Good serious beer for a noob

I think it's how he drinks... You shouldn't be drinking Meads and Craft Beers like water. Some you can but they should be enjoyed and savored. He's too used to the BMC's being watered down I guess haha!

 

A solid BA stout with it's correspondent snifers. Pour him 4 oz. Don't ask him if he likes it, don't pressure him. Just let him drink it at his pace. Don't make it the main point of the conversation. And when his glass is empty, pour him another four oz. Make sure to keep it in the fridge. He might not get the it's 'better at room temperature'.

 

Yep. I think I've had more success with FBS converting people than any other craft beer, sans maybe Pumking because I found most people just like pumpkin anything.

 

There ya go, nothing beats fresh.

 

Rochefort 8 seems fitting
(from what i read 10 would be suitable as well but i've only tried 8 so i can't personally recommend 10 yet)

 

This and the other similar comments. Teach your fiend how to slow down, savor, and enjoy. Pretty basic need there in my opinion. Otherwise, whatever you give him might be a complete waste. It isn't about pounding them down.

 

I wouldn't buy him a BA anything. My brother has been into craft for a while now and loves big stouts (no BA's yet). I gave him a Parabola for his bday (my favorite beer) and he said if he wanted to drink bourbon he would drink bourbon. Needless to say I wasted money and time on a beer he wasn't ready for yet.

 

Rereading my response earlier, I see I misread a part of the original. So forget what I wrote. Doppelbock is actually not a bad idea, under the circumstances, since this is not a long-term strategy. It's more like a "regular" beer, although obviously heavier. And Bell has one, if you can't find a good German one. I certainly would not recommend any stouts. And the funk in true Belgians is often offensive to BMC drinkers if they are not prepared for it. So I'll say go with a Doppelbock or Oktoberfest.

 

If you want to keep the ABV down but still get a great beer thats readily accessible to most people, I'd take a good look at Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout or Taddy Porter. Both are 5% and very easy to drink and enjoy. Most people I've tried to turn onto craft beer have really enjoyed these two gems. Doesn't hurt that they are pretty cheap as well .

Edit: Upon rereading this comment, stouts may not be the best option... Though Taddy and OS don't hit you like the American stouts and porters do

 

Celebrate that kid with some Celebrator, baby!

 

Go with something Belgian. They're easy to handle, delicious, and are fitting for a special occasion - especially if you get one that's corked and caged. Nice and fancy, affordable, and great-tasting.

Cheers!

 

I can understand why most people here think everyone would share their personal taste in beer, I just can't believe how many times they express that idea--like every time they are asked for an advice for a newbie. {Facepalm}

 

And your's is a better approach? German! German! German! (And hopefully something else that you accidentally stumble upon/ happen to not dislike.)

Pretty sure everyone else's response is "advice for a newbie," brah bratwurst.

 

You're assuming that I am saying "German" because my preference is for German styles. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm just realistic that my preferences are highly unlikely to convert a noob. Offering a top Tripel to someone who's never gone beyond Heineken or Beck's will not make a positive impression. Worse, you can get him a sour and watch him pour a $40 bottle down the drain. You're entitled to your tastes. You're also entitled to your opinion. And it even doesn't have to be rational...

 

just to weigh into the above discussion, i actually don't think most german beers would fit the occasion. definitely suitable for weening a beer novice onto better beers but not so much a big celebratory beer. somehow i dont imagine myself celebrating the most important day of my life with a marzen or a kolsch.

 

Agreed. This thread has gone down hill pretty quick. It is not the typical help-a-noob question, either. The basic premise seems weird. Giving the guy a big beer he probably won't appreciate doesn't seem fitting from his perspective. "Oh yeah...dude, remember when my kid was born and you gave me that beer I hated? That was awesome...."

Normally all for trying to spread the word, but this seems like a real stretch.

 

Kolsch, no. Marzen? That's an occasion for celebration all onto itself

The trouble is, if he's not celebrating with Marzen, is he celebrating with PBR or with bourbon? I suppose, there's always "champagne-style" beer as well, but that may well offend a novice palate. Given the baseline in OP, it's hard to predict what might pass as celebratory beer. I'd go for a big Belgian myself, but I've been drinking them for 20+ years. I also know that when I've shared them, a lot of people don't like the yeast presence. So I certainly would not offer them as intro on a big occasion. Same for big stouts, although some BA versions might be smooth enough to get away with. Maybe it's just a wrong occasion to make the introduction. ...

 

hoptimum!

 

For inoffensive big beers you can't go wrong with JW Lees or Chimay Blue.

 

I'll put another vote in for founders breakfast stout. Easy to get and ages ok.