Being "The Beer Guy" around the holidays

This years gift from the brother in law.

 

People worry that Sam Adams/Harpoon isn't good enough if that is what is in a cooler. If I hated it that much I would drink water or soda.

 

I have gotten plenty of beers (and whiskeys) from well meaning folks. Being Irish, in a band, and having been known to talk endlessly about beer nerd topics, I have tended to get alcohol as gifts.

I always appreciate the thought. Besides, not everyone would know that the six pack of Zombie Dust (if someone were to stumble upon that) was more valuable than the six pack of (insert any easy to find sixer.) We are beer nerds and that is the fun part.

 

Any time I am at a family event I crack a few bottles to share (usually a sour, an IPA, and a BA stout), converting some and confusing others. I would think this would kill anyone's hopes of gifting me beer I would like, since the only time they've seen beers like those are when I crack them. There are only 3 people who gift me beer: my mom, my dad, and my gf's father.

I live in CA, my dad is in Tampa, and my mom is in NY. I send my dad to CCB and my mom to the local bottle shop ~4 time a year each to save beers that I can't get in CA for when I visit.

Each Christmas my gf's father picks me up whatever he happens to find at costco. The Chimay and Ommegang gift boxes were cool, but the Modelo and Budwieser mixed cases made me realize he is not even trying. I always give the most generous sounding thank you then offer it to the piranhas at the next party I go to. It's hard for me to understand, but I just accept that some people are clueless.

 

My neighbor's dog gave me a 12 pack of Guinness Extra Stout which is a better choice than previous years in which he gave me Guinness Draught. So I'm a happy camper. I don't expect to receive any more beer for Christmas.

 

Sharing beer is a great thing to do. You can do it in a chill way. Just bring a bunch of good beers, but ones perhaps more accessible to to someone new to craft. No need to be pushy, just make sure that folks know that the beers are available for their drinking pleasure. Should anyone take you up on the offer, and the beer is a new experience for the drinker, it is likely that there will be some questions about it. This is your opening to offer some of your foamy wisdom. Just don't be pushy or judgmental. Want to try it? Up to you. No pressure at all, but you are totally welcome to check it out

But don't forget the coffee/chocolate/vanilla bean imperial stouts. For some women, that is "chick beer." E.G. my girl. Not a big beer drinker, but when she does have a beer she wants a Peche Mortel,Ten Fiddy, Choklat or something like that. So make sure you have something like that on hand. Just in case. If you can, representative samples from a number of style areas would be good. More opportunity for someone to find something they like, and more opportunity for education.

 

It means much discussion and examination of my beers by relatives. At my Christmas Eve gathering yesterday, my bro-in-law joking said, "each beer you bring out looks more sinister than the last," while eying my can of On the Wings of Armageddon.

It also means getting beer books, a renewal of Beer Advocate, and beer glasses. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

 

This is what the "Beer Guy" is bringing for Christmas!!!

 

I just always have a beer plan for every get together we go to. Family or friends. That way there are never worries and people won't attempt to buy.

Fortunately the beer side of the family only drinks Sam's or Yuengling which are both very manageable for me.

 

That's also a plus. I'm around great bottle shops and that has become a go to. Of course my wife encourages it so I'm not spending our money....just other people's for a change

 

A gift is a gift and is always welcomed even it's not something that I would have bought or perhaps something I would drink. I always have friends that want me to share my good beers with them and since they really don't know a lot about beer they will try what ever I have on hand. And who knows there is always the chance that someone will buy you that special bottle just out of shear luck. Life is to short to complain about a gift.

 

My boss got me a 6-pack of Jai Alai for Christmas (on 12/17). I looked at the bottom of the can and noticed the date was 12/8. I yelled at him for giving me such old IPA, and gave my 2-weeks notice on the spot. What an asshole.

 

Understandable. Pretty sure any one of us would have done the same.

 

I got enrolled in a monthly beer club as a gift by a relative who doesn't know a drop about beer. When I received the first box of crafty beer it was all the same brews I could get around the block at the grocery store. I let them know that what they had paid for wasn't exactly what I was receiving. They didn't think I was unappreciative at all, they were just annoyed that the club said it was craft beer and craft it was not. They got their money back and turned it into a craftshack gift card. I was happy to get some SoCal beers delivered.

 

I'm the beer guy but everyone asks and enjoys what I bring.

 

seriously. I open a 8-12% bomber to share and there is always a " oooh that's strong" as they are already 2 bottles of wine in.....