You gotta crawl before ya walk!
I tried an IPA early in my appreciation for beerhood and was turned off (gerneral sherman IPA) took me all night to get through 3 of em, that is bad. Real bad.
Next I had a 12 er of SNPA, which is a quite hoppy pale, and I was a bit more open, but even that was too hoppy for this former pacifico drinker.
Finally, I found the holy grail, the beer which made hops more pleasing, more...... Inviting if you will.
I drink AT LEAST a sixer (usually more) every week, and I find it a little too low on the hop meter anymore, yet, somehow.....It still rocks.
Mirror Pond pale ale. (
Mirror Pond Pale Ale)
Not as hoppy as SNPA, but damn, it just tastes better!!!
@ only 40 ibu it is not too hoppy, yet very balanced.
Next after enjoying that was Red Hook Long Hammer.(
Redhook) Not even close to over the top for an ipa, (they claim 38.5 IBU, yeah right) it has the hop bitterness, it has the aroma, it's damned good beer.
it will kill your guts the next day though, and I have no idea why!
Worse than homebrew you got too much yeast from. Your coworkers will hate you. Your children will flee when you enter the room! You will buy and drink more anyway, cuz the Inhuman farts are worth it.
Then you move on to something......stronger?
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale if you are fortunate enough to find it.
Liquid crack.
Your 12 pack will be empty before you know it, and you will be effed up in no time, it's so good you try to session it, and it cannot be done that way.
The next day you will know why. The hangover will go away after your third one the next day however, just do not drink all twelve of them, and you will be cool.
You may then be tempted by that $10.00 6 pack of Stone IPA. Do not be afraid. pick it up. Drink it happily....
This process will take you 5-30 weeks to complete, and you will offcially a
"HopHead"
Welcome my friend.
Welcome.