Hoosier Beer Geek's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide (Part 5)

If you're anything like me, you'd rather just avoid this whole gift business altogether. But somewhere along the way we've all got to behave like adults - and there's nothing more adult than turning your holiday shopping into an excuse to drink.

You're not going to find beer at the mall, are you?

Your first stop should be at Upland's new tasting room, where you can try a beer or two and pick up an Upland T-shirt (prices range from $12 to $17), a pint glass ($5), or keychain bottle opener ($1) for someone else. Of course you'll want to pick up a bomber for yourself while you're in there ($12 new, $8 refills for most beers).

Perhaps you've now realized that it's winter out there, and that a t-shirt is a nice start, but a sweatshirt might be a better idea. Luckily, Sun King Brewing has both - Sun King's vast selection of T-shirts run from $15 to $20, and sweatshirts are $30. They've even got a selection of hats - both summer baseball style and winter sledding style ($15). Keep in mind that these clothing items aren't just great holiday gifts - they also double as "I'm Sun King Brewer and Vice President Clay Robinson" Halloween costumes. All you'll need is one of those strap-on beards.

Of course there's more than just clothing at Sun King's tasting room - there's also beer. Gift the gift of a 64 oz. Growler filled with one of their house beers for $10.50, or just $9.00 on Fridays. Or check out one of their newer 32 oz. growlers for just $9.00 or 8.50 on Friday (special release prices may vary). And don't forget a pint glass ($5) or four ($17.50) while you're in there - it makes for a nice little gift set. Combine with a Sun King poster - ask for the hand numbered and artist autographed HBG3 poster, which is quite lovely (not sure what they're charging, but at any price it's a steal) - for the ultimate gift for the Sun King superfan in your life.

Oh, and don't forget to sample a few while you're in there.

After all that hard work, you're probably going to be hungry. Stop in at Scotty's Brewhouse downtown for a bit to eat, and to pick up a gift card for that special someone. Scotty has gift cards available in denominations of $5, $10, $25, $50, and $100 - and if you spend $100, you'll get another $25 free.

And don't forget to have a beer for me while you're in there.

Phew! All that shopping was hard work. You'll probably want your driver to bring you home now so you can revel in the knowledge that you've completed another successful holiday shopping trip. Did you forget anyone? If you've enjoyed yourself (and chances are you have) you probably did. Luckily you've still got the internet.

First off, you can pick up an Upland (Bloomington location) Gift Card, where you'll get $20 in food and beer for the low price of $17. You might just pick that up for yourself - it's just a good deal.

And while you're on the Upland kick, Upland bike jerseys at also available online in a variety of styles ($60 each or two for $100) - Blue Upland logo, Bad Elmer, Helios, and Dragon Fly IPA. Everybody likes bike jerseys, just visit a beer festival sometime. There's also a few folks wearing the Arrogant Bastard jersey. In fact, by clicking on that link you'll find quite a few more bike beer jerseys, all available for quick shipping (I'm assuming) or pick up locally at Circle City Bicycles on the south side of Indianapolis.

Of course if you're gonna make that trip, wait until you've sobered up. Nobody likes a drunk Santa.

Hoosier Beer Geek's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide (Part 4)

If you are still looking for that perfect gift for the beer lover in your life, you're in luck! We've got a few more gift ideas that should please anyone's palate.

Growlers/Glasswear - A great gift for a holiday party host would be a growler with a pair of glasses. You get to share the beer and your host gets a nice gift.


Magazine Subscriptions/Memberships - There are some great magazines about beer out there! Some have been around for 30 years and some are brand new. There are magazines for all levels of beer enthusiasts. Here are a few:

All About Beer
Beer Connoisseur
Draft
Imbibe
Beer

If the recipient of your gift is thinking about brewing their own beer or has already done so, perhaps a membership to the American Homebrewers Association would be appropriate. The AHA offers a variety of membership levels as well as some cool merchandise.

Festival Tickets - Close to home, the 2010 Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest is happening on January 30. Tickets for your favorite beer fan would surely win you some brownie points!

If you are looking for a festival further away, the next one will be the World Beer Cup in Columbia, South Carolina. This takes place on January 16,2010.

Beer MBA class - Ron Smith has been offering a Masters of Beer Appreciation (MBA) class for some time now. The next group of classes will be held after the beginning of the year. This would be a great gift for anyone looking to expand their beer knowledge.

Have a great holiday!

Hoosier Beer Geek's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide (Part 3)

I know a thing or two about gift giving. I share a lot in common with a famous gift giver...cheeks like roses...round belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly...and covered in fur. So I'm going to share with you a couple of tips when giving beer as a gift.

Give bombers, not six packs. Six packs are great to take as a gift to summertime cookouts, but it lacks a certain amount of class for yuletide festivities. How do you wrap a six pack? With bombers, you can use a wine gift bag and you're all set. Also, bombers are best when shared. And unless you are a drunk like me, are rarely consumed all by your lonesome. They say it is better to give than receive. I say it is better to give, and then receive! Bombers are good for the recipient and good for the giver!

Go big or stay home. It's winter, which means winter beers. Look for beers that are seasonal or will age well (which honestly, winter beers tend to age better, don't they?). So choose a high ABV beer, like an imperial, a barley wine, or a big Belgian. While you are at it, take several and open them at your holiday party. I bring big beers to my family gatherings. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a toasted family!

Keeping those tips in my, I would suggest you consider beers from Mikkeller. We reviewed a large lineup of Mikkeller beers last year, and they have several beers that would work well as gifts...Black, Big Worse, and (not surprising) Santa's Little Helper. Those and others meet my beer gift criteria.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. And I have one more suggestion with beer gift giving that doesn't follow the rules I set forth. Whether you holidays find you traveling or staying at home with friends and family, giving beer from your favorite local brewery is always a good idea. It is a way of showing pride in your hometown and homestate and to spread the word that Indiana is producing great craft beer. Follow my advice and everybody will be saying "Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!"

Hoosier Beer Geek's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide Extravaganza (Part 2)

When I told Mike I would contribute some ideas for Chanukah gifts to our holiday beer gift guide, he wondered whether anybody made a menorah-shaped beer flight holder. A quick search failed to turn up anyone who makes such a wonderful piece of tableware (though for what it's worth, we did find this).

Because Chanukah is an eight-night celebration, I thought the best thing I could do was to suggest to you eight kosher beers for eight crazy nights. These beers really are certified kosher, and they are all available in Indiana. The list is heavy on Shmaltz Brewing Company beers, but what do you expect if you're looking for good-quality kosher beer? I also listed more than one option for several nights just in case you like more variety.

So, as we light more candles and stuff ourselves to the gills with latkes and sufganiyot, we progress from sessionable beers to big beers:

Night 1: Brooklyn Lager or Coney Island Lager (take your pick)
Night 2: Coopers Sparkling Ale or New Belgium Mothership Wit (take your pick)
Night 3: New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale
Night 4: He'Brew Genesis Ale or Coney Island Sword Swallower (take your pick)
Night 5: Samuel Adams Cream Stout or Coopers Best Extra Stout (take your pick)
Night 6: He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A.
Night 7: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Night 8: He'Brew Jewbelation Bar Mitzvah (13)

Chanukah sameach, and l'chaim!

Hoosier Beer Geek's Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide Extravaganza

Well, the jolly fat man will soon be upon us, so how about some beer centric Christmas presents under the tree? If your family is anything like mine you will need a few of those beers before the day is over.

I've asked for beers for about the last five years in a row. I normally ask for beers that I usually don't pull the trigger on because of price. My favorites are usually the more expensive Belgian-style beers, or the English barleywines that are not very easy on the wallet. It isn't really all that expensive; I'm just cheap.

This month's issue of All About Beer has a good article on beer gift packs that usually include several beers and a nice piece of glassware to go with them. I am glad to see more things like that coming to the market since I've seen it for years in the spirits market. I particularly like the Samuel Smith's gift box that has one of their harder to find 18.7 oz glass included in them as well.

I've also really enjoyed my Sierra Nevada pint glasses that I got for Christmas last year. They have some great stuff at really good prices on their website.

If you have a homebrewer to buy for this year, I know that Great Fermentations offers gift cards that are great gifts to buy for a hard hobby to buy for unless they tell you specifically what they want.

Over the next week we'll be highlighting some of our recommendations for gifts for our fellow beer drinkers - some which you can find and buy on the internet (if you act fast), and some you can buy locally (and last minute). Stay tuned.