As an Aussie, you must know at least one person that’s a beer enthusiast. It’s known that Australians drink around 75 million litres of beer annually, so it’s no surprise that there are thousands of beer lovers in this country. These people are passionate about beer and know everything there is about this golden liquid. So, when it’s time for some gifts, you already know what to get them, a beer-related present.
Homebrewing Equipmen
If your friend is a beer enthusiast and they still don’t have a home brewery, this is the right time to get them a brewing kit. This kit is composed of several pieces of equipment that are essential to the process. The first one is a brewing vessel. This is where you mix all the ingredients.
Next is the fermentation vessel. In many kits, the fermentation and brewing vessels are the same. They come in several sizes, but the most common one is the 22l one. Beginner brewers start with around 18l of liquid and a 22l vessel allows the foam to rise. Make sure your friend has high-quality brewing equipment at home by not compromising on the materials and features.
Get your friend some bottles as well. They’re important because when sealed inside, the beer goes through a second fermentation. Also, include some caps and a bottle capper. You can even personalise this and have your friend’s name on it. The carboy is another option for secondary fermentation. Just make sure it’s made of PET, PBA-free plastic that won’t change the beer’s flavour, structure, smell or colour.
Another must-have is the thermometer. Your friend should be able to monitor the beer’s temperature all the time. Otherwise, if it’s too hot, it can develop bacteria. And if it’s too cold the yeast won’t react and ferment the beer. The ideal temperature of the beer should be around 16-22 degrees Celsius, and the thermometer will help them regulate it.
Hydrometers are another practical tool to have. By measuring the beer’s gravity, it shows how much is the alcohol content in the beer. This can be very useful, especially if your friend has a very specific beer taste. Some of the other things you can include in the kit are a few sanitisers, to keep the bottles and equipment sanitised, a bottle rack to dry the bottles, a strainer bag, measuring cups etc.
Recipe Kits
Recipe kits are the gifts that keep on giving. There are so many recipes you can choose from. You can get them their favourite flavour or make them try something new they weren’t sure they’d like. There are 4 main ingredients in this kit. Malt extract is the first one. It acts as the base for the beer, and you can find it in a liquid or powder form.
Malt helps the malting process where the sugar gets extracted from the grains. The second ingredient is yeast. It can also be dry or liquid, and it transforms the extracted sugar into alcohol. Hops are the third ingredient. They’re responsible for the beer’s bitterness. The kit can have 2 types of hops. The first ones are bittering the second ones are flavouring.
Some other, extra ingredients you can find in the kits are priming sugar. This ingredient takes care of the carbonation. There can be a grain bag to hold the grains while they boil. Also, some specialty grains or powders add another layer of flavour to the beer. Of course, to prepare all of this, your friend has to have brewing equipment at home.
Beer Hamper
If you want to do something fun and creative, a beer hamper is the perfect choice. It gives you the chance to show your friend how much you know them and their preferences. It also shows how much thought you’ve put into creating a gift like this. There are thousands of combinations you can make.
Of course, there are pre-made ones, but it’s much more meaningful if you make it on your own. Think about your friend’s favourites. Do they like ale, pilsners, pale ales, lagers or maybe dark ales? Are they’re a fan of some specific snack they like to grab with a beer? Choose a few of their favourite beers and combine them with some snacks.
This can be nuts, crackers, dips, chips, sausages, pretzels or anything else they might enjoy. If they have home brewing equipment you can add some flavouring for their next recipe, some mugs, beer books with recipes or the history of beer, bottle openers, customised labels and much more.
Beer Steins
Beer steins are among the most popular beer-related gifts. Imagine how happy your friend will be while they’re sipping from a vintage German stein. It’ll be like stepping back into another era. The steins are recognisable by the pewter lid they have on top. They can be made of clay, glass, porcelain, stoneware, crystal and even wood.
Some of these materials are porous so manufacturers glaze them on the inside. There are plenty of different stein designs and styles such as chalice, Bavarian, potbelly, tavern, barrel, pilsner, lodge, Hofbrau, hourglass and smokestack. All of them are unique, and beautiful and have a handle so the hands don’t warm up the liquid inside while your friend is holding it.
Cooling Can
This simple item can become your friend’s best companion during the hot summer night by the pool or at the park. No one likes to drink warm beer, so why should your friend? Cooling cans are double-walled and have a vacuum between them. This way it prevents the conduct of heat energy and keeps the beer cold.
You can choose between several sizes, but the most common ones are 300ml and 500ml. If you know your friend’s preferred size, you can get them a can of that size. If you do, it’s always a good idea to buy the whole different-sized set and they’ll be ready for everything. The lid can be a rubber gasket or a twisted top. A can with a non-slip bottom is a big plus, because it’ll prevent accidental spills of the liquid gold.
Let's Discover AU 
Leave a comment