What criteria do YOU use when suggesting/buying beer for someone you don't know well? Maybe you just met.!
Answers: For me, I try to suggest something that I think they will like that I suspect may be new or different to them. I am a Texan, so I will usually suggest a Shiner Boch which is a local favorite. If it is a fellow Texan, I will suggest a European beer I like or if at an Asian restataunt, I will go with something interesting from that culture. Cheers!
factor in their ethnic background or maybe what u think they might like based on what you know. You could just go with something general
I get something of a decent quality that I like. It says something about you and the point of meeting people is getting to know each other.
Pick a price range and then something you don't think they will have tried before, like a boutique brewery product. I always go for Belgian beers because they are so well-crafted. Also, ask the salesperson if there is anything unique or interesting that they can recommend (again, within your price range).
Are they really into beer? A belgian saison or trappist would say you know a little about beer or at least asked someone who does. Do they like beer but don't know a lot about it? Many of the microbrewer's offer variety 6 packs as a good introduction to styles.
Depends on what your using it for. One or two with a meal and something dark is good. Drinking games and light beers rule. Or buy your favorite, thats what I'd do. If they hate it you can at least talk about how different your tastes are, and you have plenty of your favorite beer.