If you’re new to the beer scene, don’t worry because we are here to help. For starters, you should know that beer comes in two main categories: lagers and ales. And within those are several beer styles, each with unique flavors and characteristics.
So, where do you start beer tasting? It’s best to begin with trusted brands, beers with a low alcohol by volume (ABV) content, and ones that offer mild, easy to enjoy flavors.
If you’re ready, check out our curated list below to find your best beer for beginners. We’ve hand-picked styles well-known to be newbie-friendly, so you’ll find one that suits your taste preferences.
The Best Beers for Beginners and Non-beer Drinkers
Here are our top picks for the most beginner-friendly beers.
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
- Guinness Draught
- Modelo Especial Mexican Lager
- Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
- Landshark Lager
- Bud Light Lime
- Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager
- Founders Robust Porter
- Coors Light
- Corona Extra
- Miller High Life
1. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Type: Ale
Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 6.7%
If it’s your first time drinking beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or “Hazy Little Thing” is a good choice. First brewed in 1980 by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., one of the pioneers of the craft beer movement in the United States, it is a beginner-friendly drink thanks to its balanced flavors.
Ales are known for their fruity flavors, and Sierra Nevada’s is no exception. But aside from its sweet, fruity taste, it also has a hoppy bitterness that’s not too extreme and easy on your taste buds.
When you drink this pale ale, expect to catch a whiff of pine, citrus, and a hint of floral aroma. In terms of mouthfeel, it’s medium-bodied with moderate carbonation and has a smooth, creamy texture. It leaves a clean, crisp finish that just might make you crave another sip.
Try the Sierra Nevada with grilled chicken, burgers, or spicy Mexican dishes.
2. Sam Adams Boston Lager
Type: Lager
Style: Vienna lager
ABV: 5%
Up next is Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which has a rich flavor profile and unique qualities that make it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
Made with raw barley and German hops, you may encounter a dry, crisp, smooth finish with citrusy bitterness upon your first sip.
Flavor-wise, the lager greets your senses with a wonderful blend of roasted malts, toffee, and caramel. Plus, if you observe closely, you might catch hints of fruitiness and spices that create a balanced and intriguing aroma.
And while Boston Lager is versatile when it comes to food pairings, Boston Lager is versatile, it’s best paired with comfort food like burgers, fries, popcorn, cupcakes, or spicy foods like buffalo wings.
3. Guinness Draught
Type: Ale
Style: Stout
ABV: 4.2%
Guinness Draught, or Guinness in short, is a stout beer that is quite distinct from the more common lagers and ales.
What makes the Guiness unique is its deep mahogany color, which is topped by a creamy and velvety head.
Guinness has a good mix of flavors. Upon sipping, you can observe notes of bittersweet dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans. The infusion of hops adds depth to the flavor profile, and while stout, it’s not too heavy that it overwhelms beginners and non-beer drinkers.
This dark beer style pairs well with hearty and savory dishes. Try it with classic Irish fare like beef stew or shepherd’s pie, grilled meats, and oysters.
4. Modelo Especial Mexican Lager
Type: Lager
Style: Pale lager
ABV: 4.4%
Non-beer drinkers can’t go wrong with Modelo Especial due to its light, flavorful profile.
When you sip on a glass of Modelo Especial, you’ll notice a hint of orange blossom honey and a touch of herb—the aroma is welcoming, not overpowering.
Then, when you take that first sip, you’ll taste a blend of sweetness and slightly bitter light-hop character. Modelo Especial has a light to medium body and moderate carbonation. All in all, it feels clean on the palate.
Serve this lager with a lime wedge and pair it with any Mexican dishes, pizza, or seafood!
5. Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
Type: Ales
Style: Belgian-style wheat ale
ABV: 5.4%
If you want a beer you can enjoy year-round, try Blue Moon Belgian White Ale. It has a pale straw-like color with slight cloudiness. The coriander and Valencia orange peel infusion then give it a well-balanced taste with a refreshing fruity twist.
During your first sip, you’ll experience its creamy texture—a trademark of wheat ales—as well as some moderate carbonation. To fully enjoy this Belgian white ale, you can garnish it with an orange slice to enhance its citrus flavor.
The Blue Moon Belgian White Ale is an excellent companion for several dishes, including salads, seafood, or poultry.
6. Landshark Lager
Type: Lager
Style: Pale lager
ABV: 4.6%
Sixth on our list is Landshark Lager, an excellent choice for beginners for several reasons: a light body, approachable taste, and low level of bitterness.
The aroma of Landshark Lager is subtle but inviting, and you’ll catch a whiff of the blend of hops and two-row caramel malts.
On the other hand, the combination of malt sweetness and crispness of the hops gives it a delightful and balanced flavor profile. As you sip, you’ll notice the beer’s light and smooth texture.
Because of its mild and versatile flavor, Landshark Lager compliments various dishes, including seafood, grilled chicken, and classic burgers.
7. Bud Light Lime
Type: Lager
Style: American style light lager
ABV: 4.2%
Next, we have Bud Light Lime, a unique brew with a hint of citrus from the infusion of real lime peels during brewing. This addition gives it a clean, crisp, and citrusy taste, perfect for anyone craving a refreshing, thirst-quenching beer.
Bud Light is perfect for social gatherings, especially during BBQ, outdoor meetings, and brew nights. Its refreshing, citrusy profile pairs wonderfully with grilled dishes, seafood, and light appetizers.
8. Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager
Type: Lager
Style: Other lagers
ABV: 4.2%
If you like drinks with a fruity aroma and slightly tart-sweet flavor, try Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager. The infusion of real raspberries into the brew adds a fruity aroma and subtle purple color.
The lager has a unique taste profile that comes as a result of the natural sweetness and tartness of raspberries and the earthy bitterness of pilsner, vanguard hops, and wheat malts.
So, if you want to try out flavored beers, Abita Purple Haze is an excellent choice! Even if you’re not used to craft beer, this lager is easy to savor because of its moderate carbonation and fresh feeling on the palate.
In terms of food pairing, this beer’s fruity notes and mild sweetness enhance the flavors of fruit-based desserts or dark chocolate.
9. Founders Robust Porter
Type: Ales
Style: Porter
ABV: 6.5%
Then again, you can’t go wrong with a classic beer, and Founders Robust Porter is one of the best. It falls under the category of porters, which are known for their dark and roasted characteristics.
The aroma of Founders Robust Porter features a blend of caramel malt and chocolate, both of which are also the beer’s dominant flavors.
With its creamy and lush texture, this porter is perfect with desserts like decadent brownies and chocolate mousse and savory meats like barbeque.
10. Coors Light
Type: Lager
Style: Pale lager
ABV: 4.2%
Try Coors Light when you want an easy-drinking lager with low bitterness. With clean malt notes and a subtle sweetness, this is a mild-tasting drink that goes down smoothly.
In terms of mouthfeel, it has a light and crisp texture with the right amount of carbonation.
Coors Light is also a versatile beer that goes well with almost anything, whether you’re having pizza, a classic burger, or seafood.
11. Corona Extra
Type: Lager
Style: Tropical pilsner
ABV: 4.6%
Now, who doesn’t know Corona? A globally recognized name, Corona Extra is a crisp, refreshing, and light beer that embodies the spirit of Mexican beaches.
Corona Extra is characterized by fruity honey scents and a hint of malt. If you want more flavor, it is best enjoyed with a wedge of lime, which adds a zesty citrus aroma that makes the beer even more refreshingly light.
This light beer is a fantastic companion for various dishes, from spicy Mexican cuisine to pizza.
12. Miller High Life
Type: Lager
Style: Pale lager
ABV: 4.6%
Finally, we have the iconic brew that has earned the nickname, “The Champagne of Beers,” for a specific reason: its effervescence that is reminiscent of sparkling wine.
If you love wine, Miller High Life provides a great introduction to the beer scene. With its crisp and balanced bittersweet taste, this light-bodied beer is mild and easy to drink. Upon tasting this drink, you might also notice subtle hints of cereal and toasted nuts.
Enjoy a glass of Miller High Life with savory comfort foods like fried chicken and seafood.
Conclusion
Have you found one or more beers to try out from our list? While the best beer for you will depend on your taste preferences, these lagers are generally beginner-friendly and will not overwhelm your palate!
And even when you’re no longer a beginner, you can keep coming back to these handpicked ales, as they are some of the best-tasting beers you’ll come across. Try one of these beers, and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
