Tonight I drank beer. I never drink beer.
I just don’t really know how I feel about it, you know? Like, I know I love wine….but beer? Am I in a fraternity? Do I wear a popped color and sunglasses at night?
Don’t answer that.
But seriously. I wish I could get more into beer. I took a beer class during culinary school and it was really quite riveting. I loved learning about the different styles and light versus dark. I think I like light best….I don’t like that dark, bitter taste at all. Okay, pretty much I like anything that I can put fruit into. And that goes for a lot.
So back to tonight. I met a friend from work at the Russian River Brewing Company, which is literally in my backyard, for a beer and salads. I had the spinach salad and one slice of the flatbread you see above.
But the salad was good! And in honor of this month being the campaign for “Make a Change for the Feta”, I ordered feta on top. So good. More on feta making things betta in a little bit.
Back to the beer. What do you like? What should I be on the lookout for? Should I pop my collar and wear sunglasses at night?
Sincerely,
Clueless in California.
Jackie
July 1, 2010 at 11:04 pmI’m really into wheat beers like a Hef or Blue Moon. Anything that you can put an orange or lemon slice in, so yes I like to put fruit in everything too. 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
July 2, 2010 at 4:25 pmSeconded. Blue Moon is awesome, so is Shock Top.
Cheri
July 1, 2010 at 11:12 pmOK, have you tried Blue Moon, or either Great White or Tangerine Wheat (seasonal) from Lost Coast Brewery in Humboldt? They’re all pretty fruity and sweet (especially the tangerine!). And I know it’s not beer, but how about a hard cider like Fox Barrel? It’s sort of like a beer-wine hybrid – the pear is awesome.
maureen
July 1, 2010 at 11:13 pmblue moon for sure 🙂
Rachel
July 1, 2010 at 11:32 pmblue moon is my fave with an orange slice, or even a little oj to top it off : ) mmmmm!
Steph
July 1, 2010 at 11:34 pmMy husband would be so jealous. That is one of his favourite breweries. He is super into Sours and they make a good sour.
My favourites are Belgians and plain ol Lagers. I started backwards and started drinking darks, then went to lights. There are some really great darks that don’t taste bitter at all. St Peter’s makes a great Cream Stout that is yummy. And there are a bunch of Chocolate darks. If you don’t like that bitter taste (same here, btw) stay away from Stone.
Melanie
July 1, 2010 at 11:42 pmHey Jenna!
I absolutely loooove wine, but am a beer kind of gal too! My recommendation is trying some of the lighter beers….Some of my personal faves are Italian beers, particularly Birra Moretti (http://www.birramoretti.com/company.htm) and Perroni!
Yum, Yum, Triple Yum! 🙂
Melanie
July 1, 2010 at 11:42 pmHey Jenna!
I absolutely loooove wine, but am a beer kind of gal too! My recommendation is trying some of the lighter beers….Some of my personal faves are Italian beers, particularly Birra Moretti (http://www.birramoretti.com/company.htm) and Perroni!
Yum, Yum, Triple Yum! 🙂
Kerri Beth
July 2, 2010 at 12:07 amLittle Creatures Pale Ale from Australia is delicious.
https://www.littlecreatures.com.au/Beers-Category/menu-id-59.html?19fddaa15ad0d370cbf41fb475b600b6=b0fa4999145bf013be7fa87b9f50b757
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs
July 2, 2010 at 12:09 amI’m with you, I hate beer too! I think it tastes FOUL! But then I also think wine and all alcohol tastes pretty rum…
CalliNae
July 2, 2010 at 1:26 amI hate beer too! I went to the Cambridge Beer Festival, and tried and tried to enjoy drinks. Awful. I even tried a ‘Dark chocolate orange stout.’ … tasted nothing like chocolate oranges. Bleh!
Lindsay @ Summit Sandwiches
July 2, 2010 at 2:54 amBlue Moon is far and away my fav. It’s a nice wheat ale with a beautifully light and refreshing citrus taste to it. Shocktops have a similar quality to them, but Blue Moon is still my fav!
Kath
July 2, 2010 at 3:16 amMatt talks about RRBC all the time!!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
July 2, 2010 at 3:32 amI feel the same way about beer. I do like fruity beer, tho.
Nora@LifeLifeEatRight
July 2, 2010 at 3:43 amMy dad got me really into wine and beer! I like really hoppy beers…micro brews are insanely better tan anything I’ve ever had. I like a good IPA. It isnt too dark but lots of flavor and you can just sip it well. Goes nicely with feta too 🙂
Beth
July 2, 2010 at 3:53 amWeyerbacher Merry Monks or Double Simcoe are my favorites. They’re both fruity/citrusy and clean tasting. I do like a nice dark beer once in a while too, but not if it’s really bitter. Yuck.
Kristin
July 2, 2010 at 3:55 amIf you like light colored, fruity beers-Try something like Hoegaarden and put a large slice of blood red orange in it or try Pyramid apricot! I am in Maine right now and they have so many local blueberry and strawberry beers here! Delicious !!
Sarah
July 2, 2010 at 3:56 amI love beer–in all varieties! I have found that I’m generally not a fan of anything too hoppy, but I love Sam Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, the delicious and rich raspberry Lambic, and a wheaty hef like Paulaner!
Corinne (breathe and savor)
July 2, 2010 at 8:51 amsam smiths oatmeal stout…aaabsolutely delish!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
July 2, 2010 at 4:02 amI’m not a beer fan also I would rather have wine or even a cocktail over beer. something about the taste and smell that I’m not into.
alexe @ soyaetchocolat
July 2, 2010 at 4:06 amI can’t help you very much… I hate beer and wine, always have and probably always will even though everybody tell me I’ll get use to the taste eventually. I don’t mind trying to like mushrooms but wine and beer? Not so much. The only beer I tried and liked was a black one. It tasted like coffee and chocolate! Yum!
Jenny
July 2, 2010 at 4:07 amI’m all about shocktop and blue moons!
Courtney @ 3 Months
July 2, 2010 at 4:13 amFat Tire and Blue Moon are pretty delicious! For fruity beer, have you tried woodchuck? It’s pretty tasty!
Madison
July 2, 2010 at 4:13 amLeinenkugle (sp?) Summer Shandy is delish! It has Lemonade in it!
Linda
July 2, 2010 at 4:23 amTry magic hat #9. It’s a light beer with a hint of apricot – yum!!
Beyond The TextBook
July 2, 2010 at 1:53 pmI second this! I am not a huge beer drinker, but just got into this and I love it!! mmm!! 🙂
eatmovelove
July 2, 2010 at 4:31 amI am definitely a Beer drinker – nothing like coming home after a long day and drinking a beer with cheese and crackers…yeah i’m sophisticated like that…;)
Don’t like the dark stuff though.
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
July 2, 2010 at 4:32 amThe frat boy beer connotation is so outdated sister! You live in California for crying out loud! You’ve got one of the best breweries there and should definitely check it out for a lesson or two. It’s called Sierra Nevada.. They make a truly amazing Pale Ale.
Ella
July 2, 2010 at 6:18 amHee hee – I agree about the frat boy connotation 🙂 And I think beer is totally an acquired taste, just like wine or other alcohol. Jenna, if you can learn to like a green spinach-filled smoothie, you, too, can one day love beer! (no sunglasses at night required)
Heather
July 2, 2010 at 7:57 amohhh, frat boy, I think not….I have a love for both wine and beer as well.
There are some amazing beers out there. I am assuming that you don’t like a “hoppy” beer so you may want to stay away from the stronger Pale Ales – but if you want to give a shot – try a Dale’s Pale Ale (and yes it is in a can, but there is a story, and it’s not cheap…)and then if you want to do a fruity beer, try a lambic (Belgium beer) maybe a Lindeman’s Peche Lambic for a hot day…very nice. Next try a saison or a farmhouse ale like Great Divide’s – Colette Farmhouse Ale – works very nice with various dishes. And if you want something that is way yummy and is barrel aged with borbon – try Allagash Curieux – it is a wonderfully light beer but don’t drink too many…very high alcohol content.
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
July 2, 2010 at 4:35 amSam Adams has a new blackberry beer that I am def a fan of.
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
July 2, 2010 at 8:13 amLove Sam Adams 🙂
Marianne
July 2, 2010 at 8:44 amOoo Sam Adams also has a Cherry Wheat beer that is fruity too. Good Call!
Karla
July 2, 2010 at 4:44 amI like beer the more I drink it. A year ago, I hated it. Then I went to grad school where everyone drinks beer and now I like it. I agree with others, wheat beers are good.
Someone mentioned Woodchuck earlier, it’s actually a cider, not a beer, but really sweet and fruity!
Sam Adam’s summer ale is really tasty!
carolinebee
July 2, 2010 at 4:54 amI love beer!! I am a total beer convert after not ever drinking it in college. Numba one is Blue moon, followed by Heinekin Light, and omg!!- there is a seasonal beer called Pumpkin Spice Ale!! You would loooveee it, espesh when the bartender puts brown sugar on the rim, yum!! 😀
Rachel D
July 2, 2010 at 4:55 amA nice Porter (dark) beer is good, you can taste the foods used in them better (chocolate & coffee) and they don’t have nasty aftertaste. I don’t know any good ones on the west coast but I find that local beers are the best, there is just something about them! Also try ordering a “flight” (sometimes called a paddle with beer) that way you can try more beer types for less money until you find something you like.
Becca
July 2, 2010 at 4:56 amI live down the road from one of the only certified organic breweries in the country (Pisgah Brewing). I’m not a huge beer drinker either, but one sip of that deliciousness will change your life.
Jess
July 2, 2010 at 5:00 amI recently started brewing my own beer and it is really very interesting. I don’t do wine but I love to seek out unique and rare beers. I love dark beers and most dark beers aren’t bitter they are heavy on dark malt (sweet) and light on hops (bitter). Dogfish head, which was only miles from my hometown, has some pretty solid microbrews. I’d like to learn more about the microbrews on the west coast, any suggestions?
Amy
July 2, 2010 at 10:11 amNot sure where you’re located, but if you want to check out microbrews on the west coast, there are loads of beer festivals during the summer. Portland, OR in particular has a ton of breweries around town.
Julie
July 2, 2010 at 5:05 amNOO do not pop your collar while drinking beer, haha. Whatt??? Beer is awesome. ANDDD you can even put fruit in it! As mentioned above, Blue Moon is a light, refreshingly crisp, citrusy beer. It’s usually served with an orange. You might like most belgian wheats. Also, there are a lot of dark beers that are very smooth without any bitterness, while there are a lot of “light” beers that are incredibly bitter. A lot of pubs/microbreweries will include the IBU on their beer lists. It tells you how bitter or hoppy the beer will be. Go for low numbers. You might also like lambics.. kind of like a bubbly, cider-ish, fruity beer. Old Speckled Hen is my current favorite.. it’s dark but not bitter at all. Sorry, I had to step in on behalf of beer, haha. I loooove beer! Your blog inspires me to drink and enjoy more wine though, 🙂
Janelle
July 2, 2010 at 5:07 amBeer is awesome. I drink it with or without sunglasses, and never with a popped collar. You have plenty of good advice above on what to try, but if you don’t get into it, no problem. More for me.
Jess
July 5, 2010 at 2:34 pmAmen sister. The world of beer is so, SO, beyond frat boys and keg stands. Do not, I repeat DO NOT drink good beer with your collar popped….phew, had to get that off my chest!
Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries
July 2, 2010 at 5:12 amSo funny because I’m SUCH a beer girl and don’t like wine at all. Maybe we can help eachother like “the other drink”!
jane
July 2, 2010 at 5:14 amha i am the opposite-i really dont like wine that much but LOVE beer. i try to like wine to not be the beer guzzlin chica in the midst of dainty wine drinkers, but it just isnt working out for me. I am like you, however, and like light, wheat beers. Some suggestions: Blue Moon is def awesome, they have a great summer version as well. Allagash White is awesome, Sam Adams Summer, Magic Hat #9, Hoegaarden, Wachusett Blueberry, Paulaner, Leffe, UFO. You should mix and match (which you can do at some places) and bring on your camping trip!!
Jen
July 2, 2010 at 5:21 amMy most favorite beer ever just came out – but I’m not sure if they have it on the West Coast. Harpoon Crystal Wheat – it’s a wheat beer brewed with lemon already in it. Since I put lemon in pretty much all the beer I drink, it’s perfect! Light and refreshing for summer.
Kelly
July 2, 2010 at 5:22 amI don’t really like beer either, but if I do drink it, I drink something so light that it tastes like water w/bubbles (Bud Light/Bud Select) or something fruity (Blue Moon, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy). Fancy craft beers just taste super bitter to me and they end up just making me thirsty!
Erin
July 2, 2010 at 5:24 amI’m not a big beer drinker AT ALL but while eating Thai last tonight, a Singha really appealed to me. I only drank half but it made me happy.
Karoline
July 2, 2010 at 5:28 amHoegaarden with lemon/Blue Moon with orange!
Natalie
July 2, 2010 at 5:30 amLeinenkugel summer shandy- it’s beer and lemonade together!! But I always love a ice cold miller light with a lime
Andrea
July 2, 2010 at 5:30 amAfter several craft brew festivals and touring all of the breweries AZ has to offer, I do have a new appreciation for beers. I may be no help though because I am typically a fan of porters and stouts. I would suggest ordering a black velvet which is half Guiness, half pear cider. I promise it rules.
CW
July 2, 2010 at 5:32 amHaha, I know a lot of craft brew lovers that would be hurt by comparing them to frat boys 🙂 Nothing of the sort, my dear!
You must try the beer from Lost Coast Brewery. It ROCKS. Also, Leinenkugels from Wisconsin makes a beer that kind of tastes like fruit loops. They make quite a few fruity beers. Good for beginners. Also, if you can find someplace that makes a chile or jalapeno ale, try it with Mexican food. It’s perfect.
Andrea
July 2, 2010 at 8:28 amI totally agree on Leinenkugels tasting like fruit loops! Nobody else agrees with me when I say that!
Krystina
July 2, 2010 at 5:32 amI like Sea Dog Blueberry and Aventinus Weizenbock.
Jess
July 2, 2010 at 5:34 amI love a nice cold beer on a hot summer day. I got totally spoiled going to college in Ft. Collins, CO which is the microbrewery capital. Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat….drool. Blue Moon is also awesome. You can put an orange in any of them. Another college trick I learned, skittles in a beer make it better. Skittbra. Mmmm.
*Andrea*
July 2, 2010 at 5:34 amick i hate beer! the only time i ever enjoyed it was when i traveled to this random belgium bar in brussels i think that had some really cool fruity and sweet (i think it was brown sugar flavored) beers that were local brews. so yum!
feta, on the other hand, is my one true love 😉
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
July 2, 2010 at 5:34 amAh no shame…sometimes only a cold beer will do! 🙂
Di
July 2, 2010 at 5:38 amBeer. Where do I start?! Being from Boston, my favorite summer beer is Sam Adams Summer Ale. I recommend that. And Shipyard Brewing Company’s Pumpkinhead Ale in the fall. I was just in San Francisco and Anchor Brewing Company’s Summer Beer was a really great beer. I also enjoyed Prohibition Speakeasy but you may not if you’re not really a beer drinker.
You can’t really go wrong with Blue Moon or Shock Top for a year-round beer, though.
And that salad looks fantastic.
Sarah
July 2, 2010 at 5:42 amBeer is one of those things that is just perfect to me on a hot summer day. I’m not ashamed to admit that there’s nothing better to me than a cold Bud Light but if I really want to enjoy the beer I go with Blue Moon. So so good with an orange slice floating on top.
diana@mymarblerye
July 2, 2010 at 5:43 amif you popped a collar and wore sunglasses that would mean you like beer BONGS. 😉
FloridaGirl
July 2, 2010 at 5:59 amha! I second that 🙂 Or Natty Light…
Kait
July 2, 2010 at 5:53 amI LOVE beer!! I’m in an around the world beer club in my college town. I drank 100 different beers (not all at once 😉 ) from a card and when I finished I got a t-shirt and a plaque with my picture up on the wall in the bar…it really helped me get into obscure beers, although I’ve always been a beer girl!
Some of the faves that aren’t too heavy are: Holy Mackeral Golden Ale, Abita’s Andy Gator, Sweetwater 420, and Terrapin Rye Pale Ale…good luck adventuring into beer!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
July 2, 2010 at 5:57 amI’ve never been much a beer girl, but I do enjoy a Dogfish now and then. 😀
emily
July 2, 2010 at 5:58 amI want to like beer but a lot of times I take a few sips and then hold the bottle till it gets warm and gross. HOWEVER – Tusker (from South Africa) is delicious and totally chuggable. I highly recommend it.
Jessica
July 2, 2010 at 5:58 amI like wine and beer but wine gives me awful headaches even after just one glass! So beer it is! I agree with a lot of others also…Blue Moon is good as well as Shock Top but also Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat. Sunset Wheat is one of my favs and totally smells like fruit loops! I think someone else said the same thing! Its great!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
July 2, 2010 at 6:05 amI like beer, but not as much as wine. It always leaves me a bit too full. However, in summer there’s nothing better than a good wheat beer with citrus. You’d like Hoegaarden with a wedge of orange. So light and refreshing.
Carly
July 2, 2010 at 6:07 amOne beer that I think is a good “starter” beer for people who don’t drink beer often is Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss. It’s like half beer and half wine cooler. From there, their Summer Shandy is a delicious next step. Good luck in your beer drinking quest! I decided to “learn” how to drink beer and recruited a friend to “teach” me how. Five years later, we got married 🙂
Christina
July 2, 2010 at 6:07 amHey Jenna!
I actually don’t like beer either…as a matter of fact, I’ve never even had an entire beer to myself (gasp!). I do have friends who love Blue Moon with an orange slice in it. You could always try that…and as far as sunglasses at night, nope. BUT if you wanted to pop your collar, i’m sure you could sneak it in there 🙂
-xoxo,Christina
Lindsay
July 2, 2010 at 6:09 amI’m with you on beer! I want to like it, especially when we’re at the football games, but I just can’t. The only beer I can handle is a Corona, and even then, I can only do like one…maybe I just haven’t found the right one. Now wine on the other hand…fill me up and don’t let it go empty! 🙂
Kristin
July 2, 2010 at 6:16 amCome on now, I thought you weren’t one to judge by a stereotype! Lets focus on the nicer, fun frat guys you might remember from your days in the Greek system. You’re definitely not the first person I know who said they didn’t like beer. I find that for most of these people the only beer they have had is from a keg and is cheap Busch or Natty Light. Don’t be afraid of dark beer. Beers like Guiness and also some Bocks are incredibly smooth and not bitter at all. When trying a beer, as the bartender for a “less hoppy” beer, that always works for me. As per other people, wheat is always a good option. Try my personal fav, Shiner Bock. Made in Texas and deliciously drinkable.
Sarah
July 2, 2010 at 6:22 amI actually prefer the dark, bitter beers, and I don’t like the light ones. My best advice? Go to a beer tasting, find out what you love, and stick with that- for the most part. I pretty much stick with what I know I like but will often taste other beers “just to try them.” Sometimes I find a new love:-).
Amanda
July 2, 2010 at 6:24 amI agree with you on the beer – I have to be in the mood for it, and I really can’t just drink Bud Light anymore – reminds me of drinking it semi-warm out of a solo cup in college. Blue Moon is one of my favorites, I love squeezing the orange in it! Shock Top is very similar. Like Corona, too. I have started getting into IPAs like Sierra Nevada, but they have a little bit of that bitter bite to it. Really though, I suggest trying a stronger beer after something like a run or hike or ski session … you won’t mind the taste so much because it’ll just be sooo refreshing!
Hailey(Adventures in Health)
July 2, 2010 at 6:30 amI am a total wussy beer drinker! It def has an acquired taste. Recently I found one called HoneyMoon. Its slightly sweet from the clover honey, and has a hint of orange from the orange zest they put in as well. Ice cold and its sooo good. Its seasonal though, so I think they only make it in the summer. Give it a try it won’t disappoint!!! -Hailey-
Erin
July 2, 2010 at 6:31 amI am mor einto micro-brews then domestics, but a brand to try would be:
New Belgium Brewery Beer – I lived a mile from this sustainable brewery in Colorado and there beer is organic, delicious and comes in a million flavors… I would bike to it a couple times a week and they would give me a free sampling tray each time, so began my love affair with New Belgium.
I think they sell it in Cali. Check it out!
Michelle @ NewLeafEats
July 2, 2010 at 6:34 amI’m not into beer, but probably for the same reason I honestly wasn’t that big into wine or any type of alcohol starting out. I put it in my food, but drinking is straight didn’t/doesn’t thrill me. The husband likes beer, but he’s picky about it. He loves Mexican beers (particularly Corona), but his favorite was a beer he had in Costa Rica. “Emperial” or something.
The other day we were at World Market and he just about drooled all over the “build your own 6-pack” display. And I have to admit, I almost did too.
Midgetkeeper
July 2, 2010 at 6:36 amI am a beer lover, once it hits your lips it’s so good 😉
Katie @ peacebeme
July 2, 2010 at 6:37 amBeer is so much more classy than people give it credit for! I am a total beer snob, there are so many different kinds, qualities, and good pairings to make.
If you don’t like a hoppy (bitter) taste that much – try wheat beers. They are much more mild and perfect for summer! You can even put a slice of lemon in them (fruit!) 😉
Tara
July 2, 2010 at 6:38 amYou might like a nice hefeweizen, which is a light wheat beer. You can even put fruit in it (i.e. a slice of lemon)!
I recently went to a brewfest and tried Pyramid’s Apricot Ale — very tasty! It was almost like a cider. I suggest you try as many beers as you can. You might be surprised at how much you like them. My favorite beers are amber ales — Boont in particular. So smooth and creamy!
Jordan
July 2, 2010 at 6:49 amOh my goodness you lucky girl with RR in your backyard. Pliny the Elder is just fantastic – citrus, pine, but smooth.
There really are so many great beers, if you like fruit in your beer – go for Hoegaarden or other Hefeweizens/Wheat Beers. You might also like some Lambics out there; peach, cherry, etc.
Or a sweet/tart flemish.
Beer is a glorious world certainly worth exploring. Cali has some of the best breweries!
Jess @ Jessica is Getting Fit
July 2, 2010 at 6:50 amIf you like Russian River’s beers you might like Lost Abbey’s beers too. They are out of California too and they are so good! I don’t drink the stuff like people drank in college – I look for more craft offerings in belgian styles or in pales!
Valerie
July 2, 2010 at 6:51 amI looooooove beer. Russian River Brewing makes my (and my husband’s) favorite beer: Pliny the Elder. It’s a hoppy IPA, not for the faint of heart. But honestly, I think all RR Brewing beers are good. In fact, I was just there with girlfriends during my bachelorette party and everything I tasted was delicious. Keep trying!
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 6:56 amI love beer! I didn’t used to, but the more I try, the more I love. 🙂 I like to go to Total Wine, where you can buy single beers, and try a new one every once in a while.
I highly recommend Magic Hat #9, light with a hint of apricot. You must try that one! Sea Dog has blueberry and apricot beer, both yummy. I love anything by Sam Adams (except Noble Pils), and you should definitely try Sam Summer.
Katie Heddleston
July 2, 2010 at 6:56 amI personally, can’t stand the taste of beer-however, my husbanad likes Leinenkugel and Blue Moon the best.
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 6:57 amPS. Seasonal brews…come fall, you MUST try some pumpkin beer!
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 6:58 amOops, sorry the double post.
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 6:59 amUgh! *About* I meant sorry about the double post. lol
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
July 2, 2010 at 6:57 amI could never get into beer up until very recently. In college it was always the horrible cheap kind so I think it’s no wonder! I got into it slowly…starting with fruity lambics and going from there. I think breweries make some really nice gourmet beers that can be just as nice as a good glass of wine :).
Paula
July 2, 2010 at 6:58 amPS. Seasonal brews…come fall, you MUST try some pumpkin ale!!
Tina
July 2, 2010 at 7:00 amI hate beer. I like sweet drinks all the way. I mostly drink sweet wines, Mike’s hard & sometimes vodka drinks. My husband doesn’t really drink anymore, but he drank Guinness. Eww. He has always made fun of me for not drinking beer, saying it was my boyfriends’ faults early on for buying me wine coolers. Hey-they were cool in the 80’s!
R @ learningasichop.wordpress.com
July 2, 2010 at 7:02 amI’m with you. I cannot get into beer at all. Sometimes we’ll drink cider or I’ll do a wheat beer or beer blanche. That’s it.
Jordan
July 2, 2010 at 7:09 amOh and Xingu – a Brazilian black beer that has the faint taste of tea. Good Stuff. Also, check out this book
http://www.amazon.com/Said-Beer-She-Wine-Impassioned/dp/0756633591
He Said Beer, She Said Wine is Marnie Old and Sam Calagione (owner of Dogfish Head) discussing beer/wine food pairings and the merits of each. Enjoy!
Jenny
July 2, 2010 at 7:12 amI’ve never been a huge beer fan, I’ve always been a wine girl. IF I do drink beer though I usually get a Corona Light (refresing) or a Fat Tire. Can’t go wrong there.
jenna
July 2, 2010 at 7:16 ami stick to wine 🙂
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life
July 2, 2010 at 7:17 amYou are missing out! Seriously, beer is so good. I believe there is a beer for every occasion – good moods, bad moods, hot summer days, cold blizzardy nights, with salad or with nachos. Fruity beers are good, don’t get me wrong, but dark beers have their place, too. Some stouts can be so creamy and chocolately and coffee-y….almost makes you wish for winter! (almost)
Marisa
July 2, 2010 at 7:24 amI wasn’t terribly into beer until I moved to WI! People here LOVE beer! Next time you are visiting WI you should try Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewery. It is only sold in WI and is my favorite! Otherwise I usually prefer wheat beers. I drink Guiness once a year ( St Pats ), but I much prefer my Guiness in a chocolate cake! Have a great holiday!
Kari
July 2, 2010 at 3:36 pmSpotted Cow! I’m also from WI, and not typically a beer drinker (prefer the wine and drinks), but I like New Glarus’ Spotted Cow a lot. Even my husband says it’s good, and he’s a beer snob. I also like this apple ale, I think it’s called Ephemere Apple (or something to that extent), they sell it in individual bottles at our Whole Foods here in Milwaukee, and serve it at a few restaurants. It’s sweet and definitely a girly beer, tastes like boozy apple juice.
Melanie
July 2, 2010 at 7:26 amBeer is sooooo good! I choose beer over wine 75% of the time. Any belgian style is usually really tasty…kinda creamy and sweet. Leffe is delicious. At Russian River my favorite is Damnation or Benediction. North Coast Brewery makes some super yummy beers too.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
July 2, 2010 at 7:26 ami never thought i liked beer til i had a locally brewed amazing one a couple years ago…now all i like are porters, but still! so yummy!
Paige
July 2, 2010 at 7:43 amLove beer! If you like the fruity stuff, stick with a lighter Hefeweizen or Belgian White – very light and refreshing on a summer day. 😀 In the fall, I loooooove pumpkin ales. More fruity “beers” are Lindeman’s lambic beers – Framboise is a favorite. It’s basically like fizzy raspberry beer. You would be surprised at how delicious darker beers can be – my favorites are Newcastle and Bell’s Best Brown Ale. Give them a try!
Kellie
July 2, 2010 at 7:47 amMy husband like Guiness. It looks so good when he pours it, but as soon as I taste it I don’t like it.
Jessica @ Jessica Balances
July 2, 2010 at 7:50 amI personally don’t enjoy beer, even though I have honestly tried (it’s cheaper than a cocktail or wine!) – but I just refuse to force myself to drink something I don’t like. Maybe one day I will change my mind… probably not 🙂
Kelly
July 2, 2010 at 7:51 amI LOVE good beer! You need to try BANANA BREAD BEER! It is soooo yummy!
Angela
July 2, 2010 at 7:54 amI know nothing about beer, but I do know I prefer light to dark, and when in doubt a Hoegaarden always satisfies. A great beer drink is Hoegaarden and Framboise. It’s so light and refreshing. Some people refer to it as a “dirty hoe” but I think that’s reserved for Hoegaarden and Guiness. Sam Adams also makes a strawberry beer and a blackberry beer, I LOVE these too.
Rebecca
July 2, 2010 at 7:55 amI. Love. Beer. I can assure you that I am not in a fraternity, and I have never a collar popped. Honestly, I really can’t get into wine–it’s way too acidic to me, and I need some sweetness. So beer is my drink. I didn’t always love it–in college I mainly drank liquor and fru-fru malt liquor drinks that I now find disgusting (Smirnoff Ice, anyone?). So, you too can learn to love beer!
Blue Moon is a great starting beer, AND you get an orange. Don’t start on luke warm Miller High Life (the champagne of beers!) like I did. There are SO many varieties and SO many fruity beers–you WILL find something you love. Then branch out from there (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale–as someone mentioned above–is excellent, by the way).
Becki @ HikeBikeEat
July 2, 2010 at 8:03 amI’ve never like wine :-/. I’ve tried, and I’ll keep trying, but beer is my drink choice. For a really good quality Hefeweizen, try Franziskaner – it has a light scent of cloves and oranges, and has no bitter taste. A good stout is Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout – a heavy coffee/chocolate flavor, and a little more bitter at the end, but overall very smooth and delicious!
Ana
July 2, 2010 at 8:11 amHILARIOUS! its so obvious you are an SEC girl based on your frat boy comments and i love it! i’m an LSU alum and there is something just so wrong about the Natty Light consumption a la popped collar and Ray-Bans.
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle
July 2, 2010 at 8:17 amAll the beer hating is so sad! There are so many kinds, especially with all the microbeers out in the West Coast states. Natty light- yes, very frat. But there are plenty of classier beers out there. They are admittedly harder to find on the East Coast though. Try a sampler at a brewery to figure out what works better for you, promise it won’t taste like a frat party 😉 . My favorites are porters and stouts. They have delicious smoky, chocolaty, caramel, coffee, etc undertones. My only problem with beer is that I get more full than with wine.
Heather
July 2, 2010 at 8:25 amI was never into Beer until I went to England and Scotland. Here in the States I thought only Bud Light and Miller Light existed, and those are just yuck! When I went overseas I was introduced to a whole other world of delicious beers out there which opened my eyes to the fact that you can find the fun, fancy beers here in America too, you just have to look for them a little harder.
My favorite find is Magner’s which is an Irish Cider. Some bars serve it over ice, and it’s like drinking Apple Juice. Other good ones are Strongbow or any good IPA.
Cheers!
Courtney
July 2, 2010 at 8:27 amLeave the Bud Light to the frat boys and move on. Good beer is definitely an acquired taste but one that someone who enjoys food and wine as much as you should definitely explore. My husband is a chef and we appreciate food pairings with both beer and wine. I prefer dark beer, such as stouts and lagers, but that is more for taste and enjoyment than refreshment. My husband and I typically drink Guinness or Warsteiner Dunkel. Becki – Old Rasputin is definitely one of my favorites. Newcastle is a darker beer that is also quite refreshing. Typically I don’t like fruity beer but the perfect transition from drinking wine to beer is Lindemann’s Peche Lambic. They have other flavors as well.
Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary
July 2, 2010 at 8:28 amI’m definietly not a beer drinker… but sometimes on a really hot summer day, nothing tastes better than an ice cold newcastle. It’s not a pale ale, but it doesn’t have that weird bite/ after taste. It’s best when it comes from an icy cooler 😉 And when I drink it, it MUST stay really cold or I can’t do it ! ..I guess that means I drink it fast ? HAHA
Kate
July 2, 2010 at 8:43 amBell’s Two Hearted Ale or Oberon would both be great with and Orange slice. Or any beer by Lindeman’s– they are really carbonated and actually taste like champagne! Oh and they’re really fruity and delicious, I just had the Peche last weekend and it was fantastic.
Or if you want to try a dark beer that’s sweeter, Left Hand Milk Stout is heavenly. But you can never go wrong with a Guinness either!
Can you tell that I like beer a lot?
La.
July 2, 2010 at 8:44 amYuck, beer is a waste of space and calories!
Corinne (breathe and savor)
July 2, 2010 at 8:49 amnever pop your collar. sunglasses at night can be fun after a few brews! ha. if you can try sam adams summer ale WITH lemon. 🙂 its refreshing and lemony and summery and eeeeee i wait all year for this beer!
Melissa
July 2, 2010 at 8:50 amSo you definitely need to try this…fill a glas 3/4 full with Leinenkugel’s summer shandy and then fill the rest of the glass with Lindemans Framboise Rasberry. It’s so delicious and a summery drink 🙂
Katie@ Two Lives, One Lifestyle
July 2, 2010 at 10:58 amAnother good one is half Framboise and half Hoegarden. It tastes like a less sugary popsicle!
Alison
July 2, 2010 at 9:02 amBlue Moon is such a good lighter beer for the summer. It’s my favorite! Add an orange slice and it doesn’t get much better than that!
lisanne
July 2, 2010 at 9:14 amtry 21st amendment in SF – they have watermelon beer! i don’t even like beer but it’s worth it for the watermelon slice… plus, you can always ask for extra 🙂
Nic G
July 2, 2010 at 9:20 amCoronado Brewing Company makes a delish light beer called Orange Avenue Wit. Its fruity and light. Have you ever tried barley wine?
Lauren
July 2, 2010 at 9:21 amMmmm…Beer. Since moving to the best beer drinking city ever (Philly), I’ve become obsessed. And I promise, dark beers do not have to be bitter – blech. See if you can find Southern Tier’s Chocolat. It’s exactly like having a piece of fudge. DELISH.
In fact, if you’re anti bitter, I’d stay away from IPAs, which are actually light in color.
Kirsten
July 2, 2010 at 9:36 amSam Light all the way!
I can’t drink wine unless it’s organic or any cheap beer (Blue Moon included…sorry) without getting a terrific headache.
I stick with Sam Adams exclusively…
they do such a great job of featuring seasonal beers and you gotta love the variety packs!
Suzanne de Cornelia
July 2, 2010 at 9:38 amHave never had a beer in my life. It smells icky, and the name sounds like a dirty boat of stinky men.
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
July 2, 2010 at 9:38 amI don’t drink beer either. I just don’t like it like I do wine 🙂
A
July 2, 2010 at 9:43 amIf you’re ever in Oregon, go to a McMenamins Pub: http://www.mcmenamins.com/ and see if they have a Purple Haze, and if they don’t have that, order a Ruby. The two best beers of all time. They even beat the Blue Moon beers everyone is mentioning, which I love, as well. 🙂
Tasha
July 2, 2010 at 9:49 amIf you like everything fruit I would suggest trying the Blueberry or Wraspberry Ale! They’re yummy…made even better by putting frozen berries in the bottom of your glass before serving 🙂
Shannon
July 2, 2010 at 9:51 amTry a hefeweizen with some orange slices, that way you can still have your fruit. 🙂
Shannon
July 2, 2010 at 9:51 amOh, and my favorite beer, is at Trader Joes, in the fall, they carry a pumpkin beer that is really good.
Shannon
July 2, 2010 at 9:52 amBud light lime is also good.
Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa
July 2, 2010 at 10:13 amI was never that into beer. Being from the midwest there were plenty of parties with Miller Lite. When I smell Miller Lite it makes me want to gag. I do however like Blue Moon, Sam Adams Summer, Stella, and especially Fat Tire, which is a bit richer. I perfer light beers. I’ve found that a great way to find beers is to go to a beer bar or a bar with plenty of microbrews. Tell them the kind that you like (blue moon, fat tire) and they almost always have something similar. I would say that if you want to be a beer connoissoeur, microbrews are the way to go.
Rachel
July 2, 2010 at 10:38 amAs a wife of a man who homebrews I know more about beer that I ever would have hoped. Most of the time I would choose wine over beer, but there are some really amazing beers are so flavorful that they rival a glass of wine. I’m totally jealous that you live so close to the Russian River Brewery. Try their Russian River Damnation next time. So good and fruity. Watch out for the high alcohol content though, it totally got me! 🙂
Monica
July 2, 2010 at 11:01 amTry Ithaca Apricot Wheat. It’s a light beer with the sweet aroma and taste of apricots. And I’m sure you could throw one or two apricots in there if you really wanted!
Kyle
July 2, 2010 at 11:02 amStop drinking blue moon and drink a GOOD witbeer hoegaarden or allagash dubbel white. Not to hate on blue moon but that shit is low quality when compared to hoegaarden or gruut wit beer or something similar.
Kelly
July 2, 2010 at 11:39 amWine too is my first love, but I sometimes have a brief affair with beer. This especially depends on where I’m at, who I’m with, and the weather. NC has some really great beers you should look out for including Angry Angel and Hells Bells (made by Big Boss). I also really like different variations of hefeweizens. Blue Moon and any seasonal summer beer might be a good choice for you if you like citrus-y flavors.
miranda
July 2, 2010 at 12:05 pmI know what you mean about the wine over beer thing, but sometimes, beer is just GOOD! You should go to The Bear Republic Brewing Co back in Healdsburg and get a sampler-little glasses of all their home brews, and they’re great! (But all the effort goes into the beer and the food can be not so fantastic.)
Jess
July 2, 2010 at 12:09 pmI love wine- but I tend to stick with reds, so when the weather starts to get warm, I find that I am craving a nice cold beer. As I am sure many have already said, beer is an acquired taste. Anyone who says they loved it right away is just lying… my advice would be to buy local. No matter where you are, there are so many microbreweries out there that make AMAZING beer. Just like wineries. And since its summer, they almost always will be featuring some sort of wheat beer (which is great with fruit).
Rebecca
July 2, 2010 at 12:54 pmI love beer AND wine. I appreciate both. My brothers actually make beer. You salad has inspired me to bring my weekend guests to the local brewing company near my apartment. They have the BEST spinach & strawberry salad!
megan
July 2, 2010 at 1:34 pmyes i feel the same way…esp when it’s bitter! You will def love Belgium beers, they are more smooth and go great with citrius fruits. Try a beer called “Blue Moon” and squeeze and orange…holy wow, I’m wanting one right now!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
July 2, 2010 at 1:51 pmI don’t like beer so I don’t think you are missing anything. But that’s just my opinion.
andrenna
July 2, 2010 at 2:00 pmHAIL TO GIRL BEER DRINKERS!!!!!
I love the responses to this post. It makes me want to start a girl beer blog!!
I’m a big fan of Russian River Brewery. Particularly Consecretation, which is a brown ale fermented in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. It’s funny because I’m not even a big fan of brown ales, this beer is just particularly delicious. Also, I second (or third?) Pliny the Elder!!! It’s the best beer of the year, for sure!!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
July 2, 2010 at 2:03 pmI’ve tried and tried and tried, but I cannot make myself like beer! I’m a wine girl, all the way.
Alexandra
July 2, 2010 at 2:26 pmIt’s unfortunate that most people think of fraternity’s and bud light when referring to beer. Beer can compliment and pair with food just as well as a good wine does. I like both wine and beer, but you have to get out of the realm of the “Big Three” to really find a beer worth the experience.
And.. dark doesn’t mean bitter. Or necessarily even heavy.
Dogfish Head brewing does some of the most interesting and diverse styles of beer out there. I would find a good local beer shop and ask someone if they can help you blow your mind. Most people don’t like beer because a lot of it doesn’t have any flavor. Try different styles of ales – a good oatmeal stout (or milk stout), preferably during the winter time. A raspberry hefeweizen or a good solid pale ale during the summer. Try red ales, amber ales. When you think bitter, you’re probably thinking hops, so you might want to stay away from IPAs (my favorite style) if you don’t like that bite at the end.
Seriously. Find a local beer store… and prepare yourself to be amazed.
Kaitlin @ Catch More Flies with Honey
July 2, 2010 at 3:53 pmJenna, you should try a craft beer place. There’s a place, for instance, in Burbank that only serves organic craft beer from California, and there’s so much flavor to each one.
Mindy
July 2, 2010 at 4:17 pmI’m a beer girl all the way. I don’t pop my collar, I don’t wear sunglasses at night, and I’m not part of a frat. Just sayin ;P it takes a while to move from light beer to dark beer, but not all dark beers are strong and bitter. Like Guinness! Dark, smooth, and a little like coffee. Anyway, if you drink more beer I bet you will start to like it more. I mean, do you really want to be drinking wine when it’s 100 degrees outside?? Doesn’t a nice, cold, refreshing beer sound better? 😉
Laura (Starloz)
July 2, 2010 at 6:26 pmyour pizza crazy, i cant get over all the pizza your eating, i’m a jealous bunny!
Molly
July 5, 2010 at 7:20 amBooo on the stereotyping! 🙂 My favorites (that aren’t dark and bitter): Wheach, Blanche de Bruxelles, Alagash White, and if you want fruity go for a lambic! Lambic can come in cherry, apple, raspberry, peach…and they’re not so “beer-like” too.
Jaqui
July 30, 2010 at 4:37 pmI know this is very late addition to your post, but thanks to a friend I just found out about your A-MA-ZING! blog and am working my way down reading all of them!!!
I for one love BEER, but havent always. I started with very light beers and now drinks dark stouts and porters, no problem.
In terms of light, I would try Delerium Tremens (delicious belgian)
Also try the hoegaarden. Very smooth, light and summery!!
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!