re: Favorite Craft Beers When you were starting out

I became aware of craft beers in the late 80's. Back then there wasn't a ton of options out there. If I had to pick one gateway beer, it would probably be Sam Adams Boston Lager. You wouldn't even consider that a craft beer these days but it opened my mind to the possibilities. Then I discovered Anchor Steam and SNPA and it was all over. After that it was Chimay and other Belgians and the entire beer world that I never even knew existed opened up for me.

Andygator is the only craft beer worth drinking if the place doesn’t have coors banquet

My “entry level” beers were Canebrake and Reasonably Corrupt. Reasonably Corrupt was really the first dark beer that I cared for.

Now I wouldn’t think twice about Canebrake. I’m still a Reasonably Corrupt fan though.

True story. I was a Bud Light drinker until spring 2013 and the fearless leader of the FBD gave me a random 12-pack to figure out what I liked and disliked.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale won the day and my heart. And now I drink beer for a living.

Lotta nostalgia here.

In college I drank a veritable shite ton of Newcastle. Man I loved that beer. And when I wasn’t trying to be fancy (haha), I loved Turbodog and Lazy Mag’s Southern Pecan. I thought I was a “dark beer” drinker. Haha.

In grad school I drank Yuengling and PBR like it was water, and was a bit of a functioning alcoholic, but along the way I discovered a lot more. Rogue Dead Guy Ale was one of those beers that I can’t forget, as well as Stone’s Arrogant Bastard. But then I had Southern Tier’s 2XIPA and my life was changed. Dale’s Pale Ale became a staple, and then basically the entire Lagunitas lineup, then I started to explore local breweries in my area. It was all downhill from there.

Good times.

On a regular rotation was Magic Hat (#9, Hocus Pocus, Blind Faith, Fat Angel, random seasonals), Long Trail (Ale, Double Bag, and Blackberry Wheat), Otter Creek (Copper ale, Porter, Oatmeal Stout, random seasonals), Switchback, and Smuttynose.

Back in my day Magic Hat sold 9-packs of beer and other 12 packs of craft beer were $9.99 on sale.

Pete’s Wicked Ale, then various Sam Adams beers.

Breckinridge Vanilla Porter
SN Pale Ale
Sweetwater 420
Shiner Bock

I still drink these to this day but not as regularly

Fat Tire
Shiner Bock
All Abitas
Lawn Mower