1 of 12

Write now Article Tools

As a real ale enthusiast, my friends and family invariably present me with beer related gifts on birthdays and at Christmas. I have a drawer full of tee shirts, cuff links, wallets and tankards which I am never likely to use.

If you are thinking of a gift for a beer buff, try to be original. We beer drinkers are a conservative bunch and tend to be loyal to our favourite brewers very much as football fans are to their teams. It is therefore not a good idea to parcel up a few bottles of beers with funny names in the hope they will be appreciated.

Let me tell you about my favourite gifts in the hope it will help you in your search.

I am a Shepherd Neame fan and an avid drinker of Spitfire Bitter. One of me friends found me an official 'Shep' bottle opener emblazoned with a Spitfire logo. Strange present I thought, until I used it, and it made the authentic sound of A WW11 Spitfire plane complete with it's machine gun firing! Wicked!

Whilst I get a bit bored with being given gift packs of all the 'Shep' beers, I was given on one occasion a 'Shep' Finger Selection! Bishops Finger is a classic Kentish ale, and my present comprised a lined hamper with 2 bottles of Finger, Bishops Fruit Chutney. Bishops Finger soap and shampoo! It also contained a bottle opener and yet another glass tankard!

But best of all was a Brewery Beer and Food Evening for two. We were taken to the Brewery where we joined several other lucky folk for an evening tour of the plant. We then sat down for a fabulous 4 course dinner at which each course was accompanied by a different beer. Interesting facts about each of the beers where given to us, and at the end of the meal we were given a presentation by a Master Brewer about his job.That was followed by a Beer Quiz and then we were sent home with a sample pack of each of their beers!

As far as I am aware this type of gift is available from most of the UK's regional brewers. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Learn more about this author, Keith Hillman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Great gift ideas for beer connoisseurs?
We want to hear your view. Write now!