The Ultimate Beer Gift Guide For Beer Connoisseurs

Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and it can be a great gift idea for the beer lover in your life. However, with so many different types and brands of beer available, choosing the perfect brew to gift can be a daunting task. In this article, we will explore some tips and tricks for selecting the ideal beer gift, from doing your research to combining it with unique accessories. So, whether you're buying for a craft beer enthusiast or a fan of mainstream brews, read on to discover how to give a beer gift that will surely delight.

Beer subscription boxes

Craft Beer Kings offers an exclusive Monthly Beer Club, where each month, a handpicked selection of new and exciting beers from top breweries is curated, ensuring access to the latest releases and hidden gems. Their club offers freshness and quality, sourcing the finest brews so that every beer received is at its peak of flavour and craftsmanship. They offer a range of subscription boxes, including an IPA Subscription Box, a Hazy Subscription Box, a Dark Beer Subscription Box, and a Mixed Style Subscription Box.

Beer of the Month Club offers five outstanding beer club subscription packages, focusing on quality, freshness, and variety. They offer a range of subscription types, including The U.S. Microbrewed Beer Club, The U.S. and International Variety Beer Club, The Hop-Heads Beer Club, and The International Beer Club. Each shipment includes beers from different breweries, tasting notes, and brewery profiles.

Amazing Clubs is America's #1 Rated Beer Club, delivering a new selection of 12 premium and award-winning craft beers in bottles and cans from boutique breweries across the country. They feature two different breweries every month and two different beers from each brewery, resulting in four varieties of unique craft beer in every shipment.

Beer Across America is another subscription service that delivers four varieties of award-winning beer from two independent craft breweries curated by a panel of experts.

Craft Beer Club offers monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly subscriptions, sending one or two dozen beers to your door.

Beer-themed books

If you're looking for a beer-themed gift, why not try a beer-themed book? Here are some ideas for the beer lover in your life:

• 'The Oxford Companion to Beer' is an approachable reference book that covers everything from the technical aspects of brewing to the culture surrounding beer.
• 'The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer With Real Food' is written by Garrett Oliver, the brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and the 2014 winner of the James Beard Award for Excellent Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional. This book is a great read for someone who knows they like drinking beer but doesn’t know much about its history or different brewing styles.
• 'Tasting Beer: An Insider’s Guide to the World’s Greatest Drink, Second Edition' is the definitive guide to tasting beer and developing your palate, written by Randy Mosher.
• 'The Complete Beer Course: Boot Camp for Beer Geeks: From Novice to Expert in Twelve Tasting Classes' is a crash course in beer appreciation by Josh Bernstein.
• 'Michael Jackson’s Beer Companion: The World’s Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions' is written by the late English beer critic and author, Michael Jackson (a.k.a. the Beer Hunter), who is credited for kickstarting the North American microbrewery movement in the 1970s.
• 'Brewing Up a Business' is written by Sam Calagione, the founder of Dogfish Head. This book combines his expertise from years in the beer world with practical entrepreneurship tips and strategies, and is a great choice if you're thinking about going into the beer business.
• 'The Comic Book Story of Beer' traces the history of beer from 7,000 BC to the present day in graphic novel form.

Beer-related gadgets

Beer Coolers and Insulators

• The Yeti Rambler Colster is a stainless-steel koozie that can keep beer frosty even on hot summer days. It's perfect for backyard, poolside, and campfire drinking.
• BrüMate Hopsulator Bott’l is another stainless-steel coozie that will keep 12-ounce bottles of IPA ice-cold.
• The Yeti Rambler Beverage Bucket is a stainless-steel bucket that can fit a six-pack plus ice and is perfect for indoor beer lovers.
• Uncommon Goods Cold Beer Coats are mini puffer jackets for beer cans, keeping drinks cold while preventing hands from getting chilly.
• The Cooper Cooler Rapid Beverage Chiller is a luxury gadget that quickly chills drinks.
• IceMule Large Classic Cooler is a backpack-style cooler that's perfect for beer lovers who like to take their drinks on camping, beach, or boat trips.
• Pelican Cooler Sling is a beer cooler that can perfectly fit four packs of 16-ounce cans, ideal for those who wait in line at their favourite breweries.

Beer Glassware and Accessories

• Spiegelau 4-Piece Craft Beer Tasting Kit includes an IPA glass, a glass for stouts, and a glass for American wheat beer, allowing drinkers to pick up on specific notes and flavours.
• Luigi Bormioli Bodega Glass is a 17-ounce glass, the perfect size for a pint, and is used in the tasting rooms of the cult Danish brewery Mikkeller.
• Restaurantware 20 oz Imperial Nonic Pint Glass has a bulge that helps catch aromas and provides a nice grip, especially if chilled before drinking.
• North Drinkware Pint Glass has a blown "mountain" at the base, adding a playful touch to the drinking experience.
• Miller High Life Champagne Coupe Glasses are both funny and functional, perfect for those who prefer the "champagne of beers."
• Stanley Classic Insulated Pint Tumbler is a refined option for tailgates, camping trips, and beach days.
• Snow Peak Stainless Steel and Nylon Tumblers are easy to pack and thermoregulating, perfect for pouring campfire brews.
• CB2 Pebble Leather Coasters are a luxurious gift option, with a beautiful polished brass holder.
• Uncommon Goods Beer Foaming Stones mimic the draft beer experience by creating a foam top layer when stuck in the bottom of the glass before filling.
• Uncommon Goods Beer Preserver are funny insulated life jackets for beer cans, perfect for summer drinking or boating.
• Uncommon Goods Campfire Beer Caramelizer is a rod that is stuck in a campfire and then inserted into beer to bring out caramelized flavours.

Beer Openers and Stoppers

• FS Objects Crown Bottle Opener is a sophisticated and well-designed gift that will last a lifetime.
• Alessi Anna G. Corkscrew, recommended by Strategist contributor Chris Black, is perfect for opening corked bottles of lambic beer.
• Pulltap’s Double-Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew can handle both corks and caps and features a knife to help remove wax or labels.
• Westmark Germany 3-in-1 Resealer Beer-Bottle Opener lets you reseal unfinished drinks with ease, featuring a how-to diagram etched right into the opener.
• Georg Jensen Elephant Bottle Opener is a design-oriented bottle opener recommended by designer Ben Kicic.
• Draft Top Lift Can Opener turns any aluminum can into a smooth-edged, open-top cup and elevates the flavour profile of beverages.
• Cuisinart Champagne Stopper keeps unfinished special bottles of beer or wine fresh for days.
• Beer Savers Silicone Rubber Bottle Cap lets you store an unfinished bottle of beer in the fridge for another day.

Beer and food pairings

India Pale Ale (IPA) and Spicy Foods

IPAs are known for their strong, bitter flavours, which can stand up to spicy dishes. The crisp, refreshing quality of an IPA can help balance out the heat of a meal, making it a perfect pairing for spicy cuisines like Mexican, Indian, or Thai. The carbonation in IPAs can also help cleanse the palate, enhancing the dining experience.

Stouts and Chocolate Desserts

The roasted malt flavours of stouts complement chocolate desserts exceptionally well. The dark chocolate notes found in many stouts are enhanced when paired with rich, indulgent chocolate cakes, brownies, or truffles. For an extra special treat, seek out a stout with notes of coffee or mocha to further accentuate the chocolate flavours.

Wheat Beers and Seafood

Wheat beers, such as hefeweizens or American wheat ales, tend to have a lighter, crisper flavour profile that pairs well with seafood. The citrus and bread-like notes in these beers can enhance the flavour of shellfish, especially when paired with a squeeze of lemon. Wheat beers also go well with lighter, summery dishes like salads or fruit-based desserts.

Sours and Salads

Sour beers, including goses and wild ales, have a tart, acidic quality that can cut through the richness of a salad, especially one with a vinaigrette dressing. The fruity notes in many sour beers can also complement the flavours of fresh produce. For an extra treat, add some fruit to your salad, such as strawberries or apples, to play off the flavours in the beer.

Pilsners and Pizza

A crisp, refreshing pilsner is an excellent choice to pair with a slice of pizza. The carbonation and mild bitterness of a pilsner can help cut through the cheese and tomato sauce, while the malt backbone stands up to the crust. Whether you're enjoying a classic margherita or loading your pizza with toppings, a pilsner is a safe bet.

Beer-themed games

Beer! Card Game

This card game is a fun and simple party starter, perfect for up to four people. The game is easy to play and will get drinks flowing and the party rolling. The game is highly rated by customers, who have described it as "the best drinking game" and a "good party starter".

Beeropoly

A fun twist on a classic board game, Beeropoly requires players to complete beer-related challenges, such as a rhyming competition. As the game progresses and players consume more beer, the challenges become more difficult and entertaining. Beeropoly is available at Uncommon Goods and Walmart.

Beer Pong

The quintessential skill-based drinking game, Beer Pong is played by teams of two on a full-length table with plastic cups and ping pong balls. The game is simple: teams take turns aiming for the opposing team's cups, and if a cup is made, the opposing team drinks and removes that cup. The game continues until all cups are made, with the losing team finishing their drinks. Beer Pong can be played with water in the cups, providing a more hygienic and better-tasting alternative to using beer.

Beer Die

Beer Die is a highly competitive and skill-based drinking game for four players. The game requires four plastic cups, a table, and two six-sided dice. Cups are filled with beer and arranged at the corners of the table. Teams of two take turns throwing the dice above an agreed-upon height, and the opposing team must catch the dice with one hand before it hits the table. If a die lands in a cup, three points are scored, and that cup must be finished before resuming play.

Drunk Jenga

Drunk Jenga is a fun twist on the classic game of Jenga. Players take turns removing blocks from the tower, and each time a block is removed, the player takes a sip of their drink. The loser of the game must finish their drink! Drunk Jenga is a cheap and easy way to add a fun beer-themed element to your next party.

These games are sure to be a hit at your next gathering and will have everyone enjoying their favourite beers and creating memorable moments together.

Frequently asked questions