Beer has been a part of human history for more than 7,000 years. The oldest data that proves people brewed beer dates back to 5,000 BC. Since then, people have continued to produce, consume, and enjoy it. There is a beer to suit everyone’s preferences, which shows how versatile it can be.
The fact that Australians consume 74.6 million litres of this drink annually just confirms how much we love it. We all have that one friend that’s a beer enthusiast and loves everything about it. So, when the time for gift giving comes, you know it’ll be something beer related. Here are some of our suggestions for next time:
Get Them Unique Beer Steins
One of the best gift ideas for your beer-loving friends is a beer stein. If you know where to look, you can find and buy unique vintage German beer steins of great value. They look gorgeous and take you back to another era just with their look. A beer stein is a typical German mug with a pewter lid. Most of them are made of glass or clay.
But you can also find steins made of wood, porcelain, stoneware, metal, or even crystal. These materials are glazed inside and out which provides a more hygienic drinking cup. The Bubonic plague, which ravaged Europe in the 1300s, was the reason for the addition of lids on the steins. Insects started to multiply in the millions and were drawn to the beer’s delicious aroma.
To stop the spread of disease, the government required that all drinking places cover their tableware with lids. The lid is added to the stein by melting it into the stoneware and creating a hinge and a thumb lift. This way you can use just one hand to drink. There are many different styles of steins nowadays, and they all have their own shape and size. The most common ones are:
- Bavarian;
- Traditional;
- Chalice;
- Barrel;
- Tavern;
- Potbelly;
- Hourglass;
- Lodge;
- Smokestack;
- Pilsner;
- Hofbrau.
All of these have a handle on them. This is a great feature because it allows for the beer to stay colder for a longer period. Because you’re not holding the glass with your hands, there’s no warmth from your body covering it. This, and the right combination of materials, will lead to the perfect glass of cold beer. You can also find steins in different sizes. Starting from 400ml up to 3l. In rare cases, you can even find a 5l or 10l one.
This makes a great gift for many reasons. First, you’ll know that your friend has a unique piece of history in their hands. Second, the vintage German beer steins are valuable pieces of drinkware that can vary in price. And third, you can make your friend a collector that starts a new passion in life.
Turn Them Into Beer Makers
A homebrewing kit combined with some beer mugs can be the best gift for beer lovers. The brewing process is fun and not very complicated. They’ll get a hang of it quickly and soon start producing amazing beers to share with you and their family. They’ll have a hobby of their own and a place where they can chill and spend a relaxing afternoon. They’ll even develop a greater appreciation for beer when they see how it’s made.
This kit is a great way for your friend to have their favourite drink at hand at any time. They can make as much as they want and never run out of it. Because the homebrewing community is getting larger by the day, they’re bound to meet new people with the same interests, make new friends and gain more experience. Plus, they’ll save a lot of money. They already got the kit from you, all they need is to get the ingredients. When you compare the prices of beers at the market and the ones that are homemade, you’ll see that the homemade is much cheaper.
When they’re surrounded by all of those buckets, instruments, measuring cups, pots and tubes, they’ll feel like a scientist trying to create the best potion in the world. And this is not far from the truth. They will be trying to do so and experiment on the way. They’ll get creative and develop some new skills. At the end of the day, they’ll feel proud of what they did and you’ll be invited to every beer party in the future.
How About Surprising Them with a Beer Hamper?
Hampers are becoming a more popular gift choice each day. They’re a great way to show your friend that you know their interests and that your gift is well thought through. You can find them in many shapes and sizes and with different ingredients inside. You can buy from the already assembled ones, and if you don’t like any of them you can create one on your own. Think about your friend’s favourite beers and snacks.
Do they like a dark ale, lager beer or pilsner? Fill the hamper with their favourites and add some food to complement the beer. You can go with nuts, crackers, pretzels, chips and dips and even some sausages. If this isn’t enough, you can incorporate vintage German beer steins that’ll give the hamper a special flare. You can also go for some bottle openers, a nice glass, a beer-related book or anything else you can imagine.
This is a gift they’ll use for a long period. They can enjoy the beers for a month, use the bottle opener in the future or learn something new from the books. They can even use the box for storage if they want. Most stores offer same-day delivery which can be very convenient if you accidentally forget about the occasion.
Help Them Keep the Can Cool
The amazing can coolers will be your best friend on those hot summer nights by the pool or at the park. No one wants to drink warm beer, so why let your friend do it? The double-walled, 18/8 stainless steel construction of can coolers creates a perfect vacuum between the walls. Although coolers are strengthened with steel to make them more resilient to dents and punctures, steel conducts heat energy since it is an alloy, that’s why the vacuum is here.
Choose the proper size so it can fit a beer can comfortable. If it’s too big or too small, your money will be wasted. Many of them fit 300ml and 500ml cans and bottles, only a few can fit a bigger or smaller size. The lid can be a twisted top or a rubber gasket, it all depends on your personal preferences. There are cans that prevent condensation so the hand doesn’t get slippery and wet. When you buy a can cooler, make sure it has this feature. Plus, it’ll be a bonus if the can has a non-slip base to keep the beer safe from spillage.
