“They think, ‘Those things taste like pinecones. I don’t want that.’” Michael Payne, of Huntsville retailer Liquor Express and Craft Beer, is explaining why he thinks some beer drinkers want nothing to do with craft beer, those locally-made creative brews.

“The other thing is that people are brand loyalists,” Payne continues. Payne’s 6-foot-4 height and long hair give him the vibe of an alternative-rock Sasquatch. “They’re just so comfortable with, you know, buying Anheuser Busch products or stuff like that because they see it all the time.”

He adds, “Or they think all these craft beers are like hipster thing. It’s a fad.”

Whatever the case, despite the legions of goateed craft-beer enthusiasts, millions of other beer drinkers want nothing to do with brew that are more – and here comes the dreaded “A” word – artisanal.

But craft beer is much more than stouts, sours and other hops-and-malt razzle-dazzle. And more than those high gravity (industry spin for high alcohol) IPAs (India Pale Ales) or double IPAs that after just two beers will leave you sloshed like a teenager at their first kegger.

With all that in mind, AL.com asked Payne to put together a make-your-own sixpack of Huntsville area made craft beers for beer drinkers who don’t like craft beer.

Straight To Ale Chill Pils

4.5 percent ABV (alcohol by volume)

“So,” Payne says, “the Pilsner section is [mainstream] stuff like Stella Artois, Peroni, Heineken. They’re light beers. They’re that nice golden color. They’re really easy to drink. That’s something like this Chill Pils right here. It’s good a nice light taste. It doesn’t sit in your stomach, and it doesn’t bog you down.”

Fractal Brewing Project Time Taker German-Style Pilsner

4.7 percent ABV

Well-known Pilsners also include the likes of Miller Lite, Budweiser and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Payne says of local upstarts Fractal, “These guys are really cool. They have some of the best beers I’ve had out of this town.”

Yellowhammer Brewing Gold American Light Lager

5 percent ABV

Payne says, “That one’s really good. If you wanted to replace your Bud Light, that would be a solid choice for it.”

Old Black Bear Cave City Lager

5.2 percent ABV

Payne says Madison brewery Old Black Bear’s Cave City Lager is another gateway craft beer for Bud Light drinkers. “We sell this one all the time,” he says.

Fractal Brewing Project Invariant Amber Ale

5.3 percent ABV

“Amber ales are going to be things like New Belgium Fat Tire,” Payne says, “which some people consider craft beer, but they’ve gotten so big it’s not one anymore. Killian’s Red is also kind of in that sort of vein, even though it’s more of an Irish red ale. Red ales and amber ales are a little bit different – it would be complicated to get into that. But that would also be in the Yuengling area too. So if you like drinking Yuengling, this Fractal Invariant Ale is really good.”

Yellowhammer Brewing Belgian White Ale

4.8 percent ABV

Payne says, “This is my favorite beer made in Huntsville. It’s got so many complicated flavors. It’s delicious. It’s one of those beers that you would like just sit on your porch in 85, 90-degree weather and drink all day.” Payne says YH’s Belgian White would be a good local craft beer gateway for fans of Blue Moon or even Michelob Ultra.

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