In the stocking stuffer section:
I wanted to start with one of the more important aspects of beer drinking that most people overlook: the glass! My favorite glass to use for just about any beer is the Belgium tulip. The way that it condenses the aromas really adds to any beer that you get off the shelf or pour from your keg. Or for those that like to share the love, some taster glasses are always a great addition to any set.
To keep up with the latest and greatest in the world of craft beer and brewing, two of my favorite print sources are Zymurgy and Brew Your Own. While their focus is on home brewing, both contain reviews of beers, the biggest news buzzing around the craft beer world, and great articles from big names in beer. If you are leaning towards an edition of bound print, The Oxford Companion to Beer will satisfy any beer nerd. For something more on the unique side, try The World Guide to Beer by Michael Jackson. This was printed when Germany had an East and a West side, but the pictures, graphics, and descriptions of beer-styles make it something you can almost always pick up and enjoy.
Santa Gifts:
Let’s put a big Octoberfest-mug-sized smile on your brew drinkers’ face! For anyone familiar with The Bruery, they offer a membership called The Bruery Reserve Society. This grants perks, special access to rare beers and events. While it can seem a bit on the pricey side, ($295.00 as of November 19), it can be more than worthwhile if you want to make sure you get that one beer that you love so much from these guys. Check the link above for full details.
You can’t mention craft beer gifts without mentioning making your own beer. The Mr. Beer kits on the market right now are, well…okay. I have never really been impressed with their system as a home brewer, but then again, I jumped into this hobby with a bit of force. They can be found at a variety of different stores and don’t require much extra gear than what you already have in your kitchen. If you are looking to take things a little further, head over to Steinfillers near the airport for their starter kits. This will be a larger investment up front, but the results are well worth it.
If your home brewer already has thought about opening up a brewery in the garage, then a home kegging system (see Steinfillers site for a full kit) or just about anything from Blichmann Engineering will make them drool. In particular the Blichmann Brewstand is the cream of the crop. This is for the all-grain brewer that wants the most compact and versatile brew system on the market and some serious bragging rights. While the system is not cheap, (roughly $600-$1000, depending on your specifications), it is an investment piece that will never get old.
Last but not least, and my favorite since it is also a gift I have already received, the Danby Kegerator! This serves as my beer fridge, and with a few adjustments, it now pours out my latest batch of homebrew, (currently a Saison I am test-brewing for my wedding). The unit I have came with a CO2 canister, hosing, fittings and a US keg tap handle. If your craft beer drinker/homebrewer is looking for something that they can use anytime and for just about any reason or occasion, this is the perfect gift.
Are you a craft beer drinker/homebrewer hoping for the perfect present? If so what is it? Is there any gift that I missed on this list? Let me know in the comments below.
I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, and if you haven’t done so already, check out this great article about 5 great Pumpkin Beers, by Jason Ruiz. While this was written for Halloween, most of these would make a great addition to your holiday table.
*All of the recommendations made above are my own personal opinion, and I am not endorsed by any of the above listed companies.