Good First Beers

Iastfan112

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I have a friend never had alcohol in his life who's turning 21 in about a month and I'm looking some suggestions that will help me pick something good. He's shown no great desire to drink going forward but is willing to give it a try so I want to give him something he'd enjoy. At this point I was leaning towards a wheat beer of some sort, maybe a 312 or Boulevard but I'm open to other thoughts.
 

Cychedelia

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I have a friend never had alcohol in his life who's turning 21 in about a month and I'm looking some suggestions that will help me pick something good. He's shown no great desire to drink going forward but is willing to give it a try so I want to give him something he'd enjoy. At this point I was leaning towards a wheat beer of some sort, maybe a 312 or Boulevard but I'm open to other thoughts.

If he's never had alcohol, I don't think beer is the way to go. Probably something girly would be better as it doesn't have a "harsh" flavor.
 

RubyClone

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My cousin was bouncer/bar tender at BJ's back in the 90's. Took me there on my 21st - threw a shot of Hot Damn and 7 up chaser down me, then proceeded to drag me down Main Street repeating the process til we got around and back to BJ's.

It was a quick night.....

312 is a good choice. If you have breweries in the neighborhood - try some flights and see what he likes.
 
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Iastfan112

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If he's never had alcohol, I don't think beer is the way to go. Probably something girly would be better as it doesn't have a "harsh" flavor.

That's next on the agenda, if he doesn't like beer I'll get him a girly drink.
 

Rabbuk

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something that will make him fun. I suggest apple pie shots.
 

ILiftWithRoyce

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Drinking your first beer is like loosing your virginity. You want it to be a special time because you will remember it for a long time. you don't want a pro on the other end, but you don't want dumpster junk either. So I'd suggest a nice mild amber beer. Something like Sam Adams Boston Lager, or Backpocket slingshot dunkel. Or a slightly heftier less pretty girl like Michelob AmberBock. Getting your friend something like Budweiser or Bud Light is the equivalent of buying your friend a syphilis riddled 60 year old prostitute. You only do that if you really really hate your friend.
 

Al_4_State

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Drinking your first beer is like loosing your virginity. You want it to be a special time because you will remember it for a long time. you don't want a pro on the other end, but you don't want dumpster junk either. So I'd suggest a nice mild amber beer. Something like Sam Adams Boston Lager, or Backpocket slingshot dunkel. Or a slightly heftier less pretty girl like Michelob AmberBock. Getting your friend something like Budweiser or Bud Light is the equivalent of buying your friend a syphilis riddled 60 year old prostitute. You only do that if you really really hate your friend.

I remember my first beer better than losing my virginity.

Which is directly due to the fact that I obviously had not been drinking prior to having my first beer.
 

Bret44

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Drinking your first beer is like loosing your virginity. You want it to be a special time because you will remember it for a long time. you don't want a pro on the other end, but you don't want dumpster junk either. So I'd suggest a nice mild amber beer. Something like Sam Adams Boston Lager, or Backpocket slingshot dunkel. Or a slightly heftier less pretty girl like Michelob AmberBock. Getting your friend something like Budweiser or Bud Light is the equivalent of buying your friend a syphilis riddled 60 year old prostitute. You only do that if you really really hate your friend.

Like having a Busch light when you are 15 at a family Christmas?

Good times, goood times.
 

roundball

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Drinking your first beer is like loosing your virginity. You want it to be a special time because you will remember it for a long time. you don't want a pro on the other end, but you don't want dumpster junk either. So I'd suggest a nice mild amber beer. Something like Sam Adams Boston Lager, or Backpocket slingshot dunkel. Or a slightly heftier less pretty girl like Michelob AmberBock. Getting your friend something like Budweiser or Bud Light is the equivalent of buying your friend a syphilis riddled 60 year old prostitute. You only do that if you really really hate your friend.

I can honestly say that I don't remember the first time I drank a beer, or even what it was.

But I definitely know I didn't cry afterwards or have a girl come knocking on my door 9 months later...
 

roundball

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Good way to make your friend not want to drink with you anymore is to get him something he's not going to like.

I have a friend never had alcohol in his life who's turning 21 in about a month and I'm looking some suggestions that will help me pick something good. He's shown no great desire to drink going forward but is willing to give it a try so I want to give him something he'd enjoy. At this point I was leaning towards a wheat beer of some sort, maybe a 312 or Boulevard but I'm open to other thoughts.
 

colbycheese

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You need to narrow it down to a style first. I'd say go with either an amber ale or a wheat (but not a Hefe). Both styles are pretty balanced, mild, and non-offensive.

Just keep him away from the Brazilian/South African/Russian-owned horse pi$$ lagers out there or he'll never drink beer again.
 

Al_4_State

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You need to narrow it down to a style first. I'd say go with either an amber ale or a wheat (but not a Hefe). Both styles are pretty balanced, mild, and non-offensive.

Just keep him away from the Brazilian/South African/Russian-owned horse pi$$ lagers out there or he'll never drink beer again.

I like the thought process here, but my first beer was a Busch Light and let's just say I drank beer again.