Since it's that time of the year again, let's take a look at some of 2005's best gifts for the beer loving gourmand. Beginning with . . .
Brew Like a Monk by Stan Hieronymus; Wild Brews by Jeff Sparrow; and Farmhouse Ales by Phil Markowski (all Brewers Publications, Boulder, CO, 2004 or 2005). What's that? You say that you're not a home brewer and so have no interest in BP's series on how to brew classic and, in this case, not necessarily so classic ales and lagers? Well, here's a news flash: You don't need to brew to need these books. Each one is more than just a primer of brewing recipes and techniques; it's an in-depth look into the essential character of some of the world's greatest beers, and others soon-to-be-great. Knowledge is more than just strength, it's also a pathway to greater appreciation, and as Peter Brouckaert writes in the foreword of Wild Brews, "You will gain knowledge through reading this book." It's a declaration that may be applied very easily to all three volumes. (www.beertown.org)
After reading the books, you or your gift recipient may want to visit the land where wild yeasts ferment and monks brew, or where secular brewers craft more conventional ales and lagers, in which case you should be looking up www.beertrips.com. Beer Trips proprietor Mike Saxon just announced his line-up of drink-themed voyages for 2006, and it's a good one. Lambic in Belgium, whisky and cask-conditioned ale in Scotland, Oktoberfest in Munich: there's something for everyone who cares at all about what they drink, and where it comes from.
Speaking of the what and where of beer, if someone on your list fancies themselves a bit of a beer expert, or is the type who likes to test the knowledge of others, then they might find themselves enjoying BeerSmarts, a new game from the folks at SmartsCo. Printed "flash card" style, this Q&A game is just the thing for stimulating conversation around a beer tasting or passing the time on a plane or boat. It and other similar boxes - there's WineSmarts and SexSmarts, too - are available at stores or through www.smartsco.com.
Beer, of course, is another gift-giving option, but there's little creativity involved in putting a bow on a six-pack, is there? Instead, then, try offering something more unusual, such as the latest lunacy from an ever-growing group of so-called "extreme" brewers. Beers like Russian River's Supplication, Dogfish Head's Worldwide Stout, Boston Beer's Utopias or Avery's The Reverend might be hard to find, but they're certainly going to raise eyebrows and prompt smiles on Christmas day. (www.russianriverbrewing.com; www.samadams.com; www.averybrewing.com)
Of course, once you have the beer, you need something to drink it out of, and until Riedel comes up with a decent line of beer glasses, the Belgians, it must be said, do glassware best. You can find what's likely the most extensive selection of Belgian beer glasses at the Global Beer Network, www.globalbeer.com.
And finally, if you really feel like pushing out the boat, how about placing a bid on your very own brewery? The Black Canyon Restaurant & Brewery in Montrose, Colorado, is up for sale on eBay, with a minimum price of US$659,000. If there's someone on your list who has always wanted to be a professional brewer or restaurateur, and you have three-quarters of a million bucks to spend on a gift this year, this could be just the ticket.
We're very interested in your news, notes, comments and questions, so please feel free to contact SBWoB by clicking on the link below. Or you can add your comments when you sign up for the World of Beer Update, a mid-month e-mail newsletter that brings even more of the world of beer to your computer.
