I don't know about you but there are always a few people on my list for which choosing gifts is especially difficult. They either seem to have everything that they could possibly want or I have no idea what gifts they might want. If you have someone like that on your list that loves beer, here are ten gifts that they will certainly enjoy.
I mentioned You Got Beer in my blog some time ago and received enthusiastic comments from readers that have used their service.
Here's how it works: You go to YouGotBeer.com and buy your beer lover a $5 gift certificate which can be redeemed for a beer at any of the growing number of participating restaurants, including brewpubs. This gift certificate is emailed to them in the form of a greeting card from YouGotBeer.com.
2. Magazines
There are some really good beer magazines out there.
All About Beer, US - Every issue is packed with industry news, articles that study beer in depth, and a ratings section that rates hundreds of beers.
Beer & Brewer, Australia and New Zealand - A quarterly that features industry news, beer & food matching, home brewing tips and beer tasting notes.
Draft, US - This magazine focuses beer drinking culture. Glossier and with a little less depth than the others, it is good for idle thumbing.
Beers of the World, UK - This magazine covers every aspect of commercial beer from history and tastings to where readers can buy particular brands.
Beer Advocate, US - This is the ultimate craft beer lover's publication from the owners of BeerAdvocate.com.
3. Beer Books
Every year there are new books about beer on the shelves. Here are some recent titles of interest:
Ambitious Brew - Before it was released in Oct 2006, this beer history book was
causing controversy. Controversy aside, it is a well written and fascinating book about beer's story in America.
Three Sheets to the Wind - This beer travel book is great fun to read as the author determines to personally experience as much of the world's beer drinking culture as possible.
The Brewmaster's Table - Perfect for the gourmand beer lover, this book explores the pleasures in the relationship between real beer and real food.
4. Breweriana
Collecting beer memorabilia is something that all beer lovers do at one level or another. Whether it be a labeled pint glass or two from favorite breweries or a rare 19th century bottle from a long gone brewer these items represent brand loyalty, devotion to the brew, and the owner's particular love of beer. You can find signage, glasses, bottle openers, key-chains, and all sort of other things from you beer lover's favorite brewery. If the brewery itself doesn't have a website with items for sale - and most do these days - then you can usually find collectibles from many breweries on EBay.Beer themed clothing will also go over well with most beer lovers. Make sure, though, that if you are buying brand specific beer clothing that it is from a brand your beer lover actually likes! Most breweries sell tee shirts and caps. Some also offer pants, jackets, gloves, and pretty much any other article of clothing that you could think of with their logos emblazoned on them.
6. Beer!
I suppose that this is a rather obvious choice but one worth mentioning. Nothing would make me happier that a six-pack of good beer on any holiday or for my birthday and I'm sure most beer lovers agree. Whether you go all out and pick out a
beer gift basket or just go down to the liquor store and pick up a pack of your beer lover's favorite, nothing can top the perfect simplicity of this gift.
If a six pack of good beer seems a little lame to you then a membership in a beer of the month club might be the direction you want to go.
Does your beer lover have the proper glassware to serve Pilsner? Hefeweizen? Belgian ale? If not, it could be up to you to fix that! There is a wide selection of beer glassware available ranging from the classic to the corny.
This is a little pricey but if your beer lover has a home bar - or dreams of one - a kegerator would make a perfect gift. These little refrigerators are designed specifically to hold and keep cool a whole keg of beer.
The ultimate beer lover's gift has to be an entire vacation based around beer. This growing niche of the tourism industry can take you all over the world in pursuit of the ultimate beer trail. As a gift, of course, it is beyond pricey but if eternal gratitude is what you're looking for, then a beer based holiday is perfect.
