Nota bene: All products in this article are independently selected and vetted by InsideHook editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Visit InsideHook’s Holiday 2020 gifting hub to find gift ideas for every person on your list this year. Also, who are we kidding? Find lots of ideas for yourself there, too.
Let’s face it: buying the craft beer enthusiast on your list beer for Christmas is something you can only do so many times before it starts to get old. Besides, unless your beer expertise matches their own and you’re confident you know their tastes (Do they hate sours? Do they prefer west coast IPAs to New England IPAs? Do they find Christmas beers hokey or charming?), it’s a bit of a risk.
Fortunately, there are plenty of non-beer gift options for your favorite hophead, from bottle openers and coolers to fancy growlers and glassware. We’ve rounded up 14 of our favorites below, all guaranteed to improve their drinking experience, help them flaunt their boozy obsession or both.
3-in-1 Hermetus Bottle Opener and Sealer
This three-in-one bottle opener and sealer is perfect for the rare occasion when your craft beer-loving buddy can’t finish a beer in one sitting. It hermetically re-seals bottles, maintaining the beer’s CO2 levels and preventing it from going flat in the fridge. Now they’ve got no excuse not to open that bomber of the good stuff.
The Beer Pantry Cookbook
This cookbook is a must for the beer geek who’s looking to learn a little more about the ideal food pairings for their brews. Some of the recipes utilize the beer itself (like the dark chocolate soufflé with bourbon barrel-aged crème anglaise), and all of them include recommended craft beer pairings to go with each dish.
YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler
Now, more than ever, as the pandemic forces us to do all of our socializing outdoors, it’s important for beer enthusiasts to have a really solid cooler to keep their booze cool during park hangs, picnics and (once summer rolls around again) beach days. This YETI is exactly what they need: it’s got a 7.2 gallon capacity, a leak-proof interior liner and a waterproof exterior in case of spills.
Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit
Most beer nerds already know that different styles of beer taste best when you drink them out of specific styles of glassware, but many aspiring beer nerds are still drinking out of the countless pint glasses cluttering their cabinets. Set them on the right path with this craft beer tasting kit, which includes an IPA, Tulip, Lager and Hefe glass.
GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler
Unlike your regular, run-of-the-mill growlers, the uKeg keeps beer fresh for weeks thanks to its CO2 cartridge, carbonation cap and external pressure gage. It also has its own tap to dispense the beer, meaning you can keep it sealed and don’t have to worry about sloppily lifting and pouring from the 64-ounce vessel.
Personalized Wall Bottle Opener
Every beer geek already has approximately 80 million bottle openers they’ve accumulated over years of drinking currently living in miscellaneous drawers or taking up precious space on their key ring, but you can help them class up their home bar a bit with this personalized wall bottle opener. It looks nice, it’s always handy, and it’s got a cap collector at the bottom.
How to Brew: Everything You Need to Know to Brew Great Beer Every Time by John J. Palmer
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in homebrewing, whether they’re a novice or an expert. It covers the basics like what sort of equipment you’ll need, how to brew your first beer, etc., but it also includes advanced information on brewing techniques and recipe formulation, complete with charts, graphs, equations and visuals. This expanded edition includes five new chapters about malting and brewing, strong beers, fruit beers, sour beers and adjusting water for style.
RABBIT Set of 2 Freezeable Beer Glasses
Pop these bad boys in the freezer for at least an hour before you start pouring, and they’ll keep your beer cold for up to two hours. The black silicone base acts as a built-in coaster or a barrier between your hand and the cold glass, so no koozies are necessary.
Deco Chef Mini Fridge
If there’s one thing a craft beer fan always needs, it’s more fridge space. Why not get them this mini fridge to store all their favorite brews? This one can fit up to 118 aluminum cans, which will free up room for things like food in the family refrigerator.
Shower Beer Holder
We all love a good shower beer every now and then, and this device will allow you to keep your drink handy while you soap up without resting it precariously on the edge of the tub or trying to shove it into your caddy next to your shampoo. It’ll stick to any glossy tile or surface.
Beer Socks
These beer-inspired mid-calf socks are fun but understated, and they come in three different styles: IPA, lager or stout. Plus, they come packaged in a reusable beer can, making them a perfect stocking stuffer.
Hoppy IPA Beer Soap
Why just drink beer when you can literally bathe in it? This beer soap smells like an IPA (that’s because it contains real beer and real hops), and beyond that boozy novelty, it’s also vegan and not tested on animals.
Goplus Beer Tower Dispenser
This three-liter dispenser comes with a removable ice tube to keep your beer cold without diluting it, as well as an LED light that changes color randomly to bring a little fun, party atmosphere to your gathering (or your solo drinking … we’re not here to judge).
100% Soy Beer Can Candle, Cinnamon Vanilla Stout
Beer Can Candle offers a variety of candles that … well, come in a beer can. The real selling point here is that they smell like beer, and their Cinnamon Vanilla Stout is the perfect scent for this time of year. Each candle comes with a can top and a gift box.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.