Good serious beer for a noob

What is an Imperial Saison?

 

FWIW - I drain poured Final Absolution. That shit was disgusting.

Suggestions: Odd Sides Citra Pale Ale or Rochester Hills Milkshake Stout.

 

Founders Rubaeus or Bells Oberon

 

Huh, I guess it means you take a normal saison, add a few more percent ABV, and make it less gooder.

 

Dragon's Milk.
It ages well, is available year round, isn't overwhelming, is easy to find, and isn't expensive.

 

In situations like these, I always go with a Trappist beer. They're unique, they're handmade, they have a great story and history behind them, and they taste amazing.

 

Hah and that was friend, not "fiend"...

Still think this seems a little risky for such a memorable occasion. It would be totally cool if/when you get your buddy to appreciate better beer in general, but that's my opinion and none of us here knows your friend like you do. Just thinking if somebody had given me a DIPA or big RIS before I had learned to appreciate them it would be a "what the hell, dude" moment for me. Then again, I dove fully clothed into a pool of Ruination with no idea what I was in for, so what do I know? There's obviously a bunch of safer choices and at the end of the day it is your call.

You are kind of asking for an oxymoron - an entry level "big beer". Your friend tried a higher ABV brew (I haven't had it so no clue about the quality of said beer) and didn't react well, yet you want something with depth and high ABV to it to commemorate events, but then bring up Citra Pale Ale which is a 5.75%. Something sort of mainstream yet memorable seems to be the goal. Solid choices have been mentioned already.

Good luck, and best wishes for your friend and his growing family.

 

st bernardus tripel

 

Let your mind start a journey with a strange new brew
Leave all thoughts of the beer you knew before
Let your palette take you where you long to be
Only then can you belong to me

 

Stop calling beer serious.