15 Best Beers For Beginners & New Drinkers (2023 Updated)
Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Lydia Martin
If you are new to the world of beer, do not try out too many beers that may turn you away. Instead, go with light beers with low alcohol content and excellent tasting notes.
We curated a list of the best beer for beginners that will make you want to explore the world of beer.
Top 15 Beginner-Friendly Beers You Need To Try
15. Modelo Especial Mexican Lager
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.4%
Why We Like It: If you are new to the beer world, choose beers like Modelo Especial, with a refreshing taste and less alcohol concentration.
It has a light hop character with a well-balanced taste of malty sweetness and fruit-forward flavor.
It has excellent hints of orange blossom, honey, and subtle hints of natural lemonade flavor.
It is the perfect beer for beginners and non-beer drinkers because of its light yet flavorful taste.
14. Shock Top Belgian White
Average Price: Roughly $9.99 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Why We Like It: Shock Top Belgian White is an award-winning ale packed with a fruity aroma and creamy flavor that you can enjoy if you are not fond of drinking beer but interested in trying it.
It is one of the best-tasting beers we enjoyed because of its complex blend and crisp taste. Aside from lemon, orange, and lime, it has hints of hops usually found in most beers.
But how is non-alcohol beer made?
13. Corona Extra
Average Price: Roughly $19.99 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.6%
Why We Like It: Corona Extra can change the minds of non-beer drinkers and beer haters because of its light, smooth, and refreshing taste.
It is a light beer for the backyard and beach on a hot summer day. The excellent balance of malt and hops tickled our taste buds on our first sip.
Corona Extra is a clean, crisp pairing beer that can be enjoyed with just about everything.
Read: Corona Premiere vs Corona Light
12. Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
Average Price: Roughly $19.54 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5.4%
Why We Like It: Blue Moon Belgian White Ale is a great wheat beer to try if you are not a beer drinker because it has the right balance of sweetness with citrus aroma.
Blue Moon White Ale boasts coriander and Valencia orange peels for a refreshing, fruity floral, and citrusy taste and aroma.
It is an excellent beer to enjoy all seasons because it is light, full of zesty Valencia orange peel, spicy wheat, and creamy body.
Read: Best Maid Sour Pickle Beer Review
11. Guinness Draught
Average Price: Roughly $10.99 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Why We Like It: Guinness Draught in a can is the perfect summer beer to enjoy with friends and family.
It is a dark beer style packed with a lovely aroma of dark chocolate and roasted coffee.
“Moderate beer consumption can reduce men’s risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia, and is a source of vitamins and minerals.”
– Dr. Quinton Fivelman, Chief Scientific Officer at London Medical Laboratory
Also, we appreciate the smooth balance of the craft beer and its sweet, bitter, and roasted notes.
It boasts low-calorie content [1], but drink responsibly and moderately to avoid health risks. But what does Guinness beer really taste like?
10. New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
Average Price: Roughly $11.49 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Why We Like It: New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale is a great craft beer for non-beer drinkers because it is easy to drink and a well-balanced beer.
It is made from barley malts, Munich, and C-80 with juicy hops.
Aside from the citrus notes, the light beer boasts a lime peel scent and carbonation level similar to sparkling wine.
9. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Average Price: Roughly $11.49 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5.6%
Why We Like It: Aside from its iconic green label, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is excellent if you are new to beers.
It has a pleasant citrus and pine aroma, making a refreshing summer beer.
Unlike other pale ales [2], the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is bright and well-balanced.
Aside from its potent floral note, it has the right bitterness and alcohol content.
Read: What Time Should You Buy Beer In Georgia?
8. Bud Light Lime
Average Price: Roughly $16.29 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Why We Like It: Bud Light Lime is an excellent beer if you prefer something other than stronger beers.
It is made under the traditional fermentation process for a rich and flavorful beer.
Bud Light Lime is a refreshingly crisp beer with a bright citrus twist. The balance of sweetness and tartness makes it one of the best beers for beginners. But how many Bud Lights will get you drunk?
7. Founders Robust Porter
Average Price: Roughly $11.82 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 6.5%
Why We Like It: Founders Robust Porter is one of the best beers for non-beer drinkers because of its low alcohol content and refreshing tasting notes.
Founders Robust Porter has a silky black appearance and boasts a filling caramel malt and an intense chocolate presence.
It is cozy and velvety and makes you want to open another bottle.
6. Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Average Price: Roughly $18.99 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5%
Why We Like It: Samuel Adams Boston Lager is one of the best beers with distinct, balanced, and complex tasting notes.
The German-style lager has roasted malts, toffee, caramel, and a distinct hop character.
We like the crisp finish of the beer. It pairs nicely with buffalo wings or an orange slice.
Read: Top Beers For People Who Don’t Like Beer
5. Landshark Lager
Average Price: Roughly $9.99 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.6%
Why We Like It: Landshark is an island-style lager with a complex blend of two-row caramel malts and hops for a refreshing and light taste.
If you are not fully committed to drinking beer, lager is a fantastic beer to have.
Lager is one of the two types of beer with a light body and color [3].
Unlike the beers from local breweries, it has a remarkable malt sweetness. You can get it at a local liquor store, but it is also available in online stores in the USA.
4. Allagash White Ale
Average Price: Roughly $10.99 per 4-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 5.2%
Why We Like It: If you are a non-beer drinker, Allagash White Ale is a good beer to try.
Aside from its noticeable lime peel scent, it has light-tasting notes and a low ABV.
It upholds the Belgian tradition of beers and is known for being one of the most complex and refreshing craft beers.
It is best served at room temperature to taste its rich palate profile.
3. Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager
Average Price: Roughly $18.39 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Why We Like It: Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager is made from wheat malts and pilsner with real raspberries.
The berries add a wonderful fruity aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful subtle purple color.
The sweet taste profile of the beer is best served with light fruit desserts, chocolate, and certain cheeses.
2. Coors Light
Average Price: Roughly $14.49 per 12-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.2%
Why We Like It: Coors Light is a good beer for beginners because it is easy to drink and versatile.
Coors Light has a smooth taste and does not have the bitterness that you can find in other beers.
It is best to consume cold for a great and satisfying drinking experience.
Read: Coors Light vs Miller Lite
1. Miller High Life
Average Price: Roughly $7.99 per 6-pack (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 4.6%
Why We Like It:
Miller High Life is a crowd-favorite craft beer that has been gracing the beer world since 1903.
It has an easy drinking and crisp flavor of an authentic American lager.
The chill beer has remained unchanged over the years and will transform unsure hop newbies into a die-hard beer hipsters.
It is one of the pale lagers with an outstanding balance of sweetness, bitterness, and signature effervescence.
You can also check out our Miller High Life & Miller Lite comparison here.
FAQs
What is the easiest beer to drink?
Lagers are one of the types of beer that is easiest to drink. It is known for its light, crisp, and smooth flavor profile.
Is beer good for first-time drinkers?
Yes, beer is suitable for first-time drinks. However, you should be selective with the beers you will try because some are very bitter and have a taste that may not be appealing to your palate.
Go for beers with a light taste, low alcohol content, and refreshing palate profile.
How should I drink my first beer?
You should choose the right beer and glass if it’s your first time drinking beer. Pour the beer the right way and drink it slowly and savor the taste of the beer.
It will be best to avoid drinking ice-cold beer because you will not fully taste the flavor of the beer.
Instead, go for beer above room temperature to release the typical aroma and flavor [4].
In Summary
If you are new to the beer scene, it can be overwhelming and confusing what beer to drink first.
Avoid trying many beers because it takes a lot of work and can be confusing.
Instead, go for light beers like Coors Light, Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Lager, and Landshark Lager because they have low alcohol content and a well-balanced taste.
However, if you want the best beer for beginners, Miller High Life is the right bottle.
Aside from its alcohol content and approachable tasting notes, it goes well with different foods and will not confuse your taste buds.
References:
- https://time.com/25145/guiness-calories-alcohol-content/
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/ale
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/definition-of-lager-353244
- https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/how-to-drink-beer-the-right-way/
