Best Beer Gift Ideas for 2017
November is here. ’Tis the season for zealous commercialism and abundant consumption of cookies, turkey and alcoholic beverages. Wondering what to get for that special someone? A beer-themed gift will always be sure to please. But watch out for those gimmicks and knockoffs. To help, I have picked out a nice selection of affordable gifts related to beer to add to your shopping list.
YETI Rambler Colster ($25)
When I think of Yeti, my brain automatically pictures the abominable white, hairy, Bigfoot-like beast from the Arctic Circle. But nowadays, you can’t go near a marina without seeing YETI coolers and paraphernalia all over the place. It is probably the most popular brand in insulated storage since Thermos. Whether it actually is superior to other brands, or they simply love the name, diehard cooler fans swear by this brand. This summer I started to see people all over the place using YETI brand koozies for their outdoor drinking needs. Durable and stainless steel, the Rambler Colster fits any standard size 12-ounce beer can or bottle and uses no-sweat technology to make sure your hands stay dry while your drink stays cold or hot. I tried it out for myself this summer, and it worked pretty well in the hot summer sun. Though, I usually finish my beer before it has a chance to get warm anyway.
Drink Tank Growler ($115, 128-ounce size)
Love local beers but hate that you can’t get many of them at the liquor store? Sick of feeling like you have to drink an entire growler of beer in one night because it will go flat in the fridge by the next day? Then you are in luck! The Drink Tank Growler is a vacuum-insulated canteen/growler that holds 128 ounces of beer, cold and carbonated, for 24-plus hrs. Additionally, it comes with a special keg cap that allows you to use mini CO2 canisters to force-carbonate your beer, turning the tank into a personalized keg on the go. This is a must-have for any outdoorsman who enjoys having a little craft beer with his nature.
Beer Can Chicken/Turkey Cooking Rack ($12-25)
I had never roasted a turkey until I moved away from home. But after diving into “The Joy of Cooking,” reading some recipes online, and watching the “Emeril” show, I was able to kick it up a notch and produce a pretty darn good Thanksgiving bird. Since then, I have taken over the important job of fixing the turkey each year for our holiday celebration. You’ve probably heard of turducken, and most likely tried a deep-fried turkey, but perhaps an even easier turkey-roasting gimmick exists that is much more flavorful. The beer-can turkey is a simple concept: Stick an open beer can up the bird’s center cavity and roast. The beer heats up and steams into the meat, imparting a tasty beer flavor while keeping the bird moist and delicious. To do this properly, it is imperative to keep the beer can tilted upright, and this is much easier and care-free with a special rack. Various styles and shapes of racks exist and most of them are stainless steel and dishwasher safe. Want a way to add some flavor to your holiday? Well, look no further than a beer-can turkey rack.
Local Brewery Tour ($30 to $40 per person)
Some people are just too difficult to buy a present for. That is where an experience gift is the perfect idea! With more than a half-dozen breweries in the local area, as well as wineries and distilleries, the most recent boom in county tourism has to be in brewery tours. Various transportation companies offer tour bus services to bring you to all the crafty spots for a pretty reasonable price. Just Google it to find one. The beauty of this present is that if you go along for the ride, it’s also like getting yourself a present, and the memories you’ll make with whomever you take will be priceless!
Cellphone Case with Built-In Bottle Opener ($20-30)
You never know when you might need to open a bottle of beer. How many times has someone handed you an ice-cold beer, only to realize that there is not a bottle opener in sight? Sure, all of your friends will want to show off: one uses a lighter; one smacks it on table, damaging the wood forever; and that one special friend uses his teeth like a drunken parrot. A few years ago, I stumbled across a cellphone case with a built-in bottle opener on the back. I immediately put my phone in it, and since then I’ve been the one with the party trick. I can’t tell you how many times that thing has come in handy, and still people are amazed every time I bust it out! When it comes to giving one as a gift, avoid the cheapies and go with the $20-plus brands. Sturdiness is everything when it comes to a nice case, and you don’t want to bend and break your $700 cellphone over a beer. Headcase and Toddy Gear are good brands. There are even cases out there now with cigarette lighters as part of the case, but beware of catching on fire or getting booted off a plane if you decide to go that route.
VOMLITE Beer Chiller Sticks ($15 for two-pack)
These sleek little devices are the modern version of your granddaddy’s frosted beer mug. If you are a fan of super-cold beer, then pop one of these in the freezer for 45 minutes and then slide it into your beer bottle. The metal rod super-chills the beer and keeps it cold to the last drop. The specialized top fits right on the lip of the bottle with holes that allow you to drink at the same time. James Bond probably would have used one of these if he was a beer drinker, and you might seem like the most interesting man in the room if you do the same.
