Giving beer is the perfect gift idea… and easy to get wrong. Too strong, too bitter, not their style. I'll explain how to stack the odds in your favour, whether the person is a novice or a fan.
Giving beer is, on paper, the perfect gift: it makes people happy, it's shared, and it doesn't gather dust on a shelf. But it's easy to miss: a 9% tripel for someone who mostly drinks light blondes, and your gift ends up forgotten at the back of the fridge. The good news is that with two or three pointers, you've got every chance of getting it right. The secret is to start from the person, never from your own favourite beer.
Don't know their favourite beers? Start from what they already like to eat or drink. Everyday tastes often give very good clues. Someone who loves coffee or dark chocolate will often enjoy a stout or a porter. Fans of citrus or fresh flavours are often won over by a NEIPA, very aromatic and usually low in bitterness. If the person leans towards desserts, caramel or toasted bread, steer towards a round, malty beer. Conversely, if they like light drinks, summer salads or delicate flavours, a witbier or a low-bitterness blonde will usually be a better fit.
You can also lean on their drinking habits. Fans of dry white wine often appreciate dry, thirst-quenching beers, like craft pils or some saisons. Those who like full-bodied reds or whisky frequently find themselves in stouts, stronger beers or barrel-aged ones. And fans of fruity cocktails or tart drinks are often won over by sours or fruit beers.
Of course, it's not an exact science, but it's an excellent starting point for finding a beer that suits them.
Case one, the most common: someone who thinks they don't like beer. Above all, forget the IPA: it risks being too bitter. Aim instead for soft, fruity, easy-drinking beers: a witbier, a light session, a rounder beer, or a NEIPA, very aromatic and generally softer than a classic IPA. Nine times out of ten, these people had simply never tasted anything but supermarket lager. You might just show them another side of beer.
Case two: the curious enthusiast, the one who already likes craft beer and wants to discover new styles. In that case, an assortment is often the best idea. Looking for that kind of gift? That's exactly what inspired our Discovery pack: six beers from our year-round range to explore different styles without breaking the bank.
Case three: the connoisseur, the one who's already tasted a lot. For them, bet on rarity rather than quantity. A limited release, a collab or a brew they won't find everywhere: it's the thought and the discovery that count. It's in that spirit that we designed our Novelty pack, gathering our six latest creations, some of them available for a limited time. And if you know they only swear by hops, an all-IPA pack is an excellent idea.
Case four: you want to make a statement for a birthday, a wedding, a farewell or another big event. In that case, think bigger than a single beer. A beer club subscription lets the pleasure carry on for several months. And if you're throwing a party, renting a tap is a great way to offer a real shared moment. You're no longer giving a beer, you're giving an atmosphere.
Bonus tip: a nicely presented six-beer pack always makes more of an impression than a single can, even if the beer inside is the same. The packaging matters too, especially when it's a gift.
Ultimately, the rule is simple: if you know their tastes, follow them. If you don't, go for discovery and assortment. And if you're still hesitating, write to us: helping you find the right gift is kind of our favourite sport.
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