Spread Some Christmas Cheer With The Gift of Beer

If you grew up in a family that celebrates Christmas, it’s likely that there were a few small but memorable traditions that were part of the festivities each year. I still have fond memories of opening my stocking and finding a Life Savers Sweet Storybook, while my parents got lotto tickets that were always duds. And under the tree, along with as assortment of gifts ranging from awesome (yay, toys and candy!) to utilitarian (boo, socks and underwear!), there was usually a six-pack of my dad’s favourite beer.

This latter was a gag gift of sorts, with mom – uh, I mean Santa – bringing him some “real” presents as well. But it’s quite possible to give some serious beer or beer-related presents for Christmas, especially with the oodles of options that are available nowadays. So for those trying frantically to find a gift for the beer lover in your life, here are a few tips that will hopefully help out.

For the locavore:

If your friend is the sort who shops at farmers markets and lives by the 100-mile diet whenever possible, local beer is the way to go. And it’s hard to get more local than Steam Whistle, the brewery in the historic Roundhouse building just south of the CN Tower that’s known for their popular namesake pilsner. While a plain ol’ six-pack might be appreciated by some, a more stylish option is the Steam Whistle Gift Pack (LCBO 11692 - $29.95) containing a retro-style wall mount bottle opener along with two bottles of their crisp golden lager.

For a bit more variety, try the Mill Street Seasonal Sampler (LCBO 159277 - $12.75/6x341 mL), a sixer featuring a bottle each of Mill Street’s five regular brews (Organic Lager, Stock Ale, Tankhouse, Belgian Wit and Coffee Porter) along with Helles Bock, a strong German-style lager that’s normally available only at their brewpub in the Distillery District. Speaking of which, the brewpub has a retail outlet attached where a variety of Mill Street swag is available, including glassware, t-shirts, hats, as well as bottles and growlers (1.9 L jugs) of their various brands.

If their definition of local extends to include all of Ontario, the latest Ontario Craft Brewers Discovery Pack (LCBO 137067 - $14.95/6x473 mL) would be a good choice. As noted in my review a couple of weeks ago, this six-pack of cans includes brews from Trafalgar, Muskoka, Nickel Brook, Great Lakes, Wellington and Neustadt, giving a good sample of what the province’s craft breweries have to offer. If you’re more of a DIYer, you can also put together your own gift basket from the many Ontario beers available at the LCBO in single cans or bottles, including Denison’s Weissbier (LCBO 132480 - $2.60/473 mL), Amsterdam Nut Brown (LCBO 142331 - $2.50/473 mL), Hockley Stout (LCBO 68262 - $2.65/473 mL) and Scotch-Irish Black Irish Plain Porter (LCBO 32540 - $2.10/341 mL).

For the food lover:

For those who appreciate both good beer and great food, a celebratory dinner at beerbistro (18 King Street East) would undoubtedly be appreciated. Chef Brian Morin and his team are ranked amongst the best in North America when it comes to matching beer and food, as well as using beer as an ingredient in many dishes. And if you’re feeling especially generous, you can always splurge on a bottle or two from the special cellar list, which features some of the rarest – and priciest – beers in town.

For something slightly less expensive, consider a night out at Volo (587 Yonge Street), The Monk’s Table (1276 Yonge Street) or The Queen & Beaver (35 Elm Street). Or if cheap and casual is more their speed, try C’est What (67 Front Street East), The Rebel House (1068 Yonge Street) or Smokeless Joe (125 John Street).

For the whisky aficionado:

Considering that they start with the same raw ingredients – i.e. water and malted barley – it makes sense that a lot of beer fans are also appreciators of whisky. So why not bring their two favourites together in one package, and pick up the Innis & Gunn Connoisseur’s Collection (LCBO 131789 - $14.95/3x330 mL). This gift pack contains bottles of three distinct oak-aged brews from the Scottish brewery, including Limited Edition Rum Cask, Limited Edition IPA, and Innis & Gunn Original, along with a lovely branded glass.

The year-round success of Innis & Gunn Original has inspired the LCBO to look for other barrel-aged beers to stock, and two from Scotland’s Harviestoun Brewery are available now in limited quantities as part of the Winter Warmers beer promotion. Part of the series called Ola Dubh (Black Oil), the beers are a collaboration between Harviestoun and distillery Highland Park, and feature an Imperial Stout based on Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil strong ale, matured in casks that previously held Highland Park whisky of various ages. The LCBO has brought in the 12 Year Old (LCBO 107672 - $5.45/330 mL) and the 40 Year Old (LCBO 143610 - $18.40/330 mL), with the latter being both the most expensive and the most limited beer ever stocked by the agency, with only 360 bottles imported for the entire system.

For the Belgophile:

It’s no secret that some of the best beers in the world come from Belgium, with those from the half-dozen Trappist monastery breweries in the country being the most revered. The largest of the six is Chimay, and while their Red and White are available here year-round, it’s rare to get the dark and fruity Blue, so the Chimay Gift Pack (LCBO 560383 - $14.95/3x330 mL) with a bottle of each and a glass is a nice treat.

While not Trappist monasteries, the monks at Affligem and Maredsous both produce beers in a similar style, making the Affligem Mixed Pack (LCBO 682906 - $15.95/4x330 mL) and Maredsous Gift Box (LCBO 925818 - $15.95/3x330 mL), each containing three Abbey-style ales and a branded glass, very worthwhile purchases. And for something that the recipient might be inclined to share, try the Duvel Gift Pack (LCBO 395848 - $10.95/750 mL), which features a 750 ml bottle of the legendary golden ale along with a striking glass.

For the reader:

While I haven’t yet had a chance to read either of them myself, the numerous glowing reviews for Cheers!: An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada by Nicholas Pashley and Hops and Glory: One Man's Search for the Beer That Built the British Empire by Pete Brown, as well as my enjoyment of previous books by both authors, mean that I can recommend both of them without hesitation. If I had to choose one, I’d be inclined to go with Cheers!, if only because Mr. Pashley lives in Toronto, and if the recipient happens to bring the book along to his or her favourite local pub to read while enjoying a pint, the odds are high that the author himself might be on hand.

And as a regular contributor, I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest a gift subscription to TAPS Magazine, Canada’s only national publication devoted exclusively to beer. Aside from overlong and rambling articles on beer styles by yours truly, the quarterly magazine features coverage of the beer and brewing scene from coast to coast, including brewery profiles, beer reviews, news on events and new beer releases, and a whole lot more. I may be a bit biased, but I really think that it’s an indispensable resource for anyone interested in craft beer in Canada.

Hopefully, this admittedly incomplete list of ideas will be helpful for those last minute gift runs. And don’t forget that while it may be better to give than to receive, there’s nothing wrong with the old “one for you, one for me” rule, so feel free to double up on any of the above and give yourself a bit of Christmas joy as well.