Valentine’s Day is upon us. But love it or hate it, celebrate it or denigrate it, there’s one thing that will never leave you heartbroken: craft beer. Here are a few brew-minded gift ideas worthy of Cupid’s arrow:
TO SIP
Let’s start with the obvious: chocolate beer. While undiscerning drinkers may turn their noses up at any beer with chocolate or fruit in it, the rest of us know better. For our North Texas Beerknurds, surprise your valentine with a bottle of Lakewood’s Raspberry Temptress, the first in the brewery’s Seduction Series to be released in 22-ounce bottles. It’s the same decadent milk stout you know and love, but with a whopping half ton of fresh raspberries added. Pucker up.
Raleigh Beerknurds, do your relationship a favor and snag a bottle of Sexual Chocolate from Foothills Brewing Co. This cocoa-infused imperial stout has been released annually since 2006, and it’s not to be missed. But it sells out fast, so hurry and get a bottle while it lasts.
Another great choice is Theobroma, a yearly release from Delaware-based Dogfish Head. With a name that translates to “food of the gods,” it’s a celebration of chocolate that’s brewed with Aztec cocoa and cocoa nibs—plus chilies in case you want to spice things up.
TO PLAY WITH
For the Beerknurd who already has everything, there’s always soap. Choose from suds made with Southern Tier Pumking, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Delirium Tremens, Stone Smoked Porter and more.
If your Beerknurd happens to be the DIY type, then a membership to the American Homebrewers Association is just the thing. $43 gets you a subscription to Zymurgy Magazine, access to competitions and discounts at participating bars and restaurants, including Flying Saucer.
Is your Beerknurd the nostalgic type? Craft Beer Hound makes a cool Beer Cap Collector Shadow Box, a clever way to store and display your favorite brews. Plus, more bottle caps as art mean fewer bottle caps in the trash.
For the craft beer and craft jewelry lover, check out custom beer jewelry from bin52. Handmade designs incorporate barley and whole-leaf hops into stylish rings, necklaces and pendants.
TO DO
If you’ve you got a few airline miles to spare, head to Seattle for Pike Brewing Co.’s ChocoFest. This year’s celebration of beer and chocolate included live music, oysters, beer, cider, mead—even a chocolate cask beer section. The 2016 edition promises to be just as epic.
Don’t have plans for the big day yet? Deep in the heart of Texas, Save the World Brewing Co. is throwing a beer release party on February 14, and you can be one of the first to try its new Double Milk Chocolate Stout with mint. Word on the street is that a collaboration with Austin-based Amy’s Ice Cream is involved.
Still stumped? Bring your Beerknurd to your local Flying Saucer for a variety of Cupid-themed events, from Valentine’s Day beer flights to sweet and sour beer specials to Founders beer and cupcake pairings. Check your local pub for event details.
