Expert: Spencer W Thomas - 8/29/2004

Question
I just turned 21 last week, can you recommend a good beer for someone's first drink?

Answer
Hmm.  That's tough to answer, not knowing your taste preferences, or where you live.

What I would recommend is something other than the mass-market lager style exemplified by Bud, Miller, Michelob, Coors, etc.  Just about anything that is advertised heavily, or that you can buy in a 12-pack is an example of this style.  These beers, in my opinion, have one purpose only: to deliver alcohol in as tasteless a way as possible.  This is especially true when they're served, as they often are, ice cold.

For your first beer, I'd suggest something with some flavor, but nothing too "hefty."  The flavors in beer come from three ingredients.  Malt delivers sweet, bready, sometimes toasty flavors.  Hops have floral or spicy aromas and a bitter taste.  And finally sometimes the yeast with which the beer is fermented will add fruity or (rarely) spicy flavors and aromas.  

If you're not used to bitter tastes, you'll probably want to stay away from hoppy beers such as pale ales or stouts.  A beer that has some flavor, but is not very bitter, and that is available nationwide, is Newcastle Brown.  

If you're up for a bit more of a challenge, you might consider Guinness Draft (either on draft or in the "Draught" can -- the bottled Guinness is much stronger flavored).  This is a fairly mild stout, which has some bitterness both from hops and from the use of "roasted" barley as an ingredient.  It's got a nice creamy head and a coffeeish flavor.

To get an idea what hops contribute to a beer, I'd recommend Sam Adams Boston Lager.  This beer has a medium level of bitterness and a (to my taste) pleasant spicy hop aroma.

Please remember to drink in moderation, whatever you decide to drink.