The holiday season is in full swing, and if you're looking to find a gift for someone on your list who has a taste for all things brewed, we've got you covered.
Below, you'll find our list of gifts for the beer lover who has everything, from unique drinking vessels to the beginnings of a do-it-yourself hobby. When they open the gifts, just try not to gloat.
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This is the home-sized version of Dogfish Head's Randall the Enamel Animal, a draft line add-on that allows bars to augment a beer with a variety of whole-leaf hops, herbs, spices, or anything they can think of, right at the point of pour. The Randall Jr. is a beer infuser like no other, with double-walled insulation to keep beer cold and BPA-free plastic so you don't have to worry about any toxic leeching. The big-boy Randall has been in the beer server's arsenal since 2002, so it's about time there's something for the little man.
- American Homebrewer's Association Membership (and free book!), $38
Maybe you know someone who's dabbled in Mr. Beer or has shown interest in going into the next step beyond just drinking beer. Why not make him a card-carrying member of the American Homebrewer's Association? For $38, he'll receive access to the members-only sections of the AHA website, stocked with archived lectures, forums, and a bimonthly magazine, Zymurgy. He'll also be able to use his card for discounts at participating homebrew shops, breweries, and brewpubs. Not only will he get the yearlong membership, but this year, the AHA is including a choice of an awesome brewing book with that membership. Give the gift of John Palmer's How to Brew, Randy Mosher's Radical Brewing, or Jamil Zainasheff and Chris White's Yeast. These authors are at the forefront of brewing techniques and recipes, and these are amazing additions to any beer enthusiast's home.
- Handmade Stoneware Clay Beer Stein, $34
Who doesn't enjoy drinking a cold beer out of a massive stone stein? This Renaissance Faire-esque mug holds about 30 ounces and is microwave- and dishwasher-safe: a luxury we modern folk need to have. Each mug is individually crafted on the wheel of potter Stephanie Theado's Bovina, New York, studio. The unique detailing of the glaze is achieved through soda firing, where soda ash is introduced into the hot kiln. The powder vaporizes and is carried by the heat currents, creating a beautiful, organically stippled finish. These are one-of-a-kind and the perfect vessel to hold delicious handmade craft beer.
- Wynwood Brewery Glasses, $5 to $6
After its grand opening December 4, Wynwood Brewing is the newest South Florida brewery to get off the ground and into the world of craft beer. Based in the growing arts district of Miami, brewer Nik Mebane and founder Luis G. Brignoni aim to create a work of art in every glass. So celebrate art this winter with glasses from the newest kid on the block. With their sleek and modern Miami styling, these WBco glasses are a surefire, and frankly inexpensive, hit.
- Charbay R5 Hop Flavored Whiskey, $79
This craft-produced whiskey is distilled from California's Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA, an already amazing West Coast American IPA. R5 is distilled from 6,000 gallons for ten days straight in high-quality pot stills to create just 590 gallons of whiskey. It is then aged in French oak for 29 months, producing a 99 proof whiskey with enough hoppy tang and creamy oak goodness to send any beer drinker into the dark side of spirits.
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