With the holidays quickly approaching, the annual search for the perfect gift is well underway, right? To help you out, we came up with 10 great gift ideas for that beer fan in your life.
1. Beer
Naturally. But this time of year, there are a lot of rare, seasonal beers that make great gifts. Why bring wine to a party when you can bring a "bomber" bottle of bourbon-barrel aged stout, or a rich, winter ale? Plus, they start at just $5, and will age just fine if you're not giving them away for a month or so (just keep them out of sunlight).
2. Growlers
These are larger glass or ceramic jugs that can be purchased then filled straight from the tap. They're wonderful gifts for a beer fan or party gathering, and can be cleaned and refilled almost anywhere that offers growler fills. You do want to use up the beer in a few days, so if you purchase a filled growler, make sure you gift it soon afterward.
3. Charcuterie/sausage
Few things go with beer as well as salted, cured meat. Strong spiced sausage works great with an IPA or sweeter brown ales, while charcuterie is accented nicely by lagers, pilsners and kolsch.
4. Cheese
Like the meats, fine cheeses are a good addition. Mild cheeses are good with stouts and porters, but stronger cheeses go great with ales, lagers and wheat beers.
5. Chocolate
Go upscale on some chocolates (my personal favorite is from Salazon), then pair it up with a coffee stout.
6. Chips
Skip the Doritos - find some quality, kettle-cooked potato chips at your local market or deli, and they'll go GREAT with a number of beers. Just don't get too exotic with the flavors (like bacon horseradish dip flavor), and the beer fan you buy them for will have no problems pairing them.
7. Bottle openers
Every beer fan can use a cool bottle opener, and we're always surprised by what we come across. Tacky, fun ones can usually be found for a couple bucks at a number of small businesses, but some antique shops have some VERY cool vintage offerings worth looking into.
8. Vintage beer steins
Another cool find? Vintage beer steins. These can be found at antique & consignment stores, and can be had pretty inexpensively (though some old, ornate ones can go for hundreds of dollars). In fact, Christian uses a beer stein as a coffee mug.
9. Beer koozies
These foam and neoprene covers are readily available, and come in handy in the summer, or so you don't freeze your hand to the beer can or bottle while tailgating during football season. They're usually available with team logos and beer brands, so pick a favorite.
10. Gift cards/certificates
Why not pay a bar tab? Most small businesses offer gift cards or certificates will happily sell you one so your beer fan will get exactly what they want.
