Somehow the family of non-beer drinkers got assigned to bring beer to a social event. When I said (in all seriousness but I think received in jest) that I know nothing about beer, the only advice/request I got was, “Just stay away from IPAs.”
So, what beer (specific label/type) is the opposite of an IPA?
Humm, I guess a lager or a Pilsner. How many people? Can you bring two types? Or is that overkill? Do you want premium or regular or one of each? Is this too many questions already?
About a dozen adults so I could bring two types. Premium or regular–no idea. I don’t want super-expensive or fancy (it’s a pretty informal gathering) but I don’t mind paying for a good quality brand.
Don’t know why you’d want to stay away from an IPA. Plenty of people love IPAs.
However, you absolutely can’t go wrong bringing Redhook ESB. Anyone who prefers Bud Light or something or something along those lines can just go stick their beer mug into the toilet, and get a mug of something that tastes the same for free…
Just kidding. Kind of. But there are plenty of very tasty dark beers that aren’t strongly flavored, like wheat beers, and that aren’t too hoppy. You want something that is rich and delicious, but doesn’t have an aftertaste that some might not like. I could walk down the grocery aisle and come up with at least ten.
Well maybe one Samuel Adams lager or Pilsner Urquell. And then one more interesting (drat, I would have brought the IPA) like Blue Moon or something. It is good with an orange slice if you are fancy. Or really there are a lot of people who like Coors Light so you could bring that in the bottle and the Samuel Adams, to make it cheaper and more casual.
I would second the Sam Adams. It usually has broad appeal.
Maybe Sam Adams and Stella - the piss beer people will probably like Stella but it will be a bit nicer. Both are fairly neutral but a bit more “upscale” to bring to an event and if you aren’t bringing that much 2 bucks or so more a 6-pack still wouldn’t make it “super expensive”. Beer prices don’t escalate that much with quality like wine does.
How about New Belgium Fat Tire? It’s an amber ale.
My husband hates IPAs. His favorite beer is Augustiner Brau. You can get it in most large liquor stores. When he can’t get that, he’ll drink Pilsner Urquell–this one is more widely distributed.
I like IPAs, but I like other things too. I’ve never notice Augustiner Brau here, it was our favorite of the beer hall restaurants in Munich. We mostly drank Spaten Bier when we were there. I see it here - it’s a typical German lager. My go to BBQ beer is Brooklyn Lager. Nice clean, not too fancy. Sam Adams (regular style) is definitely a safe pick. Are there going to be people there who wish you also had a lite beer?
Where do you live? Some beers are easier to find in certain locations.
I wanted to give my BIL a selection of different beers, and he is not an IPA fan either. I went to a local liquor store, and the folks there were very helpful. I ended up getting him a Sam Adams Winter Sampler box of 24 to try, and a case of Labatts which is his known favorite.
But the shop was also very willing to put together an assorted case of beers for me…personally selected.
Go to a shop…it will cost you a little more than getting the beer at Walmart, but you will get decent advice (plus support a local business).
Spaten Bier and Corona!
Don’t know where you live but in so many parts of the country, even rural areas, wonderful local breweries have sprung up that brew and bottle good, interesting beer. Where we live, even grocery stores stock a wide selection of beer brewed here in our own state. And our small town has a specialty shop that sells wine and beer, with a knowledgeable staff. You don’t have to pay a fortune for a six pack of really enjoyable beer. Why not bring a variety to the party?
I recently put out a number of interesting beers at a party, as well as some less interesting but more mainstream beers. The mainstream beers disappeared and the more interesting ones were largely untouched. It depends on the people at the gathering, of course, but don’t overestimate how adventurous people are likely to be.
We have five or six home-brewers in our neighborhood. They all host an Oktoberfest party in the fall. There’s always lots of interest in trying new things. That said, I’m always surprised at how much of the boring beer also gets drunk!
Ditto what Hunt said. The best selling beers in the U.S. are watery and not very distinctive domestic brands. Be exotic. If your guests are particular about flavor, try Presidente, Mondelo Negro or Red Stripe.
What I would say is, don’t be too exotic. Get something that’s an upscale version of mainstream beer. The suggestion of something like Pilsner Urquell is an example.
Sam Adams (regular), Stella, Heineken Light, Yuengling
^Actually what Hunt said was despite the fact that American beer is lousy, people like it. So unless you know you are providing beer for aficionados you probably should have some regular beer too.
Can’t go wrong with Sam Adams (more flavor) and either Coors Light or Corona (for those who like bland). Any beer drinker will be happy with one or the other. If you get Corona, limes are a must.