Graduation is within reach for the class of 2012. And though celebratory restaurants have probably been long selected, nothing says, “Congratulations, you did it!” quite like a quality beer with friends and family. Here are a few refreshing options to consider:
Nøgne Ø Saison
Nøgne Ø Saison (6.5 percent ABV) — This saison is crisp, thirst quenching and seasonally appropriate. The Norwegians got it right with this one.
Nøgne Ø Saison is a pretty brew, with a cloudy caramel color beneath a frothy off-white head.
With an apple, lemon peel and banana scent, it washes lightly over the tongue with a present — yet subtle — carbonation.
Nothing about this brew is jarring. Instead, the subtle hops play nicely with the Belgian yeast, wheat and malts. The effect is a balanced flavor with a fruity undertone and bready finish.
Certainly this is a clean and well-made beer that will likely appeal to the masses without sacrificing quality.
Nøgne Ø Saison is a deserving candidate for a cheery graduation toast.
Dogfish Head Aprihop (7 percent ABV) — In years past, Aprihop was another brew that struck a great balance between sweet fruit and bitter hop flavors. This year’s batch errs more on the bitter side, akin to the American IPA. If hops are your thing, Aprihop is another fine choice for graduation beer.
A word of caution — hop flavors tend to be more polarizing to drinkers’ palates. Either you love them, or you hate them.
This amber-hued brew is a solid option for emerging hop enthusiasts. Though the apricot and hops seem to be mutually muffling flavors, the beer is definitely astringent with a hint of citrus present throughout each sip.
Dogfish Head’s 2012 batch of Aprihop is not a beer for those fixated with Bud, Miller and Coors.
But for the right palate, this beer is still great party material.
Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot
Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot (7.8 percent ABV) – This spring seasonal smelled immediately of bready, malty goodness, which carried over heavily into the taste.
The appearance was a little less appealing. With the color, consistency and carbonation of Coca Cola, it’s admittedly odd for a relatively strong beer.
The clarity and thinness didn’t match the flavor, however: typical of a strong brown ale.
Grapefruit hops, lingering caramel and chocolate were also pronounced, but the flavor was overall pretty mild. Nothing about it seemed particularly “WTF” — unless they were referring to the consistency – or lack thereof.
Samuel Adams New World Tripel(10 percent ABV) – This golden triple poured lots – LOTS – of banana- and yeast-scented foam.
Belgian yeast was immediately noticeable in the taste, though it contributed more to funkiness than pleasantness. It was largely reminiscent of a saison or slightly-contaminated homebrew — with underlying hints of diaper or antiseptic.
The hops tasted herbal, with spices and tropical fruits to match. And though it’s advertised as an oak barrel-aged ale, that was the least obvious aspect of the less-than-wonderful flavor.
The taste just didn’t work for me, though I’d want to taste the difference with an aged bottled.