Is it just my taste or lack of?

[eddiefebuary]

I'm a newbie, wanting to get into homebrewing because it seems very interesting and satisfying. Also, so that I can taste different types of beer. However, I just tasted Michelob's HefeWeizen and can't stand it. It made my lip curl. Is all wheat Ale like that? Am I just used to the everyday, commercial beer? I normally drink Bud Ice Light (please no flames). Now I'm fearful of brewing 5 gallon batches of beer I can't stand.
I guess what I am asking is what should I stay clear of that will definitely need an aquired taste and what do you recommend that I brew, considering what I am used to drinking.
I have no experience with different types of beer, Lager, Ale, etc. The wheat beer is as adventursom as I have gotten and it was a miserable experience. Is the everyday American Commercial beer considered a Pilsner?
Help..............

[homebrewaddict]

Sadly, I would have to assume that Michelob's Hefeweizen is probably one of the worst beers you could have been "adventurous" with. Usually, if you can find a good beer shop around your house where they carry more of the foreign types you should be okay.

As for wheat beer, no it doesn't all taste bad. Try Pyramid Hefeweizen which is an excellent tasting beer.

As for homebrewing, you need not worry about making a beer that you don't like because why would you make a wheat beer if you don't like it?

In my opinion, if I were you I would start out by trying some of the darker, more flavorful foreign beers (i.e. Fullers brand, Youngs). Although there are plenty of good domestic beers that are also good. Some that jump to mind are Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, as well as Moose Drool Brown Ale (if you are in the NW).

[YamahaXS]

Personally, I don't like wheat beers, with only 1 exception. Bell's Oberan is an awesome beer and is classified as a wheat. I suspect though that Bells uses less wheat malt than other wheat beers.

btw, Bells is brewed in Kalamazoo MI

[warmstorage]

i agree that Pyramid's hefe is a good beer, and will provide a much better example of something to emulate. also, take a look at the various "clonebrew" books which are available for browsing in any large library, including any Borders or Barnes & Noble location, and pick some beer you know you like out of them, and them try brewing it. (we often use these books [and similar websites] for general style guidelines and in directing the choices for the hop and grain bills, and then play with it from there.)

more suggestions for wheat beers which taste good:

Crop Circle Wheat, by Great Dane Brewing in Madison, WI
Wixa Weiss, by Wynkoop Brewing in Denver
the Hefeweizen, by Phantom Canyon Brewing, in Colorado Springs, CO
Harpoon UFO (Un-Filtered Offering) Hefeweizen, Boston

and here's a decent article in beeradvocate.com about wheat as a style, and discussing differences between german and American styles.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/articles_read/270/

in any case, enjoy the process, the result, and remember to drink heavily during it, preferably a good homebrew.

-warmstorage

[batkins]

Two words...............Widmer Hefe!

[mmmBeer...]

It has been my experience with hefeweizens, that people love them or hate them. I have yet to meet anyone who says that hefe are just okay. Either you really dig the banana and clove notes or you don’t. My wife can’t stand it, to quote her “beer should not taste or smell like banana”, whereas I love it! The last batch I made is almost gone, as lots of people have tried it.

While I have never had Michalob’s Hefe, maybe I am just showing my prejudice against the mega breweries, but I just can’t imagine them doing a good job producing a traditional hefe.

I agree with everyone else, go to your local pub that serves good quality imports and micro’s and try everything they have on tap (maybe not in one night). Get a feel for what you like and don’t like, and try to copy it. As long as you stick to the style guidelines, you should never produce a beer you hate!

Remember to stay away from the lighter lagers/pilsners, unless you are willing to invest in a separate fridge for lagering. That being said, I have produced some lager/pilsners at ale temps that came out very nice, just with a slight fruit flavour to them.

[BREWERDLUX]

Eddie all of the beers that everyone have been listing for you are all wonderful in their own way. The bad thing is you may not like them. The only way to know is to try as many different beers and styles as you can. Pick what you like and dont loose any sleep over the ones you dont. For now, if you are ready to start brewing. I suggest that you try and find a Bud Ice clone and make that till you figure out what you like. I would stay away from anything from the mega breweries. They can only make one style of beer and that is lagers......... Dont look for AB or Coors to make a good stout or IPA anytime soon....

[Fast_Eddy]

I'm gonna kick in here and agree with BREWERDLUX. A hefe might be a little more "interesting" than you need right now.

At the same time you probably don't have the right equipment to properly brew a lager. What I suggest is that you start out by trying a pale ale. It's been my experience that most Bud drinkers have at least some affinity for pale's.

[threecb]

I would suggest that before you dive right in with the brewing,
you should try some different styles that are being produced
by micro's. Avoid the macro attempts at these styles.

I agree that hefe's are usually a "love it or hate it" beer. Sometimes
Pale Ales are too hoppy for someone weening themself away from
macros, but there are representations out there that are nice, not
to aggressively hopped and very enjoyable.

Once you've got a style that you think you can get into, then you should
feel more confident when brewing, and you'll know what to expect when
you sample that first homebrew!

good luck!

[paul84043]

I'd just dive right in....I would pretty much guarantee that if you haven't had any "good" micros and even the macro micros, then you have no idea what beer "can" taste like.
Most mega commercial Hefe's taste absolutely nothing like a real hefe. Even the micros tend to be a little on the tame side. A real Hefe has lots of flavor, its one of our favorites.
As for the other styles, you don't know until you make one and taste it. I haven't made a beer yet that I havent liked and several are house regulars, there's always a batch in process in some form.

[eddiefebuary]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice. I think what I need to do is go to the local pubs and try all the different types to see which I prefer, then stick with that for my first few homebrews. Now I have an excuse to go out.
Of course my wife won't understand. I'll just tell her that it will save money in the long run when I don't brew 5 gallon batches of beer I can't drink. Thanks again!

[paul84043]

I guess I took the opposite approach, I live in the anti-beer capital of the world, besides Asudi Arabia maybe..Utah, so I knew perfectly well that I didn't know what real beer tasted like.
I want to make one of everything I can make, then I'll decide!
So far No dissappointments and I'm probably pushing 40 or 50 batches.

You'll be overwhelmed and blown away by the diversity and complexity of "Beer".

Welcome to the addiction!!

[YamahaXS]

Originally posted by eddiefebuary
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice. I think what I need to do is go to the local pubs and try all the different types to see which I prefer, then stick with that for my first few homebrews. Now I have an excuse to go out.
Of course my wife won't understand. I'll just tell her that it will save money in the long run when I don't brew 5 gallon batches of beer I can't drink. Thanks again!

if you have a local homebrew shop, they may have samples to go with their kits... my LHBS does anyway :)

BUT you are exactly right. Remember, you will be brewing 1.5 - 2 cases each batch so make sure you at least like the style PRIOR to brewing the beer!

oh, by the way, welcome to the craft!

[MagTheGrate]

Any lhbs worth their malt has several on tap for sampling purposes.... Mine usually has 6-10 at any given moment.