Christmas is still happening. And while 2020 is the perfect excuse for last-minute shopping, it also leaves no excuse for NOT shopping. (What the hell else have you been doing?) So, we put together this Beerknurd Shopping Guide that’s full of some of Flying Saucer Draught Emporium’s great partners. If you’re looking for gifts, hit them up and show them love, Beerknurds.
And remember, if all else fails, a Flying Saucer gift card is always the perfect present.
A LIST OF GIFTS FOR CRAFT BEER LOVERS…
MINDY’S BEER GEAR
Perfect for: Craft Beer Lovers; Eco-Friendly; Beer Fashionistas
The eponymous Mindy handcrafts awesome beer gear by upcycling beer boxes she comes across. She turned a Bell’s Two Hearted beer box into a wallet, a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot beer box into a dog collar, an Alaskan Spruce IPA beer box into a tiara, and even a New Belgium beer box into a bowtie. When COVID took over, she started making beer-inspired masks and now does her best to keep up with demand. Everything she makes is cut and sewn by hand. So, each piece has a bit of uniqueness to it and full of her love and artistry. Act fast and you might be able to score this Resting Beer Face mask!
Shop Now: https://www.mindysbeergear.com/
BEER CONNOISSEUR
Perfect for: Beerlovers, Readers,
Over 8 million readers can’t be wrong! The Beer Connoisseur is one of the most read craft beer publications by both consumers and industry pros. The BC team explores craft beer culture in America and abroad through their online articles, industry news, beer reviews, style guides, brewer/brewery profiles, and more. A subscription can help you be the Beerknurd with the biggest beer brain at the bar. And compliments of Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, take advantage of a limited time 30% discount on any subscription option with coupon code KNURD30. A subscription is great for last-minute shoppers…or for yourself. Immediately download and print a gift card with the purchase. Stuff it in a stocking or send it over via email. It’s time to become a beer connoisseur and attempt to keep up with our Beer Goddesses!
Shop Now: https://beerconnoisseur.com/premium-subscription – use code KNURD30
JUST HIT SEND GIFTS
Perfect for: Client & Employees; Hard-To-Shop-For Friends; Host/Hostess Gifts, Shoppingly-Challenged Beerknurds
Just Hit Send makes shopping and gifting super easy. Browse through high-end premade packages or build your own from collections of curated goodies on their website, enter the recipient’s info, and hit “send.” The Just Hit Send team takes care of the rest. Need something for clients or employees working from home? They got you. Something for your awkward brother-in-law? They got you. Just need ANYTHING for that annoying-ass friend or family member who refuses to admit they want anything for Christmas? They got you. You can feel good about your purchase thanks to their sustainability practices and the portion of proceeds they give to OneTreePlanted to plant trees.
Shop Now: https://www.justhitsendgifts.com/
APOLLO
Perfect for: Houstonians
Have someone on your list with a deep, unapologetic, and – frankly – concerning obsession with Houston? Perhaps, specifically the Houston Astros? Check out Apollo for t-shirts, hoodies, and masks that drip Space City culture. The designs are legit and very cool (even non-Houstonians will recognize that) and the quality is great. So, regardless of whether you’re trash can banging is ironic or not – H-Town is for Everyone.
Shop Now: https://apollohou.com/
BAYOU BURNS CANDLE COMPANY
Perfect For: Candle Addicts, Freshly Sparked Romances, the Olfactorily Fixated, Deodorant Deniers
Bayou Burns is proving that candles aren’t just for grandma or a give-up gift. This company started by a couple of friends is taking their passion for fresh fragrances and giving it to the world in the form of hand-poured, all natural, candles. Browse creative and brilliantly constructed candles with scents for just about everyone: The Grind (for coffee lovers), 100% That Candle (for Lizzo fans), Sunday Vibes (for the die-hard brunch fan), the Man Cave Bundle (for the dude that needs a not-so-subtle suggestion), or the Girl, Relax (for the Karen in your life.) Ship one so they can spark one.
Shop Now: https://bayou-burns-candle-co.myshopify.com/
BEES BUBBLES
Perfect For: Bathknurds, Beerknurds Trying to Recover from a Plate Party, Stocking Stuffers,
Plop plop. Fizz fizz. Oh what a relief it is. Not indigestion medicine, but these handmade bath products from Bees Bubbles. These friends of Flying Saucer started their bath and body business as a hobby and grew it to the point that they’re now featured on this amazing blog! All their creations are natural and tested out by Tracie – creator/designer/owner – herself. These bath bombs and shower melts are perfect for Beerknurds trying to recover the day after their plate party – or for adding an extra level of luxury to your daily sobs in the tub.
Shop Now: https://beesbubbles.com/
GIFTS FOR FOODIES
44 FARMS
Perfect For: Beef Lovers
Give the give of beef this Christmas. But not just regular beef. INCREDIBLE beef from good friends and partners of Flying Saucer, 44 Farms. Family owned and operated 44 Farms has been in operation since 1909 and is recognized as one of the “premier Black Angus producers in the county.” The ranchers focus on the health of their livestock and the land on which they live. Multiple generations worth of ranching expertise has resulted in some of the highest quality beef that both restaurants and home cooks drool over. Shop for Christmas Holiday Gifts and Packages because…#beef. FYI – that Christmas Prime Rib Package is probably underpriced! Get it! Beef: it’s what’s for Christmas! (Can we say that without getting sued?)
Shop Now: https://www.44steaks.com/
FLOURPRESS
Perfect For: Sweet Toothed Beerknurds
Frequently a partner with San Antonio Flying Saucer pairings, Flourpress makes incredible cookies, cakes, and other confections – both traditional and inventive. Almond raisin scones, Gingerbread Muffins, Spiced Cocoa Poptarts, and Chocolate Hazelnut Linzer Cookies are some of their latest creations. They put out a menu of goodies every Thursday that you can order for Saturday pickup. Act fast. When they’re gone – they’re gone.
Shop Now (well.Thursday): https://www.flourpress.com/
VAQUERO COFFEE CO.
Perfect For: Coffeeknurds, Caffeine Junkies
Incredible coffee from coffee snobs of the highest order. What Flying Saucer is to craft beer education and knowledge, the folks at Vaquero Coffee are to craft coffee. They know their beans. Their grinds are divine. Their java is the jam. Order their coffees (blended and roasted in-house) from their website for local or national delivery. Choose from whole beans or their new line of K-Cups at their online store. You can even get a monthly subscription to make sure someone you know will always have you to thank as they’re running through walls like the Kool-Aid man, high on that Vaquero Coffee supply.
Shop Now: https://www.vaquerocoffeeco.com/
HOPPY HEAT
Perfect For: Foodies, Spice Addicts, Beerknurds Who Think Beer Should Go In Everything
Do you know anyone that thinks the only way to improve hot sauce is by adding beer? If so, they need the hot sauces and mustard Hoppy Heat bottles. The Houston-based sauce slingers bring the heat with small batches of sauces made by hand and with fresh local produce. Then, they up the game by adding Houston beer to their recipes. Each recipe is unique, inspired by the team’s creative personalities, free of mysterious crap, and full of bold flavor. Enjoy flavors like Figgy Smalls (made with Eureka Heights’ Moo Caliente Milk Stout), Oye Como Guava (made with Urban South’s Triple Spilled Sour), and Bob’s Hair Tonic (made with Brash’s P*** Wagon).
Shop Now: https://www.hoppyheat.com/
HOUSTON DAIRYMAIDS
Perfect For: Foodies, Cheese-lovers, Party Nosh
Looking for a killer cheese tray for your Christmas party of any size? Houston Dairymaids can hook you up with an arrangement of killer cheese and charcuterie. They scour America for the best cheeses they can find, but really love to put the spotlight on Texas cheesemakers. Beerknurds can place an order for in-store pickup or delivery through Postmates or DoorDash. Grab a Gift Box bursting with dairy delights or pick up a variety of fresh cheese and charcuterie from their cheese shop in the Houston Heights. Don’t know cheese? No problemo, our queso-impaired friend. The Houston Dairymaid cheesemongers will happily help you out. Or you can bestow the gift that keeps on giving with a Cheese of the Month Club Membership!
Shop Now: https://www.houstondairymaids.com/
INDIE RECORD STORES
Perfect For: Musicknurds, Vinyl Junkies
Nothing goes better with craft beer than music. And as supporters of indie craft breweries, we also throw our support behind indie record stores. Almost every community has one and for the last few years we’ve had a blast partnering with them for Record Store Day. If you’re in need of something truly unique, explore your local indie record Store. Does someone you know love music and all that comes along with it? They got it! New, used, rare, classic, fresh, popular, nichey. Vinyl, CDs, cassettes, posters, shirts, toys, movies, etc. Dive in and find that something really special for that special (or not-so-special someone).
A few of our favorites:
Arkansas Record-CD Exchange (Little Rock, AR)
Bat Cave Vinyl (San Antonio, TX)
Cactus Music (Houston, TX)
SUPPORTING THE FLYING SAUCER FAMILY
MEDDLESOME MOTH
Our more sophisticated sister, Meddlesome Moth, celebrated 10 years of extraordinary craft beer and food in 2020. Our 25th and their 10th weren’t what we hoped they would be, but we’re grateful to have been able to celebrate. Beerknurds can send a gift card to their friends and family to Dallas’ original gastropub that constantly maintains one of the best beer lists in the world. Act fast and you could score one of Meddlesome Moth’s 12 Beers of Christmas boxes with 12 hand-picked and hand-wrapped beers. It really is the perfect gift for the beer snob in your family…or for a day when you have nothing better to do.
Shop now: https://mothinthe.net/
RODEO GOAT
Rodeo Goat is easily the best burger in Texas (probably the U.S.). Our family at the goat prides itself on perfectly cooked burgers made with fresh, hand-ground 44 Farms Beef and awesome craft beer. A gift card stuffed into a stocking will let someone stuff their face and love it.
Shop now: https://www.rodeogoat.com/ (Purchase gift cards by clicking on an individual location’s link)
FLYING FISH
Inspired by the fish shacks of east Texas, Flying Fish serves up delicious fish dishes. Feast on everything from fried catfish to grilled mahi. Po’boys are killer, whole fried snapper is flakey and tender, and gumbo is gooo-oood! Send a gift card someone’s way and make their Christmas fish come true!
Shop now: https://www.flyingfishinthe.net/giftcards
MIRIAM’S COCINA LATINA
The newest member of the family, Miriam’s Cocina Latina, serves Latin-flavored dishes (Mexican, Dominican, South American, and beyond). The patio faces beautiful Klyde Warren Park in Downtown Dallas and the Dallas Arts District. And despite the comida dripping with sabor, the best thing about Miriam’s is a hug (air hug) from Miriam – the woman in charge and namesake. Her larger-than-life personality and passion for hospitality guarantees a great dining experience. Put some #MiriamHugs in someone’s stocking.
Shop now: https://www.miriamcocina.com/product/e-gift-card/
Of course, don’t forget Flying Saucer Gift Cards, Shirts, and Merch. See what’s available at your local Saucer or SHOP ONLINE.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Beerknurds! Thank you for your support since 1995 and throughout 2020.
