Afternoon gents, it’s Max from the Young Gentleman’s Guide here! Today’s article is going to be a little bit different since this will be the first time we’ve ever published a revision of a previous article! It’s been a while since the original article about beer was published, and my opinioins have changed quite a bit since then. I also have more overall knowledge about beer that I did not previously have when I first wrote the article that I wanted to share with you today. In any case, today’s article will obviously be more opinion-based, but even so, I’ll hopefully be able to give you young gents a semi-reliable guide so you can get an idea for what you might want to drink when cracking open a cold one with the boys! So here’s a list of some of my favorite beers in the hopes that you can find a brew that you enjoy.

Disclaimer: While I will be talking about alcoholic beverages and encouraging my readers to enjoy said beverages, I also encourage them to drink responsibly. I will not be responsible for the consequences of your actions if you overdrink or get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Please be careful, and know your limits.

1. Guinness Draught Stout

This is certainly a stereotypical one to start with, but this stout associated with Saint Patrick’s Day is world-famous for a reason. This rich and creamy stout is the most well-known and consumed brew made by Guinness, and it is easy to see why. Along with it being very rich in flavor, including hints of caramel and milk chocolate, the stout itself is also very creamy, which works well with it not being very carbonated. Whether you’re from Irish heritage or not, this is certainly a beer worth trying if you’re new to stouts or simply like a richer, darker flavor to your beer.

2. Red Stripe

If you’re looking for a bit more of a unique brew, Red Stripe might be a good place to start! Not only does it have a distinctly shaped bottle, but how many beers can you name that are made in Jamaica? Lagers like this one are also a great place to start for anyone unfamiliar with beer. They usually have a fairly balanced flavor that provides that yeasty, bread-like flavor while also adding a hint of the hops and bitterness that a lot of people associate with beer. Whether you end up more into porters, pilsners, stouts or IPAs, a lager might be the perfect stepping stone. In any case, Red Stripe is a perfectly adequate brew that is a prefect fit for just about any occasion while also being a great choice for someone who is not as familiar with beer.

3. Samuel Adams Octoberfest

In general, I enjoy quite a few Samuel Adams brews and think most of their beers are worth trying. It also helps that the company is named after one of the original Sons of Liberty, which makes them a great fit for any 4th of July celebrations. However, the Samuel Adams Octoberfest brew is my absolute favorite from this company. With its dark, amber color, smooth malty flavor, and a hint of caramel flavoring, this brew will be the perfect one to enjoy during those cooler autumn months. It is also brewed using traditional Oktoberfest methods, which helps keep that Bavarian tradition alive!

4. Firestone 805

Of course I’ll love a brew that represents the homestead! For those who don’t know, 805 is actually an area code, the area code of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. And anyone who’s been reading for a while most likely knows that I was born and raised in Ventura, so of course I had to try this almost as soon as I turned 21. And thankfully, this one has started to be distributed to other places outside of California, which I could not be happier about. Any of you who want to get at least a little sense of the Southern California lifestyle, see if you can find some 805 at your local grocery or liquor store!

5. Anchor Porter

When I lived in San Francisco, I saw Anchor Steam offered at a lot of different bars and restaurants which makes sense, since Anchor Brewing is run out of San Francisco. However, it was after I returned to my hometown when I saw Anchor Porter being sold at a specialty liquor store. Being a fan of darker beers, I picked some up and it immediately became a favorite of mine. It being a darker beer means that it’s not as bitter as a lot of other brews, but this porter in particular also contains tasting notes of dark chocolate and espresso. In a sense, it’s almost like a coffee stout. Anyone who’s a fan of darker beers or coffee stouts will definitely want to try some Anchor Porter.

6. Früh Kölsch

And now moving on to the country best known for its beer! I first tried this brew while I was at a German restaurant with my cousins in San Francisco, and I must say, it’s probably the best beer I’ve had so far! When I first tried it, I thought it literally tasted like liquid bread, but unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to have it again since it can be hard to come by in the States. But if you get a chance to try Früh Kölsch, I highly recommend it, you will not be disappointed.

7. Paulaner Oktoberfest Märzen

This is definitely one to try if you want to get a taste of the Bavarian Oktoberfest tradition! Paulaner as a brewery dates all the way back to 1539 when breweries in Germany were only allowed to brew beer between September and April, when temperatures in Germany and the surrounding regions are generally colder. This brew specifically was brewed for the first Oktoberfest celebrations in 1810 and has retained the same brewing tradition ever since. Funnily enough, since new brewing traditions have taken over in Germany, some propagated by the Paulaner Brewery, this märzen is now more popular in many regions outside of Germany. Nonetheless, it’s still a brew steeped in tradition, not to mention its rich, malty, bread-like flavor that pairs perfectly with the traditional Oktoberfest pretzel and sausage. Just like I said about Arbuckles’ in my article about coffee companies you should support, Paulaner carries a long sense of history along with a great-tasting beer that can be enjoyed by all.

So there it is! Apologies if these descriptions were extremely superficial, I just don’t know too much about beer, I just wanted to share some of my favorites in an attempt to maybe give you young gents an idea of what you might like! In any case, I hope you enjoyed reading today’s article. Please be sure to share the post, follow the blog, follow The Young Gentleman’s Guide on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and support us on Patreon. And on that note, this is Max from The Young Gentleman’s Guide, and I’ll see you next time!