Re: THE BEER THREAD(?)----->!!!
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:16 am
the_carl wrote:Does there exist a beer for people who don't like bitter things? Having never actually had a beer before, I went to a bar with my sister's fiance and tried a few, and despised all of them. Guinness tasted like burnt coffee. There was some sort of IPA that was almost too bitter to finish. There was also something else that I forget what it was, but it also sucked. Some kind of double white something or other? Sooo yeah. Am I stuck with hard liquors?
That bitterness comes from beers that have been over-hopped, which is sadly the big trend in craft beers (especially American ones) the last decade or so. The other big trend that has been done to death is overly-robust stouts. Now, I certainly don't put Guinness in that category, but I could understand why you wouldn't like it.
If you're looking for a beer that isn't overly bitter or roasty, I'd recommend you get a malt-forward beer such as a Scottish Ale, a Marzen/Octoberfest, or a Double Bock. For some of my favorite examples of those styles that are not impossible to find, check out Belhaven's Scottish Ale (or St. Andrews Ale if you can find it), Paulaner's Oktoberfest/Marzen, Ayinger's Celebrator (double bock), and Troeg's Troeginator (double bock). There are better ones of each style, but you should be able to find each of those in any store with a decent beer selection.
They are all smooth, malty styles, with a hint of residual sweetness and are very lightly hopped (just enough to make them not overly sweet).