If you have any friends who still say that Bud Light Platinum is their favorite beer then I’m sure you’ve also felt your insides twist up as those words hit your ears. We deserve better, your friends deserve better. We came up with 5 of the brews that we depend on when converting our Miller Lite Maniac friends into friends with taste. So, let’s Make Beer Drinking Great Again.

1. Country Boy Cougar Bait

Country Boy Brewing has been putting out some seriously good brews in many varieties. There are a few reasons this particular beer makes our list. This brew tends to be more in line with the expectations of “beer” for those who aren’t into craft beer. It is an easy introduction to something new and it’s absolutely delicious.

2. New Belgium Fat Tire

New Belgium’s Fat Tire is one that is very expected to be on this list. It is hands down one of the best beers that has come out of the craft market and it shows in its national availability. This is an Amber Ale found in almost every bar, liquor store, and many grocery stores. Surprise your Bud Light friends with this and they will definitely not be disappointed.

3. Goose Island 312

Goose Island isn’t necessarily “craft beer” anymore as it was picked up under the Anheuser-Busch InBev umbrella, but they are still putting out good stuff. This is one of the beers that I first noticed people bringing to tailgates and bonfires that wasn’t a mass-produced American beer. Based in Chicago, this Wheat Ale is smooth, easy to drink, not too filling, and an easy crowd pleaser.

4. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is probably the most adventurous brew on our list. It takes a step outside of the easy, smooth, medium-bodied ales featured so far and brings in a bigger punch of hops. The best part about the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is how good of an introduction it is to the flavor of hops and the bitterness that always turns people away at first. Here is a great start to this world of pale ales that many of us have come to love.

5. Guinness

Before you go taking shots at me just hear me out. Guinness is not a craft beer, and I don’t think anyone will dispute that. In fact, it isn’t even that fantastic of a beer on this side of the pond (I’m in the United States). But Guinness opens up an important door into beer drinking, and that’s the door into those dark, sweet, rich, full beers. More importantly, it does so without being overpowering or too much. Once people are opened up to the world of dark beer that I personally adore, they have the ability to dive into porters, stouts, Winter Warmers, so on and so forth.

There we have it, five beers that we believe are a good introduction into the world of loving craft beer. These local breweries are busting their ass to fight with the beer giants, and they’re making superior beers. We love ’em and we hope this list helps you convince your friends to love them too!

As always, if you have any recommendations, comments, or questions reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or via email!

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