A friend's dog passed away suddenly recently. A group of us got together and decided on a memorial gift. Because he's a beer lover and home brewer, we had pint glasses made with a memorial design a friend created and we're going to give those with some nice beer, and I am in charge of the beer. I would like to get some nice large format bottles, things that are rare (special release) and maybe pricier than what he would typically spend on himself (if they're worth it), but they don't all have to be expensive of course - just good. We have a pretty decent budget of about $85.
As far as styles of beer, I think he tends to the styles I do - IPAs or pale ales or at the other end of the spectrum, porters and stouts. The beers he's brewed since I've known him have been a (fantastic) milk stout, an IPA, and I think a porter. But, at heart he's a beer lover and I think he'll appreciate anything that is of good quality.
So any suggestions? I will probably go to I.M. Wine and/or Perfect Pour because those are the 2 stores in my area that have rather nice selections of beer and informed staff, but I may also pick some up at Corridor. They actually had a lot of large format bottles when I went in a couple of weeks ago, including a lot of Dogfish Head you don't see otherwise. Not inclusive I'm sure, but some of the special releases they have right now.
Thanks!