Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
TagsBY JOHN HOLL
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Trying to find the perfect gift for the craft beer lover in your family? There are several alternatives to giving just beer. We've compiled a few gift ideas that are sure to please even the most serious beer drinkers.
A Perfect Fit
Show off your pride in good beer by wearing it on your chest. CraftBeerClothing.com has three t-shirt designs targeting craft beer lovers. Jonathon Lenard and Gavin Guest said they started the Web site because there were very few t-shirt designs that captured the true spirit of the craft beer movement.
"There are plenty of beer shirts available out there, but they focus on getting hammered, drunk, or on sexual statements, we wanted to do something different and more positive," said Guest.
There are three designs to choose from and the shirts are $14.95 each and can be purchased online through the website. Use the code "beerme" at checkout for 10 percent off your order.Notes Worth Taking
Perhaps your favorite beer drinker approaches each new pint as a scientific discovery. For those people there is the beer journal.
The book describes in great detail all types of beer and what the drinker should be looking for with regard to aroma, color, mouth feel and taste. There are pages where the drinker can take detailed notes on different beers sampled.
This is a gift that drinkers will return to over and over again.
Chris Wright said he created the beer journal for those "who enjoy and appreciate craft Beer take that love to another level. Any time you study a particular subject it is imperative that you take notes, experiencing craft Beer is no different. It is scrap booking for Beer lovers."
The book comes in three different bindings – spiral, perfect binding and hardcover case wrap. It's available for purchase from most Internet book retailers or here for $18.95 or $24.95 depending on the spine.
At The Movies
For the visual type and those interested in modern brewing history, there is the Beer Wars Movie. The director describes it as a modern day David vs. Goliath where smaller brewing companies are fighting for part of the market against larger brewing companies like Molson Coors.
The documentary had a very limited release in theaters earlier this year and is now available on DVD. Director Anat Baron goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominates one of America's favorite industries.
It retails for $19.95 and can be purchased here.
In-Depth Reading
There are entire publications devoted to the love of beer. One of the newer but more promising titles on the shelves is The Beer Connoisseur Magazine.
The first issue of the magazine hits newsstands this month and according to its editors, it will be the "expert authority on beer for both the novice and the connoisseur."
With articles on premium beers and those who brew them, as well as the best in dining, cooking, travel, personalities, culture and more, The Beer Connoisseur magazine is poised to become a must read for serious beer drinkers.
Subscription information may be found here.
The Simple Gift of Beer
And after all the reading, writing and watching about beer, your favorite suds drinker will likely be thirsty. So, why not just give the gift of beer itself?
Around this time of year most breweries put out special holiday packages that can include extra items like glassware, clothing and even Christmas ornaments to adorn the tree.
Check your local beer shop for ideas.
John Holl writes about craft beer and the culture of drinking. He maybe reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
