He Said/She Said: 10 “Gateway Beers” That Might Turn Her Into A Beer Lover
Posted by: Richard Blakeley & Jessica Amason
Filed in:
style
11:00AM, Monday November 3rd 2008
So you think you’ve found the perfect guy but he’s a beer lover and you’re not? For many women, a beer’s bitter finish is enough to have them running for a shaker and fruit juice. Well, problem solved! We’ve compiled 10 “gateway beers” that’ll have her throwing back with the boys in no time.
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1. Blue Moon Best if she likes Pinot Grigio Pinot Grigio is a relatively fruity wine said to have a "floral bouquet." A perfect match for Blue Moon, a light wheat beer with a fruity aftertaste -- often garnished with a yummy orange slice! |
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2. Corona, Pacifico, Sol Best if she likes Margaritas These are all ultra-light beers that are low on hops, which gives them a slightly sweet tinge. Like margaritas, they are best for warm weather and meant to be enjoyed with a slice of lime or lemon for that citrusy kick. |
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3. Chimay Rouge Best if she likes ginger cocktails Chimay Rouge is a full-bodied Belgian beer with a fruity aroma and hint of nuts and honey. Much like ginger cocktails, this is a perfect cozy weather drink. |
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4. Heineken (light) Best if she likes a vodka tonic Heineken's "light" version is surprisingly tasty without being too overbearing. The beer is less bitter than its fellow European imports and ideal for girls who enjoy the savoriness tonic drinks. |
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5. Woodchuck Granny Smith Draft Cider Best if she likes Appletinis or Apple Coladas Hard Ciders are essentially fermented versions of apple or pear cider. It is naturally sweet and served in pint glasses -- perfect for lovers of apple liquors or even sugary rum drinks. |
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6. Pete's Strawberry Blonde Best if she likes Strawberry Daiquiris Pete's Wicked Ale is a standard American micro-brew that provides a host of creative seasonal beers -- like the Strawberry Blonde. An excellent strawberry-tinged summer brew for ladies who love a pink daiquiri. |
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7. Red Stripe Best if she likes Jack Daniels and Coke Red Stripe is a lager-style beer that has a cola-like thickness, no wonder it's brewed by a former soft drink manufacturer. It also has a faint hint of molasses making it not too sweet and not too bitter. |
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8. Lindeman's Framboise Lambic Best if she likes Cosmpolitans or Cranberry and Vodka Framboise is a Belgian "lambic" beer fermented using raspberries, often called a "fruit beer." Some framboise beers can be quite tart, though Lindeman's is softer and sweet, with a dry cidery element. Definitely the drink of choice if "Sex and the City" was set in Brussels. |
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9. Sapporo Best if she likes sake Sapporo has the same smoothness and clean finish of sake, but in beer-form. All Sapporo beers have a relatively light body, so try the Sapporo Light if you want something even more reminiscent of the Japanese liquor. |
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10. Stella Artois Best if she's ready to graduate to the industry standard Stella Artois is the ever-present bar staple. A medium-bodied Belgian beer with a hint of hoppy bitterness, but still rich and not aggressive. If she's ready to call herself a beer drinker, this trustworthy ale is the way to go. |
SHE SAID: Remember -- this list is not about changing your tastes, it's about sharing each others'. And much like wine, beer comes in a myriad of varieties all with their own subtle differences. Have fun trying them out and remember to drink responsibly!
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Annika Harris
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 11:39 am: [report]
Kalik is also a great beer. I haven’t been able to find it in the U.S., though, because it’s a Bahamian beer.
Lynn
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 11:52 am: [report]
I definitely agree that many of these are tasty, but I still feel like a pussy drinking some (like the hard cider- it’s yummy, but I dont’ really consider it beer even if it is!). Stella is my go-to drink when I want something light and easy!
Blakeley
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 12:03 pm: [report]
Annika: I love Kalik! It’s all I drank when I was down there last summer and I too haven’t been able to find it anywhere… which makes me sad.
Simcha
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 12:18 pm: [report]
I hate beer, but I LOVE Belgium RASPBERRY BEER! I even have a drinking song about it. hehe
Splog
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 12:25 pm: [report]
I would also add Hoegaarden or any other Hefeweizen. Make sure to add a lemon or orange for extra sweetness!
Blakeley
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 12:40 pm: [report]
Hoegaarden is a great suggestion but we felt that it was so much like Blue Moon we left it off. It’s for sure though a great gateway beer!
Simosa
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 12:55 pm: [report]
yes, yes, yes on the Belgium beers. I was converted this Summer and now I wouldn’t/consider drinking anything else. Chimay - yummy and the raspberry Belgium beers - OMG - I agree with Simcha on this one.
Sally Tomato
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 02:01 pm: [report]
I am not this article’s demographic, since I’m 1/2 Irish and 1/2 German = All Beer Lover. Good suggestions, though. I’d add Abita to the mix, maybe the strawberry one. Woo! New Orleans!
Molly
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 02:41 pm: [report]
I went to Berlin this summer and discovered that it’s commonplace to mix beers with orange Fanta, Coca Cola, and Grapefruit soda! So if the above beers just aren’t sweet enough, start out by adding some soda to the mix.
Nell
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 03:05 pm: [report]
I’m a beer girl 100% and used this tactic in getting my ex-boyfriend to give beer a chance - the blue moon did the trick, red stripe wasn’t far behind.
Brandy
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 03:19 pm: [report]
Blue Moon is definitely becoming the cliche gateway beer! Blue Moon is like REM…if you don’t like it your probably an a-hole.
Jessica
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 03:24 pm: [report]
Hoegaarden is definitely a great suggestion! And yes, this list can totally work both ways for girls with boyfriends who haven’t found a love of beer (I too am a beer-drinking girl)
Eclectic Gecko
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 04:32 pm: [report]
Fun article but as a female who hasn’t always liked beer, I’ll have to weigh in and disagree with the choices. Red stripe and Corona are not good starting points if you’re trying to “ease her in” to beer. Let’s face it: if you want a female drinking companion for those lonely summer nights, you’re going to have to start with microbrews. Beer quality is to a certain extent parallel to wine quality, and she already knows how much you spent on a 6-pack of Red Stripe. And sorry, she’s never going to drink a Heineken with you. Deal.
Blue Moon’s not a bad choice, though. Beers lighter in color like the pilsners, belgian whites and extra pale ales tend to be popular among my “girl friends that don’t like beer.” Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is the gateway beer I hear about most from them. My gateway beer? Pyramid Hefeweizen.
eirahcaZ
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 05:29 pm: [report]
For all you Gluten-Free Ladies and Gents, Suds and Duds, Magic and Madmen,
Redbridge, courtesy of Anheiser-Busch, which tastes awful at room-temperature. Sort of brewed like a Bud/Fat Tire. Any draft Ciders have really been turning me on lately. Bodington’s makes a hearty cider not too sweet. In Texas the cool fronts are beginning to blow down my back door which means Bailey’s and French Press. Hellacious Yeah and Rah-Rah-Rah!
Scott - TBC
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 10:30 pm: [report]
Nice post with some good suggestions!
As many have mentioned, the Belgians are often good gateway beers - So in addition to excellent Blue Moon and Hoegaarden choices, I’ve had good female feedback from Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat & Shock Top Belgian White.
Strangely, women also seem to really like the Wild Blue blueberry beer (tasted like wine to me) and Bud Light Lime!!!!
ShortyDooWop
wrote on November 3 2008 @ 11:24 pm: [report]
as a beer fanatic…i’m sad you left my top choice out: YEUNGLING!!! tasty tasty!!! red bull is a GREAT second!
ellie
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 06:57 am: [report]
just fyi, hoogarden was the original, made in belgium. the brewing family tried to use the same original recipe in texas under the name celis white, but the water was different and it wasn’t as good. blue moon is a pretty good approximation and a little cheaper, but nothing is as good as the original. and if you drink it in belgium (or it’s served by a knowledgeable bartender in the states) they will pour all but about 1/4 inch out, swirl the bottle and then pour the stirred up sediment from the bottom into your glass. this clouds up the beer and provides all of the flavor of citrus, cardamom, etc. that’s used in the fermenting process. that an an orange slice are perfection. hooegarden out of the tap is just another weiss. and that’s my election-morning non-political ramble. but it’s true.
and in my opinion, it’s a total wussy fake dainty stereotype that girls don’t like beer. they just think they’re supposed to drink wine and foofy fake-tinis because of sex and the city and the media. pretty much every irish girl i know doesn’t just drink any beer - they drink guinness or murphy’s!
nico
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 11:59 am: [report]
a very sweet bock was my gateway beer. I’m surprised I didn’t see darker/chocolate beers on this list!
Brad
wrote on November 4 2008 @ 03:54 pm: [report]
Leine’s Honeyweiss is a really good one as well for the list.
kim
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 08:41 am: [report]
My favorite beer is Guiness, it’s less carbonated so it doesn’t give you that bloated feeling. Plus it’s sooooo yummy. Actually kinda creamy. People are always surprised to see a girl drinking Guiness but I’m like “huh?”
shana
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 12:06 pm: [report]
I agree with Nico. I didn’t like beer until I had a Paulaner Hefeweisen, which I kind of liked. Then I had a Rouge Shakespeare Stout and fell in love. So, for me, the reason I didn’t like beer was because I had only ever tried the “beginner beers.”
I think the best advice is to never be afraid of sampling a little bit of everything. Go to a brewery and get their sampler, it’s fun! And can be totally couple-y if the other person still has to finish your drinks.
atlgirl
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 12:30 pm: [report]
I typically stick to Heineken Light or Corona Light, but recently tried Blue Moon. I’m a convert!
Great list!
atlbf
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 02:02 pm: [report]
per what kim and nico said, try some framboise mixed in a guiness, like raspberry chocolates. yum!
kim
wrote on November 5 2008 @ 02:13 pm: [report]
There’s a bar in NYC that makes beer cocktails. It’s called the Bourgeois Pig. Nice place to try drinks like the one mentioned above. Yum!
Tracy
wrote on November 6 2008 @ 05:07 am: [report]
I didn’t like beer, then I had children and my taste suddenly changed!
I love a nice Brahma or Perroni Nastro Azzurro. I’ve never seen Blue Moon, I guess you can’t get it over here in the UK.
Meg
wrote on November 8 2008 @ 08:48 am: [report]
I recently started liking beer. My gateway beer was Rolling Rock with extra lime. I had to take baby steps, just as I did with wine. I really want to try Blue Moon, Red Stripe and the Framboise Lambic now…
erin
wrote on November 8 2008 @ 11:28 pm: [report]
kim i disagree with u about guinness..as a beer-loving girl myself, i feel like guinness is an acquired taste. for someone looking for a “gateway” beer i feel like this would be too heavy and bitter. i think stella and blue moon are good choices.
BoozeFox
wrote on November 9 2008 @ 10:20 pm: [report]
Don’t forget: This is America. It may be not so much the case that the bitter taste of beer has turned a girl off to the beverage, but that the female in question tried a watery, no-hops, no-malt, cheap, what-the-hell-is-even-in-this? cheap American macro-lager out of a red Solo in college and thinks all beers are equally tasteless.
My girlfriend doesn’t drink beer often, but when she does, it’s generally the hoppiest IPAs I can find, the tarter and more complex the better. Have yours try a sip of a medium-hopped IPA once, at least, just to see if maybe that’s her thing. Some folks are just plain born hopheads!