On tonight’s installment, we’re going to expand your horizons, kids. I was inspired to write this post when I pulled a fast one on a friend recently. (Side note, does saying ‘pulled a fast one’ make me sound like I’m 112? Asking for a friend … )
Said friend asked me to grab them a Blue Moon. I decided to play “Instead of this, try this” and gave her a Dogfish Head Namaste. Same style, but infinitely better, in my opinion. She agreed. So I got to thinking, what other beers do a lot of us order because we know we’ll like them, without thinking of exploring within that same category? Below I listed 10 styles with what the stereotypical choice might be for a lot of people … followed by a suggestion for something you might also like in that same genre. Following me?
PLEASE NOTE: just because I’m recommending something other than the standard choice does NOT mean that I don’t like that beer. There are a few listed below that I actually love … just trying to get you to try something you may not have had before. One last preamble note, I tried to grab suggestions that are pretty easy to find, not some super exotic beer that’s only available at the brewery 7 minutes a year. (Yes, Three Floyds, I’m talking about you!)
Alright … here we go!
THE STYLE: Belgian Wit
THE STANDARD: Blue Moon/ Shock Top
THE RECOMMENDATION: Dogfish Head Namaste. (Duh … I mentioned this above!)
THE STYLE: Pilsner
THE STANDARD: Miller/ Bud/ Coors … heavy or Lite versions
THE RECOMMENDATION: Three Taverns Prince of Pilsen. Or, you can’t go wrong with Pilsner Urquell either.
THE STYLE: Lime-flavored
THE STANDARD: Lime-a-rita. Or anything Mexican you want to drop a lime in.
THE RECOMMENDATION: Dogfish Head Seaquench. No, I don’t work for Dogfish Head. I just wish I did.
And now, a word from our sponsors.
Wait, we don’t have any sponsors. Nevermind … on with the list!
THE STYLE: Mexican beer
THE STANDARD: Corona
THE STYLE: IPA
THE STANDARD: Creature Comforts Tropicalia
THE RECOMMENDATION: Scofflaw Basement. (Or try their Double Jeopardy.)
THE STYLE: Amber
THE STANDARD: New Belgium Fat Tire
THE RECOMMENDATION: Bell’s Amber. Usually known for Two Hearted, their amber is one of the best.
THE STYLE: Ultra Lite beer
THE STANDARD: Michelob Ultra
THE RECOMMENDATION: Water. There’s really no difference
Alright … what say you? Do you have other recommendations? In the categories above or in new ones?
AMEN!!! This is phenomenal
Creature Comforts Tropicalia is the standard for IPA? I must be living under a rock, now where did i put my Mich Ultra….
Good Post!
Maybe not the 'standard', but you know … the one people gravitate towards. 🙂
Haven't tried Victoria, but Pacifico is my favorite Mexican Lager. Great list and ideas!