Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Well here are two ideas from your friends at Sevenpack.

First, the beer basket. This gift is for all you DIYers out there who like to make gifts for people. No need to fear, this gift is neither tough nor time consuming to make. First step, get a basket. Actually, depending on the person you are giving it to, a basket is not necessary… using a box or bag would work fine too. Second, stroll down to your local craft beer store. Pick out a variety of five or six 22 ounce beer bombers. The variety could include beers from America, Belgium, England, Germany… or any region where beer is brewed. Not sure which beers to choose? We’ve reviewed a few beers here at Sevenpack, which you could use as a guide, or you could ask one of the store’s workers for suggestions. Be creative and don’t stick to one style or brewer. Also, throw in some appropriate beer glassware (dave: thanks for the comment about glassware Buttle). Third step, place purchased beers in basket/box/bag. Final step, give the gift to the beer connoisseur. Actually it does not even have to be a beer connoisseur. This could be the ideal time to introduce someone to the variety that is craft beer.

Okay, so you might not be a “make a gift” person, so how about giving a book about beer? There are plenty of books out there to choose from. The books range in topic from “Top Beers of the World” to “How to Cook with Beer” to “Pair Beer and Food” to “How to Brew Your Own Beer”. A book about beer might not sound as “fun” as actual beer you can drink, but a lot of craft beer drinkers enjoy learning about beer too. I actually picked up “Ultimate Beer” by Michael Jackson recently, and I have been enthralled by it. This book is not one of Michael Jackson’s larger tomes on beer, considering it barely ranks in size next to his “Great Beer Guide” or “Michael Jackson’s Great Beers of Belgium” (both of which are 500 plus pages). It does however provide a very nice introduction to beer, its history, its different styles, cooking with, etc. in its 192 pages.

The descriptions of each style of beer provide a nice primer on the style but do not overwhelm. Each style is also broken down to its recommended “serving time” (i.e. a “Sociable Beer” would be an English Bitter, while a “Winter Warmer” would be an Old Ales). Each beer style has a bunch of beer examples, which are beautifully photographed with their appropriate glassware. I’ve actually found myself thumbing through some of the pages just to look at the different bottle/glass label artwork. Of course each beer has some brief tasting notes from Michael Jackson. Again these notes are not overwhelming but provide enough description to understand the beer. The book also hits upon beer and food pairing and cooking with beer, which are both very interesting and exciting aspects of craft beer.

I guess one could read the book cover to cover, but I don’t think this is the essence of the book. This book is more of a coffee table (or beer table) book. It is meant to be left out for easy perusal to either spark some beer drinking inspiration (“I think I will look for this style of beer next time I’m out.”) or provide a talking point with guests (“No really, there is more to Beer then (insert macrobrew of choice)”). Overall it is a book any person who enjoys beer should have in their collection.

Have any other “Beer gift” ideas or get any good “Beer gifts” this holiday season? Leave a post in the comments, because we would all enjoy reading about them.