What do you give to the beer lover at Christmas? Beer. Or things related to beer, of course. Already, some of you will be working your way through your craft beer advent calendars.
But, with the festive season upon us, here's a roundup of some of the beery gifts on offer from local breweries and beer businesses for those still wondering what to place under the tree (or down their throats) come December 25.
Red Hill Brewery
They've been brewing a Christmas Ale longer than most Australians were aware there was such a thing, with this year's release the Mornington Peninsula Brewery's 11th vintage. Bottles and six-packs are out where you'd usually find Red Hill beers.
And if you head to their brewery before Christmas (make sure they're open first), they've got special mixed sixes on offer and a very limited number of handcrafted timber boxes containing the #10redbeers they released over the past year to mark a decade of brewing.
Modus Operandi Brewing Co
Mona Vale's finest have put together some mixed packs for the festive season too. You'll find four-packs containing 500ml cans of their Session IPA, Pale Ale, Sonic Prayer IPA and Former Tenant Red IPA at the brewery and crafty bottleshops in December only with an RRP of $35.
Hop Nation
The Footscray brewery is offering festive triple packs of its CANimals for $45. Choose which three beers you'd like and they'll fill them for you there and then.
Bridge Road Brewers
The Beechworth brewery doesn't tend to need a reason to release something a little schmancy so, unsurprisingly, there's plenty to pick from. Their advent calendars are already being devoured across the country, but you can still get your hands on new Beer 101 and IPA Packs, while you can get hold of gift cards direct from the brewery too.
Prancing Pony
With a new brewery and title of Supreme Champion Beer for their India Red Ale to keep them company this Christmas, Prancing Pony has put together a few mixed packs:
- Summer Pack ($30) – A mixed six-pack in a waterproof neoprene 6 pack cooler pack with a pocket for your glasses and phone.
- Xmas Three-pack ($25) – A pack of 3 x 500ml India Red, complete with gift card.
- Mixed Pleasure ($26) – A mix of lagers and ales in an attractive six-pack carry bag with bottle opener.
- Weizen Boss ($22) - A pack of 3 x 500ml Hefe Weizen, complete with gift card.
All packs are available from the brewshed and selective retail outlets in SA.
Hops to Home
The online retailer specialising in CANimals of fresh craft beer is running a Christmas special. You can gift a mate three months of their CANimal of Fresh Can Packs. Details here.
Burleigh Brewing
Do some summer beer shopping at Burleigh Brewing and get a gift for yourself – with every new growler + fill combo purchased in December you walk away with a Burleigh Brewing T-Shirt.
The Scratch
If you've a buddy that just loves The Scratch, then you can pick up a Gift Certificate, which is "redeemable for anything money can buy" at the Milton bar.
Red Duck
They've got mixed packs available with free freight if ordered before December 9. They are Brewdolph the Red Nose Reindeer, featuring two bottles of each of White Garden, Duck Punt Saison, Munich Lager, Bandicoot Hoppy Pale Ale, Neck*er and City of Umber, and The 12 Days of Quacking mixed 12. Email the brewery for more.
Basement Brewhouse
The new 30-tap venue at Bankstown Sports has a range of merch, including growlers ($10), t-shirts, caps and stubbie holders.
Hawthorn Brewing
Another brewing company inviting you to get to know them thoroughly is Hawthorn. They've released Discovery Packs containing their five core beers plus recent seasonal New World Lager.
The Great Australian Beer Guide
If you've not already, why not pick up a copy of The Great Australian Beer Guide by The Crafty Pint's founder? The first run sold out in less than a month but fresh copies were back in stock well in time for Christmas.
Become a Crafty Supporter
A year ago, we launched The Crafty Cabal, our beer lovers bonus scheme that allows readers to support The Crafty Pint and help us grow in return for heaps of benefits: exclusive events, free beer and merch at great breweries and venues across the country, thousands of dollars worth of festival tickets and more.
We rounded up the highlights from year one here if you want to know more. And, to give you an idea, just at the businesses above who told us about their Christmas specials, Cabal members can access the following:
Crafty Cabal Member offer at Red Hill Brewery: 2-FOR-1 Pints! Crafty Cabal Member offer at Bridge Road Brewers: FREE Pint! Crafty Cabal Member offer at Modus Beer: Free CANimal* with purchase of a tasting paddle Crafty Cabal Member offer at Prancing Pony Brewery: 2-FOR-1 Tasting Paddles! Crafty Cabal Member offer at The Scratch: 2-FOR-1 Beers! Crafty Cabal Member offer at Hops To Home: Save $10 On Packs From Hops To Home Crafty Cabal Member offer at Wayward Brewing Co: FREE Middy!
Jumping The Shark Triple Packs at Wine Republic
If you like you beers big (really big), rare and aged then the three Wine Republic stores have you covered for Christmas. They're offering triple packs featuring the three Moon Dog Jumping The Shark releases to date. First in, best dressed!
Hargreaves Hill I Got Your Beer Mixed Packs
Hargreaves Hill has got a new designer working on their look (we know 'cos she's working with us too) and a couple of Jessie's first offerings are this I Got You Beer pack and the newly bottled Zenith IPA inside. A good way to get to know the brewery or just to have six tasty beers in your fridge.
Wayward Christmas Gift Packs
As well as throwing a few parties at their Camperdown home, Wayward Brewing Company has put together some packs for beer lovers, featuring a four-pack of beer plus two Wayward tulip beer glasses and one men's or women's Wayward t-shirt for $60.
If you've got something you'd like to add to this list, hit us up.
