Looking for some cool and unique gifts for CT Beer lovers? Or maybe you want to treat yourself? Whatever the case may be, our holiday gift ideas are sure to please anyone who’s enthusiastic about their Nutmeg State Suds, from casual ale drinkers to serious craft beer connoisseurs.
Looking for some cool and unique gifts for CT Beer lovers? Or maybe you want to treat yourself? Whatever the case may be, our holiday gift ideas are sure to please anyone who’s enthusiastic about their Nutmeg State Suds, from casual ale drinkers to serious craft beer connoisseurs.
We put together a convenient directory of Connecticut Breweries, Beer Bars and Package Stores to make it easy to buy digital gift cards at some of your favorite places. Whether you choose to use the gift cards now for to-go/curbside, after Covid-19 has passed, as a gift in the future, or choose to not to use at all as a donation, our local businesses need our community’s support now more than ever. Your generosity and support of our local businesses will not only directly help the employees at these locations, but also indirectly help our local economy continue until this pandemic has passed.
2. Bar New Haven Custom Crowlers
Forget holiday cards — send beer with a customized note from Bar New Haven. They’ll even work with you to come up with absurd names for the “canned by” section of the label. But if you’re ordering a large preorder they can write something specifically for your event or individuals. Each crowler is 2 pints (32 oz) for $10 or a 4 pack (1 gallon) for $35. You can leave fresh Crowler 4 packs at the doors of your socially distanced friends with custom messages. You can even order crowlers in advance to be canned fresh on the date of your event too! Call Bar at 203-495-1111 to order.
3. The Drunk Alpaca CT Craft Beer Glazed Chips
Our friends The Drunk Alpaca have mastered craft beer infused snacks & desserts. Which is why we know you’ll love their CT Craft Beer Glazed Chips. Featured in Saveur Magazines Top 100 list this year, these potato chips are crunchy, sweet with a little bit of tang from their CT Craft Beer Glaze. The glaze is made from a CT Craft Beer reduction, butter and honey and their chips come in a variety of seasonings, available in 11 different flavors. Be sure to check out their e-gift cards, gift baskets and beer snacks available for gifts as well. This women owned bakery is based out of Shelton CT. They ship too! At just $4.00 a bag you can affordably over-stock your stockings.
4. Thimble Island Brewing Co’s Holiday Bucket
Give the gift of a bucket of beer. That is, Thimble Island’s holiday buckets of six (6) different Thimble beers! Each bucket includes a pint glass. You can also choose from different styles of beer from the Stouts & Porters Bucket, Classics Bucket or Sours Bucket. You can pre-order yours online at their website for pickup at their Branford CT location. Cost: $29.99.
5. Thread City Hop Fest at Home
Just because beer fests are canceled it doesn’t mean we still cant enjoy them; quarantine style. The Thread City Hop Fest at Home is a ‘Beerfest In A Box’ and contains 24 incredible craft beers from 12 amazing craft breweries. Some of them are old friends, while others might become your new favorite. All beers are carefully selected by Willimantic Brewing Company’s tie-dyed Brewer David Wollner. Buyers also get an exclusive invite to an online event to talk and drink beer with others. Plus, all proceeds to go benefit local charities in need this holiday season. Pre-order online and pick up at Willimantic Brewing Company Dec. 19th or 20th. Cost: $100.
6. Area Two & Two Roads 2020 Holiday Ornament & Cellar Dweller Club
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree. How lovely are thy branches! Area Two Experimental Brewing (the 2nd location on Two Road Brewing Co’s Stratford CT campus) is offering a bunch of cool accessories to make your tree more lovely with laser engraved ornaments. Pricing starts at $5 each, they have a few options available in their online store. Also, we heard thru the hopvine, sales for their Area Two Cellar Dweller Club will go back on sale soon. Members only get exclusive access to new beers from Master Brewer Phil Markowski, top secret tastings, 15% discount on Area Two and Two Roads events and so much more. I’m hoping when Santa comes to town this one winds up under my tree…..or at least one of these ornaments on it (hint hint elbow elbow, Mrs. CTbeer).
7. Eli Cannons Mixed 4-Pack
Eli Cannons in Middletown CT has one of the states most impressive tap lines. Now due to Covid, you can get beer to go via curbside pickup. Pre-order online and throw in some food to go or stop by and hang out in their outdoor heated tents. Sweatshirts might be needed, but hey, who ever thought you could hang out on their patio on the sand during the winter. The Eli Cannon’s Mixed 4-Pak is just $20, you can order yours online.
8. CTBeer.com Drink Local T-Shirts
Ok, we’re tooting our own horn here but this t-shirt is made for anyone who loves, supports and drinks CT Craft Beer. This one-of-a-kind T-Shirt was hand designed for CTBeer.com by local artist Jason Roeder. We have only 20 of them left for sale at $19.99 each (plus S&H). Be sure to check out our online store for more stocking stuffers including a CTBeer.com sticker and CT Beer Face Mask.
9. Brass City Brew & ‘ Que Tour Book
This book is basically is a moving brew fest to taste and enjoy at 25 local craft breweries & distilleries who have exhibited at their annual 15th Annual Brass City Brew & ‘Que event (Waterbury CT). Each location has crafted their owned voucher offer to be used on beer, merchandise and more – a $100 voucher value in total. For the beer-aficionado, the book includes a notes section to capture tasting experiences in a keepsake 15th annual Brass City Brew & ‘ Que Tour Book. Each voucher can be redeemed throughout all of 2021 to taste and enjoy at any of the participating locations. Cost: $45, buy on their website at this link.
10. Stony Creek Brewery Mug Club 2020-2021 Edition
Stony Creek is currently offering a special deal to join their mug club. With one of CT’s most beautiful breweries to hang, this one is worth a look. You’ll get invited to members only events, discounts, exclusive tastings, special offers, and more after paying a membership fee. Club Special: $25 per mug. Deal is good until 3/31/2021. Must call or visit their brewery to order.
Pro Tip: Many CT Breweries and Beer Bars are opening up their Mug Club Subscriptions this time of year. Use the CT Beer Map to search and find places near you to see what they’re offering.
11. Beerd Brewing Hoppy Delivery
Beer’d Brewing Company created a Hoppy Delivery package that is $15 including shipping. The idea behind it was for friends and family that can’t be together to send them a low cost package wishing the recipient a brewtiful day. Hoppy Delivery Includes: Tote – TNE Fold-Up, 4 Beer’d Stickers, Feelin’ Lucky Koozie and 4 beer labels. You can also include a customized note to the recipient.
12. Labyrinth Brewing Company Candles
Brew Candles are great for beer geeks and candle lovers alike! Hand-poured into beer cans, each candle is inspired by the flavor of a different Labyrinth Brewing Company craft beer. Plus, each candle smells like the beer that came out of the can (for example Turbo Love Juice has tropical & citrus notes). They offer 9 different candles and scents. Order on their website for pickup at their Manchester CT brewery location. Cost: $20 each.
13. Tribus Beer Co. “Blink” Items
Our friends at Tribus Beer Co. (Milford CT) offers a ton of cool swag in their online store. Any #ctbeer lover would be proud to score anything they sell, however, we recommend being on the lookout for their “Blink” items. These are collectable products that are only available for a short period of time on their website. Go to their online store and order these exclusive short run “Blink” items and get them delivered right to your door.
Pro Tip: Use the CT Beer Map to find breweries and beer bars near you, visit their website. Many have an online store where you can buy merch and accessories and have them shipped right to your door before the holidays.
14. Twelve Days Of Christmas Giftboxes
Twelve Percent Beer Project is offering twelve different fantastic beers for you or as a gift for your favorite beer enthusiast. Each giftbox contains a random mix of IPAs, Stouts, and more — no two giftboxes will be the same. But all are guaranteed to have an unbelievably awesome mix of beer. Giftboxes may be picked up at their taproom in North Haven CT December 7th through December 12th. OR better yet, you can have this box of joy delivered for FREE, whether to you or to your lucky gift recipient. Deliveries will be made between Wed 12/9 – Friday 12/11, perfect timing for the holidays (shipping to CT addresses only). Cost: $39.60. Order online.
