Craft beer makes a great holiday gift. Don’t believe us? Ask around and see how many people would prefer a stocking stuffed with beer vs. one stuffed with candy canes, walnuts and either an orange or a stick of deodorant shoved in the toe. It’s probably, like, five-to-one. But how do you choose what kind of beer to get Aunt Dolores, Pop Pop, your brother-in-law who won’t shut up about Star Trek, or that cute guy in Accounting? There are dozens of styles and hundreds of choices. It can be overwhelming. But don’t head to the “what-the-hell-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-these-weird-nuts” aisle quite yet. We’ve put together some fun… and totally made-up… guidelines for giving the gift of beer:
FOR THOSE WHO GO WITH THE FLOW
Pilsner! Ahhhh… crisp refreshing flavor and easy to drink. It’s the most popular beer variety in the world, by the way. So if you’ve got someone in your life who loves a clean and classic taste (or reaaaaallllyyyyy wishes it was summer so they could crack open cold one under a starry sky), give ‘em a dangerously drinkable pilsner. Our suggestions:
Crux Pilsner
pFriem Family Brewers Pilsner
FOR THOSE WHO MARCH TO THEIR OWN BEAT
Go with an IPA. A hearty, hoppy IPA means business and is perfect for those who live for adventure and make every moment count. IPAs, like people, can be an acquired taste. Once you get to know a person, though, you often crave more of them. Got someone like this in your life? We suggest the following:
Sunriver Vicious Mosquito IPA
Deschutes Brewery’s Fresh Squeezed
FOR THOSE WITH A LITTLE OOMPH RUNNING THROUGH THEIR VEINS
Red Ale is where it’s at! Well-rounded with a touch of sweetness, reds are easy to drink and hard to define. We’re pretty sure you know a few people like this. Slightly tempestuous and the controller of the tunes on road trips, they’ll always be the first to have your back or offer you the last piece of pie. Our suggestions:
Klamath Basin Rebellion Red Ale
Wild Ride 3 Sisters Wet Hopped Red Ale
FOR THOSE WITH AN AURA OF MYSTERY
Choose a Porter. Notes of chocolate? Or is that coffee? Or both? Or ….? Porters keep people guessing. Perhaps you know someone with a few secrets. They may drive you crazy, but their complexity keeps life interesting. May we suggest:
Caldera Brewing Toasted Coconut Chocolate Porter
FOR THOSE WHO SWIM IN THE DEEP END
Hit their palate fast and furious with a Sour Ale. Trendy, delicious and exciting, Sours are perfect for those who let go of the railing a long time ago. So if Grandma Sue has a bit of a wild side, give her something completely unexpected, such as…
Trinity Brew’s Damn, It Feels Good to be a Gangsta’
Ale Apothecary’s La Tache
FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T AFRAID OF COLD WEATHER
Give ‘em Stout… lots and lots of Stout. Sturdy and strong, dark and deep, stout people are complex people. They can pack a punch and power through anything. Once you get to know them, you LOVE them. Our suggestions:
Base Camp S’more Stout
Crux Fermentation Project’s Tough Love
Epic Brewing’s Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout
FOR THOSE WHO DIG MOTHER EARTH
Give them an unforgettable Belgian ale. The distinctive, earthy taste is a balance of sweet and bitter and is often described as lush and a bit funky… just like your best friend. Belgians are perfect for nonconformists and those who appreciate complex flavors. Try these:
Mazama Brewing Saison D’Etre
Duvel Belgium Golden Ale
What beers should’ve made the list? (And which ones make you roll your eyes?) What would you want taking up all the space in your stocking?
In all seriousness, we know a thing or two about beer here at Newport Avenue Market. Stuff like:
- It’s impossible to label people as a certain “beer type” (because people are complex and amazing and don’t belong in tidy categories).
- Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder… what floats one person’s boat might completely sink another’s.
- Beer is still an awesome gift to both give and receive. If you really want to rock their world, give them a Bouquet of Beer. Handpick six individual bottles and present them in an awesome cardboard arrangement. We have everything you need at the store.
This holiday season, how about just taking a chance and buying a beer you think is interesting? Or is your favorite? Or has an awesome label? Or one you’ve never heard of? We have over 500 brews at your fingertips on our Brew Crew page. Pick one. Pick ten. Then wrap ‘em up and give as a gift with the promise that you’ll drink it together. Because nothing goes better with beer than good conversation. Happy holidays, friends!
