Favorite Craft Beers When you were starting out

What were some of your favorite craft beers starting out that were memorable to you, or that left an impression on you. They may no longer be a favorite as tastes change, but you remember certain things about the beer, or the occasion, when you had them.

A few of mine, and these were before the days of Parish.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale: One of my first craft beers, and along with SA Oktoberfest, one of the beers that guided me to craft beer.

Sam Adams Oktoberfest: This is one of the beers that got me into craft. While it isn't what i remember it, i used to always try to have this in the fall. Always reminded me of a crisp fall day. When i started homebrewing, the goal was to brew an oktoberfest one day, when i knew what i was doing. Fast forward 7-8 years later, and i've only brewed 1 oktoberfest.

Green Flash Rayon Vert: This beer was like nothing i ever had before. It had so much flavor and was very different from the bitter IPA's i would drink.

Green Flash Le Freak: This beer, like Rayon Vert, was so different form what i ever had. I remember getting lots of hints of bubblegum and halloween candy (particularly the flavor of those wax vampire teeth as a kid). I'm pretty sure there may have been Brett in this beer.

Sam Adams Winter Lager/Noble Pile: Again, Sam Adams was my introduction to craft beers and i used to love both of these beers. Not the same any more, but these were always a staple in the fridge. Always loved having Oktoberfest in Fall, Winter Lager in winter, and Noble Pils in the spring. Noble pils used to have so much earthy hop flavor.

Stone beers: I used to drink a bunch of different stone beers. The hops were a bitter punch to the face. Ruination was always in the fridge, but my favorite may have been levitation. At 4.5%, it was a bit lighter bodied than there other offerings.

Sierra Nevada Celebration: Was my absolute favorite beer. It had great malt backbone to relay the winter season, but wonderful piney hops. I had one not to long ago and it's still pretty damn good. Also, one of my all time favorite labels.

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan: Again, another fall favorite of mine back in the day. I remember getting so much pecan out of it. One of the beers that got my gears turning when i was researching homebrewing. Last time i had it might be about 2 or 3 years ago. It was not that good.

Eel River IPA: I would stop by Marcello's Wine warehouse on my way to my then girlfriend (now wife's) house in capital heights, and pick up beers i've never had before. Beer was more fun then, it seemed. But anyway, i came across this beer. I don't know what it was about that beer, but it always brings me back to going over to that house. I'd show up, put my beer in the fridge, then go run a few miles in that neighborhood before coming back, showering, and then drinking a few on the porch.

Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi: A buddy of mine, back in college, had a beer subscription. They'd send him bottles of different stuff every month (back when you could do that). Well he got a lost abbey beer and it sat in his wine rack for 3 or 4 years. We cracked it open 1 Christmas, post college. It was one of the best beers i ever had. Clearly there was some funk/sour things going on with that beer.

ETA:

Goose Island Sofie: First time really drinking a saison was goose island sofie. Now, saisons are one of my favorite styles. Light, crisp, citrusy, with pepper notes. Still like this beer today. I used to bring some back with me when i went to Houston for the weekend.