OT: Giving Alcohol as a Gift
I'm a firm believer that consumables (specifically alcohol) make the best gifts for adults. Your cousin may not want that hilarious t-shirt, but a bottle of wine is guaranteed to be either consumed by him or gifted to someone else.
Normally I try to go for bottles the recipient would not normally be able to find, either for reasons of geography or limited supply. For example, my mom loves Scotch, so I typically look for single cask bottles from her preferred region. The problem with this is that if the recepient really likes the bottle they typically can't get more of it (at least not easily).
Lately I've been wondering if I should instead look for bottles that the recepient would not typically buy but are related to what they like (such as different wine varietals or different styles of whiskey), or whether I should just give bottles I know the recepient buys and enjoys.
My question to all of you is what type of gift would you prefer as a gift: an old favorite, something new but of good quality, or something rare? If you're a Two Hearted fan would you prefer a six pack of Two Hearted, a six pack of something good that you've never had but you can find (possibly with a little effort), or a bottle of Pliny the Elder?
August 26th, 2016 at 1:19 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:20 PM ^
Of some good beer (Good beer, dammit! Bud Light Lime is NOT a good beer!), or a large bottle/can of something special, like Delirium Nocturnum/Tremen.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
But would you prefer something you'd be able to find, or something that you'd only be able to get more of with significant effort (if at all)?
August 26th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
If it's something I don't drink often, regardless of availability, I'll enjoy it. I can buy Delirium anywhere around me typically, but I don't because it's way more expensive per oz. than standard beer.
However, I think the best beers are those that come from someone who wants you to try something they love. Sure, I might not love it like they do, but I get to experience something that somebody I care about likes, and that becomes something we can enjoy in the future together. I do this with my dad when I get him beer, because he doesn't go to the bar as often as I do.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
It's easy to find in Ann Arbor as well. 4 packs and bombers.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^
You don't even have to go to good liquor stores, my grocery store carriest Delirium Tremens.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:55 PM ^
You can buy Delirium at meijers (seriously).
August 26th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
Had a pint of this in Traverse City last weekend.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 3:57 PM ^
This is a very good call; most people never think about Japanese whiskies so it's next to guaranteed to be a new thing...and its also really, really good
August 26th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^
I am a beer snob, which means beer as a gift for me is a fantastic idea, so long as it's not shit like Budweiser and the like.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
I've come back to straight-up Budweiser. Truth is, I never really liked it until a neighbor pulled one out of his cooler on a hot day. It's a clean beer. And I brew, drink a lot of beer, etc.
That said, I'd prefer to drink just about anything else. I'm just not getting all uppity about The King like I did as a youngster.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 2:09 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^
As a fellow beer snob, I hate 99.99% of beer gifts. I appreciate the effort, but the odds of someone purchasing a beer that would make me happy is near zero.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
I find this (99.99%) hard to believe. What is the worst beer you would not hate as a gift?
August 26th, 2016 at 2:06 PM ^
I have a huge cellar and I've logged over 2500 unique beers. I do not like receiving IPAs (because they are almost never fresh). If I do receive IPAs, I would be happy with Monkish, Tree House, or Trillium. Granted, these are all relatively tough to get and are rather expensive ($20+ a four pack). I like sours, but the worst I would be happy with is Upland lottery sours as well as de Garde. For stouts, if its not barrel aged, then I'll pass. The worst I'd be happy with is something along the lines of Trickery, Monsters' Park, etc.
I'm not saying other beers are bad, but I wouldn't drink the stuff below the caliber of beers I listed above.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:06 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^
Although, the "New England" style IPAs are minimally bitter and have a strong juice consistency and flavor. I would highly recommend the likes of Lawson's Sip of Sunshine, Trillium Congress Street, Trillium Sleeper Street, Hill Farmstead Abner, Hill Farmstead Double Galaxy, anything from Other Half, and anything from The Veil.
For sours, it's all about finding the perfect entry level beer. Cantillon is the best for the style, but I like the mouth puckering offers from Upland and de Garde. A lot of sours now have no presence of sourness and are basically an acidic juice. It's incredible what breweries are putting out right now.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:10 PM ^
Your reply makes me equal parts put-off and jealous. I'd be willing to ignore the former if you would share your stash with me.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^
I can definitely understand that. Well, I live near The Veil, so I always have more than enough amazing hoppy beers to share! Are you on Untappd?
August 26th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 3:21 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 3:47 PM ^
You weren't kidding when you said you're a beer snob.
I will happily receive and consume any number of beers you deem unfit to drink.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:39 PM ^
Hmm, why is Trickery rated as low as you have it?! I have a bottle I'm about to open very soon and pretty pumped..I've hight hopes. Do I think it'll be Vanilla Rye or Assassin? Probably not but that Apple Brandy usually makes for a tasty beer (for me anyway...I love me some Apple Brandy Noir, had one last night).
August 27th, 2016 at 8:34 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
However, if you deem Fat Squirrel as overrated (or inferior) well, sir, 'dem are fightin words
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^
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August 26th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:30 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:30 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
I'd go with a style that you know the recipient likes, but maybe a different brewer/distiller. So, yeah, what you said in your last paragraph. Don't buy an IPA for someone just to get them to try something different (same for stouts or fruity beers). They'll end up offering it back to you the next time you visit. Also, nothing cheap. It doesn't have to be a barley wine or tripel, but you shouldn't expect a lot of gratitude for Miler Lite.
I don't recommend giving wine unless it's expensive and/or you know a lot about wine.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^
I'm always a fan of getting something different that I would not have bought on my own, either because of availability or something else unrelated to the quality of the product. Being that my family has been in the wine/liquor beer business for 40 years, my recommendation is to get something different from what they might regularly drink but in the same category but go a price level or two higher. For example, if they drink Jim Beam, give a bottle of Knob Creek.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^
It's a bummer to get a gift that you end up not liking. Don't experiment with gifts!
August 26th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
upvoted solely based on your username
August 26th, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^
August 26th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
You're probably right. Last year we had MSU beat until we gave them a gift.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:40 PM ^
As long as the giver makes even a token effort, I'm honestly very appreciative and grateful.
I've happily worn some sweaters I'd never buy, because it reminds me of the giver's good intentions.
Even better if it's booze - you bet I'll enjoy it, even if it's not my typical choice.
Don't mean to sound goody-goody - I just genuinely think of gifts as tokens of generosity. Doesn't have to be perfect, just thoughtful.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^
Pliny the Elder!! Or a home brew :)
August 26th, 2016 at 1:33 PM ^
There are two elements to a great gift. 1. The desire to have said gift and 2. the amount of effort/thought put in by the gift giver. A six pack of Two Hearted is too easy even for the most loyal Two Hearted drinker. Pliny checks both boxes.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:33 PM ^
Seriously for beer it's all about regional/hard to find brews. Great gifts. My girlfriend recently got a case of Heady Topper as a gift, man that stuff is tasty.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
They make some good beer. Love Heady Topper.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
Buy a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Sure, it's blended, but it's freakin' delicious and it's something most people would never spend the money on for themselves.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
I was thinking a bottle of Glengoolie Blue. You know, for the best of times.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
I tend to get into a rut buying stuff I like, so getting something different to expand my horizons is always welcome. If I really like it, hunting for more or similar is something I don't mind doing. I usually find more stuff I like along the way. It's all about the journey.
August 26th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^