I actually never liked beer!

[biochemedic]

I want to chime in here. I loved wine because it was complex vs. beer, which often times seemed too empty.

Yeah...once you realize the full beer spectrum, beer is *way* more complex and varied than wine...

To answer the OP...as with many, I didn't like beer for a while after I started drinking (stuck to mixed drinks), and believe it or not the first beer I kind of liked and tolerated was Molson Ice! Also like many, my next love was Guinness (it must be a "gateway beer!"... at one of my local bars I became known as "Guinness Dave," and was easily chosen to give the Guinness toast that year...) It rapidly expanded from there as I discovered the burgeoning craft brew scene. For a couple years after college every time I went the beer store I came home with a case of different six packs of every kind of beer I could try. Homebrewing was the natural progression...

 

[rocketman768]

My awakening happened at a Gordon Biersch. Was having a plate of garlic/cheese/cilantro fries and took a swig of Marzen...wow, it was kinda sweet, rich, aromatic, and had a silky mouthfeel. Damn, some beer must be good!

 

[rjwhite41]

I hated beer in high school. Everyone drank Natural Light and I couldn't stomach it. I drank whiskey. My freshman year in college my roommate gave me a Guinness (must be the gateway beer) and I've been drinking beer ever since! I still drink Scotch on occasion though. Mmmmm Scotch

Edit: I remember people saying beer was an acquired taste. Now I know what they meant. If you acquire some good beer it will have taste!

 

[coastwx]

Similar here, up until a few years ago in NC you did not have the access to craft brews, so Coors light was the go to beer. I started taking annual trips to Colorado for work and a co-worker got me hooked on going to the local brewpubs for dinner where I started experimenting with craft brews. That got me into the Newcastles and Sam Adams back at home, so those became more and more regular. The Coors light just did not cut it anymore. I think it was 2007 when NC raised the ABV limit and all the sudden stores like Lowes Food started carrying a real nice selection of craft brews. An Ale House opened right down the street around the same time as the ABV was raised and they not only carry all the games on Sunday, they have a great selection of craft brews.

 

[rycov]

thats awesome how everyone sorta transitioned the same way. i would write my story but you can just pick any of the previous posts and it pretty much applies. although i do still drink piss beer sometimes. i don't really look at it as beer in the sense that its well made and crafted and delicious and all that. i more look at bmc as a vehicle to get me drunk. its kinda like... barley soda, definatley not beer. i really like to eat delicious food too. but sometimes i just eat spaghetti-o's.... mmm spaghettios and beer... i got to go.