variety of ales is the Belgian-style white ale, which are usually creamy and smooth to drink. Blue Moon is a great example of this style ale-they also make "seasonal" ales that use different ingredients to fit the time of year: for example, their fall ale features hints of pumpkin and spice that add some great flavor to the already delicious beer.
Stouts and Porters
These beers are much heavier and darker, and many times very creamy and thick. The most famous example of a stout is undoubtedly Guiness, the Irish classic. While it is a damn good beer, real Guiness is very thick and creamy, and takes a little getting used to because it's so heavy.
Overall, stouts and porters are something you can enjoy more once you move through lagers and ales-it's the next step along the darkness and heaviness of beers.
How to properly drink a beer
Most people know something about the technique for drinking wine-lots of swirling, smelling and small tasting. What you probably didn't know is that drinking beer the same way is the best way to get the most of the beer you're drinking (unless it's something like PBR...another one to avoid)
The first step is to pour your beer in a glass. Drinking beer out of a bottle or can certainly isn't a bad way to do it, but I think you'll find once you start drinking all your beers from a glass you'll never go back.
First up, the pour: tilt your glass and pour down the side, then when the level is near the top, start turning the glass upright and twist it. If you do this right, you'll get a nice head on your beer and it will look the picture at the beginning of this article.
This next step depends on what kind of beer you're drinking-some are actually a little better warmer because the flavor comes out. I can't tell you exactly which ones to warm, but trial and error isn't a bad way to figure it out. To warm your beer a little, just cup your hands around the glass for a few seconds.
Next, just like with drinking wine, pass the beer under your nose and take a sniff to get an idea for flavor. After that, raise your glass up and instead of sipping, just touch enough to cover your lips and then lick it off for the first taste.
Now you're ready to drink it. When you do take a sip, trying exhaling through your nose as you swallow, or if you can't, breathe through your nose just after swallowing. This will give you the full olfactory sensation that will make the beer even better.
I should mention that I learned this whole drinking from an awesome tour guide at the New Belgium Brewery they give free tours, so if you ever want a true pro to tell you about the craft of brewing, check them out: they're in Fort Collins.
Keep in mind-this is just the beginning. The craft and science of drinking beer is huge, and one that takes a lot of trying new things and finding what you like. I hope this serves as a basis to get all those non-drinkers out to try some.
So next time you're at the bar, get a cold one from the tap and enjoy!
Happy Drinking!
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