Wacky Craft Beer Gifts Guide: Outdoors/Sports
If you’ve ever been to the Harpoon Brewery 5-miler or their Brewery-to-Brewery bicycle race (sorry for the regional bias, we are from Boston after all), you know that craft beer often goes hand-in-hand with sports and the outdoors. Some of the biggest outdoorsmen (and women) we know love to crack open a can of their favorite ale or lager after hiking up a mountain or enjoy a draft pint after skiing down one. We started out this series of articles talking about craft beer stocking stuffers and craft beer gifts for pets, but we’re going to finish it up with gifts for the outdoors enthusiast in your life!
First and foremost, you have got to get your gear to wherever you’re going! In some cases, that means hauling a trailer with you because those snowmobiles, dirt bikes or what-have-you aren’t going to transport themselves. But we know that your trailer hitch isn’t always occupied. In that vein, we suggest capping it with something to show your craft beer pride. This gargoyle hitch cap from Stone Brewing Company lets the guy behind you know that "he’s not worthy..." Also, as an added bonus, when you get to your destination you won't need a bottle opener because this trailer hitch cover doubles as one (just remember, NEVER drink craft beer and drive).
If you’re looking for a way to find craft beer drinkers, just head to the nearest ski mountain lodge and find the bar. The hardcore ski bums will be the ones drinking whatever’s local on tap. If you’ve got one of those guys or girls in your life, you’re nodding your head right now. For them, we have two great gifts. First, let them show off their pride for one of Vermont’s finest craft breweries with a pair of Long Trail Brewing Company ski goggles. Then, after the sun goes down, the slopes have cleared and everyone has had a few local brews, break out this beautiful and classic flyer runner sled from Sierra Nevada. You’ll need those goggles as you're heading down the deserted slopes face first on this bad boy!
If your craft beer buddy has a need for speed, but doesn’t like the chill, check out these bicycle accessories from Oskar Blues Brewery in Colorado. There are few things better in life than a Dale’s Pale Ale after a long bike ride, and now you can show it while you’re on your bike too. Matching bike socks and a long sleeve bike jersey, both featuring the brewery that brought cans back to being cool, show your love of brew. Keep that cold can of Dale's in mind while flying past those other suckers on the last hill!
Finally, for those who enjoy the outdoors but at a... well, shall we say... slower pace? We have some great golf equipment we found in our search for interesting craft beer gifts. This golf bag from Otter Creek Brewing features everything you could need to play a round of 18, including a “water bottle holster” (we bet a bottle of Otter Creek’s finest ale would fit nicely). And, in case it rains during play and you have to make an early retreat to the 19th hole, check out this golf umbrella from Brooklyn Brewery. You can only hope they have a beer to match some of your equipment in the club house!
Well, hopefully we’ve helped you find some gifts for those craft beer lovers in your life! If all else fails, you can always get them a subscription to one of the many beer of the month clubs out there. We’ve compared a whole bunch for you and even have some beer of the month club reviews (including for the always delicious Rare Beer Club) so that you know you’re only getting the best for those you love. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and enjoy some stout and barleywine now that the weather has cooled off. Cheers!
