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Food & Wine / Williams Sonoma
If you have a beer lover in your life, you’re likely on a perpetual hunt for the best beer gifts. Proper beer glassware, like specific glasses for stouts, IPAs, and wheat beer, is a great idea. So are beer subscription boxes or craft beer clubs that deliver noteworthy beers right to their doorstep every month. But if you’ve already exhausted those options, and are looking for a perfect gift for the beer fan in your life, you’ll need to get more creative.
With the help of Dane Volek, brewmaster at the iconic San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Company, we’ve put together the ultimate gift guide for beer lovers. From novelty socks to clever bottle openers, these beer gifts are sure to knock it out of the park for whatever occasion you’re celebrating.
Beer trends may come and go, but as your favorite craft beer drinker can probably tell you, IPA is forever. Fans of heavily hopped beers will go nuts for this highly giftable selection of sought-after IPAs. It includes 12 cans from breweries around the country (including Rogue and Cigar City Brewing), and every single one is highly rated. It’s also available in a 24-pack if you want to wow ‘em.
The Original Craft Beer Club has cracked the code on gift-giving for discerning beer fans: A subscription to their monthly beer club is a guaranteed win. You can customize your gift to include either 12 or 24 brews per month and keep the fun coming for two, three, six, or twelve months. Each shipment contains an assortment of beer varieties from breweries all over the country.
We’d like to shake the folks behind Scoops on Tap’s hands — they’ve brought together two of life’s greatest pleasures in pint-size treats. This set of four artisan ice creams is infused with craft beer, including Cookies & Cream Chocolate Stout and Salted Caramel Blonde. They’re shipped by the experts at Goldbelly, so you can be certain they will arrive cold and ready to crack open. Heads-up: This is not for the under-21 crowd!
Correct glassware is a must for the true beer connoisseur, and this set of pilsner glasses checks all the boxes. It’s made from super-clear, high-quality glass and includes four glasses specifically designed for optimal enjoyment of your favorite pilsners. This is a set that will elevate your giftee’s drinking experience, but they won’t have to baby it: All the glasses are dishwasher safe.
Don't get us wrong. Although traditional chocolate advent calendars and food advent calendars are great and all, this beer advent calendar from Give Them Beer lets your recipient tap into the spirit of the holiday season. This beer advent calendar promises 12 nights of anticipation, exploration, and (of course) really good beer, including ales, IPAs, and stouts.
Available to order now, Give Them Beer ships to most states within 1-2 business days. We recommend you crack into this gift for beer lovers now before the holiday countdown officially begins.
Designed to keep beer fresh for weeks, this uKeg from GrowlerWerks is made from double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel and has a special carbonation cap that automatically regulates pressure to optimally carbonate beer. If you're gifting someone who could use an updated growler for trips to their favorite local brewery, we guarantee they'll appreciate this high-tech pick. Choose between a copper or stainless steel finish, and add a monogram for a personalized extra touch.
What's a better gift for a suds lover than the gift of beer-infused suds? This gift set from Dr. Squatch includes five of the brand's most popular natural bar soaps, like Cedar Citrus, Spearmint Basil, and Grapefruit IPA, which is described by the brand as "a perfect brew of refreshing grapefruit and crisp, hoppy beer." This is a squeaky-clean new way for your recipient to enjoy their shower beer.
This is one of the most thoughtfully curated gift crates for craft beer lovers that you'll find online. This crate includes four premium cans of craft beer, plus jalapeño Monterey jack cheese, garlic sausage, teriyaki beef jerky, and gourmet water crackers. It's guaranteed to help your recipient kick back and relax this holiday season.
There’s something so satisfying about a cooking project that turns out better than the store-bought (or pub-bought!) stuff. We’re big fans of FarmSteady’s detailed tutorials, which even include instructional videos. Gift this one with a six-pack of beer — or maybe two — because the only thing that’s not included are the brews.
Wine and cheese get so much attention, but beer and cheese are a surprisingly perfect pairing. If the beer lover in your life has got the brews covered, treat them to a monthly delivery of hand-picked artisan cheeses. You can customize the subscription to include specialty crackers, and you can even choose what types of cheese to focus on or leave out. Like all of Cheese Grotto’s offerings, this arrives packaged beautifully.
Stanley may be best known for insulated water bottles, but they know a thing or two about drinking vessels for any kind of beverage. This handled stein is double-walled and can hold up to two cans of beer — it’ll keep ‘em cold for up to 5 hours. Choose from a variety of chic colors, and enjoy free shipping with Prime.
If you're on the hunt for the best beer gift for newlyweds or a couple who loves to enjoy a beer together, check out this matching set of beer glasses fit for royalty. This set includes one 16-ounce pint glass and one 12.5-ounce wine glass etched with crown designs, encased in a classy gift box. Pro tip: The stemmed wine glass doubles as a beer glass to enjoy sours or other specialty brews.
Grilling and beer. Beer and grilling. Have you ever encountered such a perfect pair? Volek suggests gifting grilling tools to your favorite beer drinker who already has all the actual beer stuff. P.S.: This set won the “Best Overall” pick in our review of the best BBQ tools.
Trust us: Not all beer can chicken infusers are created equally. While you can score a cheap metal infuser, this one is made from cast iron for better heat retention and even cooking. It’s large enough to hold the beer of your choice, as well as aromatics, like herbs, lemon, or alliums, to infuse a chicken with so much more than “just” beer.
Anchor Brewing is the oldest craft brewery in America, and it comes with a storied history. This book is engrossing — even for non-beer drinkers. Volek calls it “an incredible book” that “no serious beer geek can go without.” He may be biased, but we agree.
We’re branching out into the “beer adjacent” ideas for this one, and it’s worth the leap. By gifting a MasterClass subscription, your beer-loving pal will receive instant access to an entire library of classes on just about any topic they can imagine. But we’re focusing here on the BBQ (arguably one of beer’s BFFs). In this session, famed pitmaster Aaron Franklin teaches the nuances of Texas-style barbecue, including detailed tutorials on smoking brisket, ribs, and even veggies.
When it comes to frosty glasses, you can do better than that promotional glass pint glass currently kicking around in your freezer. This set of two from Rabbit is double-walled and made from borosilicate glass. Their bases are made from a chic black silicone sleeve that protects against condensation and keeps your fingers from turning frosty.
Although your favorite beer drinker probably has a few empty growlers in their basement, this chic upgrade will be the one they constantly use. It’s available in two finishes — stainless steel or a powder coat black — and can be personalized with either one or three letters, in a few different designs. It comes with a tight-sealing gasket top, so you could even fill it with your favorite beer upon gifting.
A wall-mounted bottle opener makes a statement (or at least a commitment). Volek says, “I find joy in comical wall-mounted bottle openers.” If your giftee has a similar sense of humor, this menacing grizzly bear will surely make them smile. As a note: If your giftee’s funny bone is tickled by rowdier-type jokes, there are plenty of saucy wall-mounted bottle openers to be found on Amazon, as well.
These embossed coasters look like a million bucks (they’ll instantly elevate any home bar, and look sharp on a coffee table), but they’re surprisingly affordable. Reviewers praise their etched design, large and sturdy size, and high-end aesthetics. They come in a set of six and can be purchased in black or rich brown coffee color.
A glorious gallon of homemade IPA for under $50? Seems too good to be true, but this beer-making kit from the prestigious Brooklyn Brewshop is the real deal. It comes with everything you need to brew your hoppy beer, including the hops themselves, grains, yeast, a fermenter, thermometer, and — of course! — the top secret tips for making complex, delicious beer.
Volek says snack food is an ideal pairing for beer, and we’re not going to argue with that. This attractively gift-wrapped box from Harry & David features the greatest salty and sweet hits of snacking: cheddar cheese, three-seed crackers, mixed nuts, Moose Munch popcorn, and smoked summer sausage. Let them choose their favorite beer; you’ve got the food pairing covered.
Are these the most original socks in the world? No; surely you’ve heard this joke before. But are they still funny? You bet. One sock reads, on the sole, “If you can read this,” and the other follows with, “Bring me some beer.” They’re cheeky, they’re cute, and (hooray!) they’re regularly on sale.
This one is for those lucky enough to have a home bar with beer taps: Customized tap handles! This Etsy seller is a pro, with thousands of 5-star reviews. Choose from real cherry or walnut wood, pick a graphic that speaks to you, and set a custom engravement. Or, skip all that and go for the chalkboard finish, so your giftee can switch it up whenever they change the kegs.
Volek is a big fan of yard games. While we’ll never say no to a round of Corn Hole, this Bocce set is a classy upgrade — and comes with a carrying case. May we suggest the following copy for the gift card? “Here, hold my beer.”
Why choose between brewing and baking? This cookie cutter is shaped like a bottle of beer, so your giftee can put those spent grains to good use (or just roll out a batch of basic sugar cookie dough!). It’s generously sized at 4.5 inches tall and has rolled edges on one side for comfort while stamping out cookies.
If your gift recipient isn’t drinking but still loves beer, you can’t do better than a mixed 12-pack from Athletic Brewing, one of the premier NA beer brewers. Choose the cans according to their preferences (Athletic makes a wide variety of beer styles, all non-alcoholic), and speedy Amazon Prime delivery will do the rest.
At over 600 pages, this tome written by a beer expert, is equal parts reference book and history. It’s a deep dive into all things beer, and with a gorgeous leather binding, it looks great when used as decor, too.
There’s no guessing about priorities with this lighthearted welcome mat! It’s patterned with the phrase “Beer gets you in the door,” and is made from durable and natural coconut coir fibers that capture dirt and dust. It’s lined with a PVC non-slip back for safe use outside or at mudroom doors. Psst: There are also wine-friendly versions if you’re shopping for multiple people.
Not everyone likes to be surprised. A subscription from Beer Drop allows your recipient to pick and choose not just their favorite styles of beers, but the specific bottles. Choose from one, two, three, six, or twelve months, and Beer Drop will do the rest. Also cool: Shipping costs are included in the price, and giftees can always skip or customize their monthly drops as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What food pairs best with beer for a gift?
“Naturally this will be swayed somewhat by the individual's beer preferences and the same goes for food,” says Anchor Brewing’s Volek. But he points out that beer pairs well with finger foods and things on the “snackier end of the spectrum.”
His ideas for a classed-up beer and food pairing gift are a tasting menu full of canned and jarred items like pickled vegetables, tinned seafood, cheese crisps, gourmet nuts, and adventurous sauces. He’s also a fan of charcuterie boards and recommends those, too — dietary choices permitting.
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How do I choose the right beer to gift?
When in doubt, think close to home. Says Volek, “If one is not sure of the exact beer preferences the gift receiver prefers, or even if they are, I would attempt to gift something produced locally to that individual.” That way, the giftee can easily get more of their new favorites and explore other brews. He adds, “Another angle is to gift a variety pack, which leaves room for exploration and adventure.”
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How can I gift a beer subscription?
It’s pretty easy to give a beer subscription as a gift. You can go through a subscription or monthly delivery service, like GiveThemBeer or Craft Beer Club. These companies will help you customize your gift, including varieties of beer and the length of the subscription. You’ll be billed each month for the delivery, although some subscription services allow you to prepay in full.
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Can you ship beer?
To ship beer in the United States, the seller must have a special license. Most breweries do, so you can order directly from them, or use a beer subscription service, like GiveThemBeer or Craft Beer Club. However, it is not legal to ship beer to all states — so make sure your gift recipient can receive mail-ordered beer before going that route.
More Food & Wine Gift Guides
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- The 30 Best Gifts Under $100, Including a Few of Our Tested Favorites
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- The 30 Best Gifts Under $50, Including a Few of Our Tested Favorites
Our Expertise
Rochelle Bilow is a food writer and editor with over a decade of professional experience. Previously a senior associate editor and social media manager at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines, Rochelle is also a novelist, a culinary school graduate, and a former professional baker and line cook. In researching this article, she spoke with a brewing expert at one of the oldest breweries in the country and thoroughly reviewed dozens of gifting websites for the best beer gifts.