‘Tis the season for sites like ours to come up with lists of holiday gifts for your favorite beer nerd. I’ve never done one of these, and for good reason – they’re usually full of stuff I don’t want. Instead, there are chintzy brew at home kits, books about beer, clever bottle openers and a bunch of crap that says “I know you love beer, but I don’t know anything about beer.”
So instead of that, I’m going to list a few things that would make me lose my mind like the “Nintendo Sixty-Foooooour!!” kid in the video above…
First up, there’s beer. It can be tricky to buy beer for a beer nerd, but the rewards far outweigh the risks, especially when you give something that your beer geek can talk about on the online nerd hives they frequent (like this one).
Starting at the low end, I would love to get a bottle or two of 2010 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout. It was my favorite beer at the Pints for Prostates rare beer tasting at GABF this past fall, and I would go nuts for another shot at one of these.
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Dreaming a bit bigger, I’d definitely do a happy dance if I unwrapped a decanter of Sam Adams 2009 Utopias on Christmas morning. I’ve had it twice, and both times it literally made me tingle with pleasure. It’s pricey, but I can honestly say that I’m worth it. 🙂
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On the beer gear front, I’d love to turn my beer fridge into a fountain of endless delights with a kegerator conversion kit. It’s a gift that keep on giving to the whole year long and would help get me moving on homebrewing again (the thought of bottling has me frozen).
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Besides that, maybe some nice grown-up glassware to replace the hodgepodge of branded vessels I drink out of now. A nice set of Belgian Tulips or Berlin Goblets would be a welcome addition for sure. And honestly, that’s all I can come up with.
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You can help to make this a more useful list of beer gifts by sharing the beer-related stuff you’d love to receive. Perhaps it’s a rare beer or a home bar or one of those hats that hold two beer cans (hey, lots of good stuff comes in cans these days). Whatever it is, please share below. Just be sure to dream big.
And maybe once you’re done, you can send a link to this page to your special someone and let them know you left a comment. If they can’t take that not-so-subtle hint, I hope you enjoy your flannel pajamas and electric razor. 😦
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Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
“I know you love beer, but I don’t know anything about beer.”
This is such a great line! Although it’s hard to fault well-meaning relatives who want to be a part of something you love. But, really, how many beer-branded shaker glasses does one person need? I always try to insist on gift-certificates to homebrew or beer stores. You can’t go wrong there. In a perfect world, though, I might receive some Black Tuesday… or maybe one of these: http://www.brew-magic.com/bm_gallery_pilot.html. Dream big, right?
That’s the spirit, Michael! Way to dream big.
And I love the idea of gift certificates to home brew shops and beer stores. It’s a great way to get what you really want.
You know what it is a damn good thing my Brother Jim didn’t see this thing when he decided to start home brewing, otherwise he would be out the $5600 for the system, and while it would look great in his garage, but would ultimately be a bitch to dust every month, as he would also need a home bottling line to get over his fear of bottling his home brew!
You’re totally wrong about that, Don. I knew about “brew sculptures” when I overpaid for my mega-kettle. I know how to practice restraint.
But that bottling line idea is a good one…hmm…
Gotcha thinkin’… 😉
The Sam Adams “Perfect Pint” is so completely overthought and overdesigned that I simply must have it.
http://www.samueladams.com/enjoy-our-beer/tasting-eval/function-over-form.aspx
The Delirium Tremens tulip glass is my favorite piece of glassware. The badass pink elephants really make it work.
http://www.beerables.net/delirium_tremens_snifter_glass.aspx
Ooh, I forgot all about the Perfect Pint glass – I’m very interested in trying out one of those. Good call!
Nice list Jim!
I think the gift-certificate Michael mentioned is a great idea (how can you go wrong???) and I’m also a big fan of the glasses as Alex mentioned. Its even better if the glasses are specific to a favorite brand, but a nice set of different glasses is always nice too. (I might actually buy one of the Delirium Noel glasses for myself now!) Love that stuff!
Our gift list page isn’t quite as personalized, but most people seem to appreciate it – books and all!
http://thebrewclub.com/cool-gifts-for-beer-lovers/
I wasn’t talking about your list, Scott. I was talking about those other lists. You know, the ones that aren’t yours.
I found these on Twitter. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but what a cool, unique gift for a hop-head!
http://www.hopcandyinc.com/hopolates/
They look pretty cool, and it’d be fun to taste the different hop varieties mixed with chocolate. I might actually learn something!
Just keep them away from dogs, as chocolate and hops are both poisonous to pooches.
You’re right, it’s almost the perfect canine toxin treat. We are a dog-free house so no worries there, but I’ll be sure to warn my buddy. I just ordered a box as a gift.
Ha! The point is, (for me anyway) its a beery gift-giving continuum that people need to figure out, and that’s where lists help.
Sometimes, a book is an awesome gift for someone just getting into home-brewing, or just wanting to learn about beer styles, or someone who really likes books! ( I think you bought a couple books for your own brewing project.)
Nothing wrong with the basics if that’s where you’re at or you aren’t sure what to give. I think a gift-card is the ultimate basic beer gift, with less risk, but one can also just put $100 in a card for even more flexibility and no risk.
Actually, I think my favorite gift someone can give a beer lover is time. How cool is it to have someone come over and share a beer with you now and then – have some good conversation, reminisce – whatever. Time is underrated as a gift.
I agree. I just know that it’s hard to know what kind of really cool beer gifts to get someone if you know nothing about beer.
I will say that if you end up getting those bottles of the Goose Island B.C.B.C.S as a gift, one would make an excellent gift to a certain fellow NJ beer blogger!
I’ll keep that in mind. I’m sure Peter from Simply Beer would enjoy the dickens out of it! 😉
While i’m not a beer nerd or (even?) a beer geek, this something like this always comes in handy this or any) time of year: The anti hangover pill.
http://www.tryru21.com/
A fine stocking stuffer, I think.
#1 item on THIS beer geek’s list is someone to offer free babysitting and a designated driver for the next beer event! 🙂
We Moms don’t have a chance to get out very often!!! 🙂 lol
Seriously Anne, that’s an awesome idea. As a fella with two little kids, I’d live the opportunity for my wife and I to get out and enjoy our love of beer outside of the house.
Unique glassware is a fine gift — the Sam Adams ‘Perfect Pint’ http://www.samueladams.com/enjoy-our-beer/tasting-eval/function-over-form.aspx and the Dogfish Head signature glass https://www.dogfish.com/store/beer-drinkin-goods/glassware/dogfish-head-signature-glass.htm are good choices — as long as the glassware matches the brew. Nothing spoils a nice witbier or a bold hoppy IPA than a boring glass that fails to enhance the aroma.
I haven’t tried the Sam Adams glass yet (I’d love to) but the Dogfish Head on is a good all-rounder. Definitely worth checking out.