Gateways

What was your first craft beer? Do you know? Do you remember? Was it love at first sip or did you have to try a few gateways before you discovered what you like? 

I remember while living Stateside being introduced to 'Blue Moon'. It was a hazel amber colour and served with a slice of orange. The taste was very different to the mainstream lagers that I had previously been accustomed to. It was citrusy and quite refreshing. 

Six years on and I would never dream of ordering a Blue Moon however it served its purpose, and opened my eyes to some of the other beer options available. I like to think of it as a gateway to bigger and better things.

Here is a list of beers that I think would serve this same purpose, introduce your palate to some different flavour profiles without jumping in too deep straight away.

Duvel Single (Belgium)

This Belgian golden ale is a light coloured , light bodied beer that finishes with a great clean bite. At 8%abv it packs a punch but is very refreshing and easy drinking. Duvel is available in bottle format in several pubs around Dublin including Pmacs, O'Neills, Brew Dock and the Bath. It is also widely available in off licenses such as O'Briens and even some larger shops such as Dunnes stock it.

Franziskaner Hefeweizen (Germany)

This traditional style of beer originates from Germany. This wheat based beer has orange, banana and citrus notes with a hint of clove and nutmeg. This beer is another easy drinking refreshing ale that is well worth a try, especially on a warm sunny day. Franziskaner is available sporadically around Dublin bars and pubs. Farringtons in temple bar is a good shout. The beer is also stocked at nearly all good off licenses.

While I mentioned specific beers above there are also certain styles of beer that generally can help broaden your horizons.

Belgian blondes and goldens, Belgian 'witbier' or wheat beers, German hefeweizens, American pale ales.

While there are also some good German lagers and Czech Pilseners I generally think they are not too dissimilar from the mainstream beers and so wouldn't go out of my way to buy one. 

So next time your in your local boozer or out picking up a few bottles, go with something different, you never know where it may lead you.