Craft Beers Dad Will Actually Love
If he drinks Blue Moon…
Allagash White
The beer we always recommend to someone looking to expand their beer horizons. Allagash White packs those orange and spice notes he’s familiar with, and it does so in a more refined package. Link
Stillwater Cellar Door
Billed as an American Farmhouse Ale, Stillwater’s Cellar Door really tiptoes the line between saison and witbier. The slight tartness will be new to dad, but the citrus and spice will be pleasantly familiar. Link
Jack’s Abby Leisure Time Lager
Brewed with wheat, coriander, and orange peel, Jack’s Abby’s Leisure Time Lager has a lot in common with the iconic witbier dad’s used to. What’s different, however, is it adds a nice lager-y crispness to the mix. Link
If he drinks Bud, Miller, or Coors…
Victory Helles Lager
Complexity was never the aim with the American Macro, and it isn’t here with Victory’s Helles Lager. Crisp and easy-drinking, Helles Lager is light-bodied and refreshing like The King of Beers. Link
New Glarus Totally Naked
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on New Glarus’s brews, you can pick up a beer that’s the perfect segue from mass-produced adjunct lagers to something more crafty. Totally Naked is a bit creamier and a bit more flavorful than dad’s go-to. Link
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
At its core, this beer shares a lot with dad’s favorites—it’s a crisp, clean lager—but it unfurls from there like a blooming flower. With a wonderful biscuit and malt presence and a hoppier profile, it’s an outstanding entry to the small world of craft lagers. Link
If he drinks Guinness…
Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro
The flavors aren’t exactly the same as Guinness, but the creamy, nitro-induced mouthfeel will remind pops of the Irish classic. Link
North Coast Old #38 Stout
This Irish Dry Stout delivers the goods, and it does so with a bit more sweetness than your standard Guinness. It’s as close a match as there is in the bottled American craft world. Link
Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout
The tricky thing here is you’ll have to get this beer on draft with dear old dad, but if you can, you won’t find an American beer that will make him happier. It’s a dead ringer. Link
If he drinks Newcastle…
Abita Turbodog
For the dad who prefers the sweet maltiness of an English Brown Ale, he’ll be exceedingly happy to knock back an Abita Turbodog or two with you. He’ll enjoy the chocolate profile and a bit more hops than his standard Newcastle. Link
Cigar City Maduro
You can trust Cigar City to craft fine brews, and Maduro is their (relatively) available English Brown that mimics the sweetness of a pint of Newcastle. Pair it with a couple of stogies. Link
Pretty Things St. Botolph’s Town
While a brown ale at heart, St. Botolph’s Town is really a beer all its own. Your father will notice similarities to his precious Newcastle, but thanks to two yeast strains and other style-breaking choices, the beer will offer him new flavors to enjoy—a hint of acid, some smokiness, even a bit of coconut. It will be a fun, palate-expanding brew for your pops. Link
