X-Mas Beer Surprises

But I'm an only child.

 

My wife bought be a ton of really good beers for xmas this year, including one of those Curieux 1.5L 10th anniversary boxes, several Almanac sours, and a bunch of other stuff. In fact I didn't get much of anything that wasn't beer related, which is fine by me!

 

I wish. That would be an incredible present.

 

My brother in law is in Indiana for the holidays. When I first walked into my in laws door yesterday he handed me a Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine, Avery 5 monks and Pump(Ky)n, and a Saison from a brewery out in Austin Texas. He told me to put them out in the car to take home! I was pleasantly surprised, and he was also since I told him we would open up my bottle of Prop tonight.

 

A friend of mine was going up to CW for their chocolate rye barrel aged porter release so he picked up a bottle of that and 16 for me so I could give them to my brother in law for Christmas. Had Christmas last night and my brother in law gave me the same two bottles! Great minds think alike!

 

My father-in-law had purchased this & GL Christmas Ale for the Christmas Day festivities...never been a fan of Christmas Ale but had heard good things about 12 Dogs. I have to say that it was hands down a surprise to me that I enjoyed it as much as I did. Spices were very subtle IMO & I was surprised at how well they hide the 8.3% abv. The 1st Christmas themed beer I had more than one of in a sitting, bravo Thirsty Dog.

 

My father-in-law who is not a beer guy drove an hour out of his way (they live in the sticks) to stock up on some 'house beer' for my visit. I genuinely appreciate the effort he always makes, but this year he got Brown Shugga and Heavy Seas Peg Leg just for me as a surpise. Just an awesome guy in general, however I really appreciated his thoughtfulness.

 

My girlfriend got me some of these. I have been enjoying them, as I like to refrigerate/freeze my glasses (GASP!). I have learned to only put these in the fridge though. I tried one out of the freezer and my beer actually had a little slush form at the top!

 

I got a gift set of St. Bernardus with the glass and a bottle of Curieux

 

My gf went to a local bottleshop where they were bringing up cellared beers to sell for Christmas and she got me a 2012 Double DBA, To Ol Sur Mosaic, and an Allagash Confluence.

 

Daughter and son-in-law brought me three Westbrook 4th anniversary chocolate coconut almond imperial stout bombers from Charleston.

 

My girl got me a 3 Bros Horizon Society Membership! Can't wait to try their sours and apple brandy resolute!
Happy Holidays to all Cheers!

 

Gotta say my mother went all out this year. She got me this glass set, sixer of gumballhead, an Alpha Klaus, a merry maker, and a four pack of 13' central waters bourbon barrel aged scotch ale. Needless to say I was taken back and very impressed but also thought I should send her out to do my hunting haha!

 

My brother got me three bottles of Schlafly beers. Just because he's my kid brother, he packed them in a large box and filled it with expanding foam. Took me an hour with a sharp knife to dig those bottles out! I'll be picking up foam pieces from my backyard for weeks.

 

Didn't expect my non-beer drinking wife or 21 year old daughter to know what beers to get me, but I did drop a hint that, as a homebrewer, I had a close relationship with a wide variety of hops. The "hops" Western shirt offered by Great Divide was a perfect gift.

 

So, a few years ago my aunt got my BA brother and I bombers "Budweiser Brewer's Reserve!"

... Wow, we each drank our bottle New Years... I think it must have been the waste water squeezed from the used mash... worst headache ever.... my entire body was sore...

 

My wife drove 9 hours round trip to Hill Farmstead, ran into a snow bank, pushed the car out herself, and returned with a nice haul for my gift.

 

Not beer but my girlfriend surprised me with this work shirt


and a gift card to total wine, I'm a very happy man this holiday season

 

The Mrs. surprised me (with subtle hints dropped the past 2 months) with a 10 gallon Fermenters Favoirte All Grain Kit. Can't wait to make the transition from partial grain to all grain.