Originally posted by: Strang
I just recently started drinking dark beers. I was intimidated by them for the longest time and I didn't want to order one and not like it, but I finally tried some at a brewpub by my house and, to my surprise, actually enjoyed it. I prefer sweeter beers to bitter, but I haven't really settled on any particular type yet. Previous to that, I mainly stuck to ambers, but now I've decided that I don't really care for their flavor.
Porters are generally not as bitter as stouts.
You could try Guinness though, a LOT of pubs stock it (well, anything calling itself a 'pub' in the US will - it's an Irish beer, your luck at other bars will vary, though). Anyway, it's a stout, but a VERY mild one. Almost no bitter taste at all. Make sure it's on tap, though. Guiness doesn't bottle very well.
Actually, my sister in law refers to it as a 'beer milkshake', and that's about right. Tastes like a beer, just as thick as a milkshake - heh.
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Killians and Amber bock aren't dark. Grab an oatmeal stout or an Imperial stout. Now THOSE are dark.
As for what I prefer? That depends on mood, temperature, and what I'm doing at the time. I much prefer having something like a Coors or an MGD when it's 100 degrees out and I'm grilling burgers. But, if I'm inside having steak or just want to relax after a long day and it isn't blistering hot, then a nice smooth porter or stout is heavenly.
There's a time and place for different types of beers.
As to 'type'....
Well, like noted above by a couple people, it depends on the mood.
For a nice steak dinner, some great seafood, Thai, etc - wine. Sorry, beers just don't do it justice.
For a 'quickie' steak dinner (steakhouse fare, Fridays, Chilis, etc), or ANY kind of sandwich for dinner (partial to French Dips or Cheesesteaks)...Guiness, it is!
For Mexican, or a blistering day with hot dogs or burgers...I like 'em light. Sorry, no MGD or Coors for me, though (like drinking water, really, how do you do that?).
Corona and Dos Equis (Dox Equis....*mmmm*....) are both VERY good light beers. Killians is amber-ish and isn't bad. Corona you need the lime for.
But, Coors/MGD/Bud....bleh. Not even at sporting events, sorry!
Heh, one of our local brewing companies had a 'Darth Porter' as a seasonal beer. Hehe.
Actually, that reminds me. A local spicey burrito/alternative hangout joint here (serves mostly wraps with SPICEY spices, kinda Mongolian themed) has something they call "The Wrap of Kahn". Hehehe.
