Beer
Buying beer as a gift used to mean picking up a six pack on the way. If you think beer geeks deserve better than that, you're likely thinking the person buying beer gifts for them does too. We built this collection because beer is one of the most interesting, versatile and genuinely giftable areas around, and gift sites tend to cover it as an afterthought.
We built it for one sort of person. Not the kind of person who'll drink whatever beer is put in front of them, but the person who'll get excited about that brewery they visited last month. Who hoards bottles they liked the label of. Who cares about what hops are used and means it. That person is easy to buy for if you know what you're doing. Sadly most people don't. So they get some olive oil or a scented candle and let the opportunity slip by.
We only included things on this list that we feel deserve to be here. Craft beer subscriptions that rotate through a wide range of interesting independent breweries, instead of re-cycling big names with fancy packaging. Thoughtful tasting sets built around an actual theme; a single hop variety, a regional style, a showcase comparing old world to new. Glassware, because it matters more than you think and the right set is something a beer lover will reach for everyday.
Plus, we gave some thought to the people who want to take things one step further. All brewing your own is surprisingly achievable at home these days, not something that takes over your kitchen for a month - and the kits we've listed reflect that. Books written by people who love what they're doing, not ones filled with regurgitated facts every hobby blogger knows. And occasions. Birthdays aren't apologies. Thank you gifts aren't just for parties. Once you start paying attention, different occassions call for different ideas.
That's the long version. Here's the short: Beer is serious shit and we take it seriously.
