Break Into Brews: The 14 Best Beers for Beginners

So, you’ve decided to expand your horizon and start experimenting with brews. That’s awesome! There are so many types of beer to explore that we guarantee your taste buds will never be bored. But where do you start?

Good question. If you’re not used to the flavor, the best-tasting beers for non-beer drinkers are the smooth beer brands, like Coors Light and Miller High Life. From there, you can transition to sweeter drinks like Blue Moon Belgian White Ale and then onto more challenging varieties like a craft beer from Allagash from a microbrewery in Maine and rich India Pale Ales (IPA) from Sierra Nevada. 

Ready to try some? We’ve put together a beginner’s guide of what we think are some of the best beers to drink if you’re just starting to explore the beer world. Or if you’re looking for something a little different. Grab your favorite stein and enjoy these 14 best beers for beginners.

1. Coors Light 12pk 12oz Can 4.2% ABV

Coors Light is probably the first beer you ever tasted. A popular choice among frat boys and soccer moms alike, this lager has an easy-drinking flavor that everyone can enjoy. It’s the kind of beer that’s as comfortable in the great outdoors as it is on a night on the town.

$12.99

2. Miller High Life 12pk 12oz Btl 4.6% ABV

This is another excellent introduction to the world of beer. Light in body with a mild flavor of cereal and toasted nuts, it has a carbonation level akin to sparkling wine. Miller High Life is as refreshing and tasty as American beers can get. It’s no wonder it’s called the “champagne of beers.”

$10.99

3. Corona Extra 12pk 12oz Btl 4.5% ABV

If you’re looking to stretch your taste buds beyond your usual beer-drinking borders, give Corona Extra a try. Imported from Mexico, it’s a tropical pilsner that tastes excellent year-round — even when you’re nowhere near a beach. Serve it cold with a wedge of lime to bring out all its sweet, hoppy flavors and light, slightly bitter finish.

$17.99

4. Bud Light Lime 12pk 12oz Btl 4.2% ABV

Bud Light Lime is classic Bud Light, brewed with lime peels for a beer with a clean, crisp, citrusy taste. Experience great refreshment with a hint of natural lime flavor in every sip. It’s perfect for sharing with friends looking for something different for BBQ and brew night. 

$14.99

5. Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy 6pk 12oz Btl 4.2% ABV

It’s the perfect drink if you aren’t fully committed to drinking beer. Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy is a delicious blend of German Weiss beer and lemonade flavors. The two come together in a sweet, thirst-quenching beverage perfect for beating the summer heat.

$8.99

6. Abita Purple Haze 6pk 12oz Can

Beer as a dessert? Sign us up! Abita adds real raspberries after they filter their lager to create a beer with a delectable fruity aroma, slightly tart-sweet flavor, and subtle purple color. It’s the perfect beer to serve with fruit, fancy cakes, or a delicious piece of dark chocolate.

$10.99

7. Shock Top Belgian Wheat 12pk 12oz Btl 5.2% ABV

This is a fun ale to spice up your beer-drinking routine. Shock Top has added orange, lemon, and lime peels, plus a little coriander spice to a traditional Belgian-style wheat beer. Shake things up with this uniquely-crafted brew that’s naturally cloudy with a light golden color and a smooth, refreshing finish.

$18.00

8. Allagash White Ale 6pk 12oz Btl 5.2% ABV

Trust a craft brewery to create a unique beer drinking experience. Allagash is a Belgian-style ale brewed with oats, malted and raw wheat, coriander, and orange peel that results in a beer with a hazy appearance and distinctive spicy flavor.

$12.99

9. Blue Moon Belgian White Ale 24pk 12oz Btl

Blue Moon Belgian is a great way to start exploring the world of beer. This beer is brewed with Valencia oranges to give it a smooth, citrus flavor and bright body. Imagine capturing a spring day in a bottle. That’s the experience you’ll have drinking this ale.

$26.99

10. Landshark Lager 12pk 12oz Btl 4.6% ABV

Born in Margaritaville, this island-style lager is a complex blend of hops and two-row caramel malts with a light, refreshing taste and hint of malty sweetness. Landshark Lager helps you keep that beach feeling with you wherever you go.

$15.99

11. Modelo Especial 12pk 12oz Btl 4.4% ABV

Modelo Especial is a Mexican pilsner-style beer known for its rich, softly bitter taste and bright golden color. It’s a popular Mexican beer with a sweet flavor and lightly-carbonated mouthfeel. It’s great when served with lime or as the base for a michelada. 

$17.99

12. Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing 6pk 12oz Can 6.7% ABV

Sierra Nevada is well known for its IPAs, and Hazy Little Thing’s no exception. Hazy Little Thing has a potent floral note, fruit-forward flavor, and a moderate amount of bitterness. It’s a good beer if you're looking for one with higher alcohol content (6.7% ABV) to sip on a sunny patio. 

$12.99

13. Sam Adams Boston Lager 12 Pack Bottles

This is a beer for those people who want a little challenge in their brew. Boston Lager is crafted with German hops, adding complexity to its initial flavor. Enjoy a slow finish and a slightly bitter aftertaste. It’s equally delicious with a burger and fries as with popcorn and cupcakes.

$18.50

14. Guinness 4pk 14.9oz Can 4.2% ABV

Guinness is the next step for people who are expanding their beer drinking experience. Guinness is an iconic dark beer — rich mahogany color, velvety texture, and a full-bodied flavor of coffee, toasted malt, and hops. Drink it at room temperature for the authentic Irish pub experience. You’ll never forget your first time.

$9.99

FAQ

What beer is the least bitter?

Looking for a beer that won’t bite back? You want to find a brew that’s light on hops. Hops are added before the fermentation process begins in order to produce the bitterness associated with amber ales and IPAs. 

Brewers occasionally add soak hops in beer after the fermentation process. This addition infuses the brew with earthy, herbal, or citrus notes. For those who think the best-tasting beers have the least amount of bitterness, you want to drink brown ales, porters, and some stouts.

If you want a guarantee that you’re drinking a mellow beer, check out its International Bittering Units (IBU). IBU measures bitterness using a scale of 0 to 100+. The typical rating sits between 5 and 120. The lower the number, the less bitter the beer. 

Which beer is best for ladies?

Ladies, far be it from us to tell you what beer is best for you. Some of the most knowledgeable beer connoisseurs we know are women. So let’s do away with beverage expectations built on passé gender roles. Drink what you like.

However, if you really want to rock a dude-bros’ world, order yourself a pint of Guinness. It’s a challenging drink and an unexpected choice for a “lady.” Their reaction will help gauge whether you want to spend more time with this person.

We also have a few suggestions if you’re having a Girls’ Night (perhaps to discuss ways of smashing the patriarchy). We recommend pairing decadent desserts with a sweet beer’s fruit-forward flavor profile. Abita Purple Haze has the added tang of raspberries, and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy comes with a delicious citrus bite. Both brews are perfect choices for cleansing the palate after a rich and creamy dessert. Or get several different types of beer from light to dark and have a beer tasting event.

Remember, the best beer for girls is whichever one they please.

Is one beer a day good for you?

You know the drill: everything in moderation. And that advice carries over to beer. 

Drinking one or two 12-ounce beers a day won’t hurt you. In fact, it may even have some positive health benefits, such as stronger bones, improved blood sugar control, and a reduced chance of dementia. If you’re drinking light beer, you might be able to push it to three servings, but it's not recommended.

If you have any questions or concerns about your alcohol consumption, consult your physician.