Shopping for the craft beer lover on your list – 2013 Edition

Here we go again, another holiday shopping season, another list of people to buy gifts for and I’m sure one of them is a craft beer lover. Whether you’re a black Friday or cyber Monday shopper I’ve got a few suggestions that’ll make shopping this year a whole lot easier.

First off, apparel, how about a new Tee shirt? I recently received a sample from Brewershirts.com. I really liked what they sent me, soft cotton Tee has that already broken in feel, the screen printing is high quality, I’ve worn and washed mine a few times and it’s holding up great. I got a Tee with a lobster popping open a beer with its claw but they have a bunch of cool designs on their site including some for the homebrewer out there.

Tee

Glassware, a couple of my favorite glasses have come from craftgeer.com, they offer a snifter, nonic pint, Mason jar and a goblet, all of which feature their hops and crossbones logo. Craft Geer also offers Tee’s, hoodies, polo’s and hats.

Glass

For the reader on your list I’d suggest Josh Christies, Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland. I reviewed this book earlier in the year, it’s packed with history and interesting information about Maine’s breweries past and present.

MaineBeer

Stocking stuffers are probably the hardest thing, there are cozies and bottle openers but we get those every year, how about a bar of hops soap. Sadie’s the Lady hops soap is produced in Aroostook County at Aroostook Hops, it’s a local product made by local people with Maine grown hops. Check out my review from earlier in the year.

Bar

For the homebrewer, an ingredients kit from Central Street Farmhouse in Bangor, they have a great selection of styles and I’m sure you’ll find something that your recipient will love, but why pick off the shelf? Personalize this gift by chatting with one of the employees and let them help you create a custom ingredients kit, then all you have to do pick a clever name that makes it a unique gift for that special person.

kits

Stop in at a local brewery and check out what’s available there, I was recently in Black Bear Microbrewery’s new tasting room and saw their display case full of brewery gear. Rising Tide Brewing Company on Fox Street in Portland offers up a holiday gift pack with two of their beers and a pint glass all boxed up and ready to wrap or maybe just slap a bow on it and call it good. Then there’s the obvious, a growler of beer.

photoCA5P7A3C

Photo Courtesy of Rising Tide Brewing Company

For the person who has it all, how about a Beercation? Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland offers a brewing vacation. This getaway includes two nights in a hotel, welcome reception and dinner, two lunches, the chance to brew with a professional brewer and a behind the scenes tour of the Shipyard Brewing Company.

If you need a few more idea’s you can check out last year’s shopping post. Good Luck and happy shopping.

Chaddah

Chad Lothian

About Chad Lothian

Chad Lothian lives in Old Town, Maine. He is a craft beer enthusiast and homebrewer. Chad has travelled to brewpubs, breweries and brewfests all over New England.