Gateway Beers

You probably spent your college days drinking Keystone, Natural Light, PBR, The Beast, and Schlitz like me.  You graduated college, got your first job and moved up to the big three:  Coors, Miller, and Bud.  Then, something extraordinary happened, you decided to try a gateway beer and discovered.....FLAVOR!  This blog is an ode to the gateway beers and also a challenge to those still in your first romance to take the next step on your craft beer journey. 

My first gateway beer was Corona.  How great did that lime taste!?!?  I, of course, dabbled in Guinness around St. Patty's day and carbomb shots.  But, my first gateway beer that really opened my eyes was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  I loved it!  What was this floral smell?  The bitter taste? I was hooked.  Luckily, I was working as a waiter at the time and was able to branch out.  But, for those who are still in your first relationship, below is a guide.

GATEWAY BEER----------------------------------------------------------------CRAFT BEER CHALLENGE

Blue Moon-------------Allagash White or Avery's White Rascal (If you really need an orange, you can ask)

Sam Adams Boston Lager-----------------------------------------Great Lakes Elliot Ness or Abita Amber

Corona-----------------------------------------------------------------5 Rabbit from 5 Rabbit Cerveceria

Guinness---------Old #38 Stout from North Coast Brewery or Left Hand Milk Stout (On Nitro Preferably)

Newcastle Brown------------------------Bell's Best Brown or Downtown Brown from Lost Coast Brewery

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale---------------Dales Pale Ale from Oskar Blues or Zombie Dust from Three Floyd's