How do you get used to the taste of beer if you find it disgusting?

Answer 1

Practice!

Beer is certainly an acquired taste because nothing you've had before really tastes like it, so it can be quite shocking when you first start.

If you really want to cultivate beer appreciation as a hobby, and I hope that you do, there's a few things you can do.

1. Like I said, practice. You'll get used to some of the more jarring sensations of drinking beer and it will quickly become a more pleasant experience. This will allow you to concentrate on the subtle flavors and aromas that beer can bring you.

2. Try a wide variety of styles. It saddens me to think how many people have picked up some terrible cheap beer in a warm can, tossed it back, wretched a little and decided never to touch beer again. The range of styles in beer is broader than wine by quite a bit- you may hate one style and love many others.

3. Start simple. Start with beers with mild flavors and strengths- American amber, British pale ale, hefeweizen, kolsch, maybe brown ales. These won't be so shocking to a young palette like an IPA or a barleywine may be- save those for later!

4. Learn about what you're drinking. Most people who drink Guinness think it's this thick, strong flavored beer, that fills you up- none of these things are true! It's an impression born of ignorance, and the fact that Guinness actually has flavor as opposed to what most people have experienced (light lagers like Bud etc). Guinness is in fact lighter and less alcoholic than most beers without the word Light on the label. If you learn about beer you'll know that Guinness is brewed with a healthy portion of roasted barley, which gives it the black color and roasted coffee flavor. I could go on about beer myths... suffice to say education is power.

5. Take it easy. Drinking too much of anything will make you sick and could kill you. More to the point, it will associate beer to those feelings of being sick, and pull some of the enjoyment out of the hobby. Learn to recognize when enough is enough. There's no rush. Being drunk is not nearly as cool as most people think it is.

Answer 2

I find that beers from around the world are vastly different in taste and texture. Personally, I like European beer, but can't stand Canadian or American beer. Simply try beers from around the world and see which you like the most. From there, the more you drink it, the more you will develop a taste for it and start enjoying a refreshing glass.