Cheers to the Perfect Gift: Holiday Ideas for the Craft Beer Enthusiast.

With the holidays right around the corner, you may be worried about last-minute gift ideas for the craft beer-loving enthusiast in your life. Luckily, there is a plethora of gift ideas to choose from. I will break down what I believe to be some of the best and most practical gift ideas this season.

Here are a few ideas that I would be thrilled to see under my tree Christmas morning.

Pour on the Style

Apparel from their favorite brewery is a thoughtful gift that shows you are in tune with their passion. This is a great way to support a small business while adding a personal touch to their wardrobe that connects them to the community. Breweries offer a selection of t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. The apparel is usually adorned with fun designs, clever sayings, or vintage graphics. I recently picked up a t-shirt from Marlowe Artisanal Ales that mimics the vintage Marborlo racing branding.

Give the Gift of a Perfect Pour

One of the most essential items for a craft beer enthusiast is the vessel in which they consume their favorite beverage. Glassware is a practical gift that every beer lover will enjoy. Sets of varying glasses are available to accommodate the different beer styles. For instance, IPA's aromas shine in a Belgian-style tulip glass; barleywines are better suited for snifter glasses. You can step up their drinking game by gifting them an appropriate glass highlighting the style they are sipping on.

Unwrapping a New Brew

There are numerous ways to give the gift of beer. If you know the gift receiver's favorite local brewery, you can buy an assortment of beers or a gift card. This ensures you gift something they are familiar with and enjoy while supporting a local business. If you are unfamiliar with their preferences, a subscription box from distributors such as Half Time Beverage is a good option. These subscription boxes are curated to include hard-to-obtain beers from breweries worldwide. You may help them discover a new favorite brew.

A Festive Beer For a Good Cause

Luna Claus Ringing In The Holiday Season

Santa Paws is a holiday ale that was a collaborative effort done by Wolf & Warrior Brewery, Decicco & Son's, Laura Damiano Designs, and Jessie Spellmann-Mignone of What's in Westchester, with proceeds going to the SPCA of Westchester. This second iteration of Santa Paws features can art done by Laura. A change from last year's label featuring Westchester landmarks, this year's snowy village comprises the businesses associated with the collaboration.  This holiday ale poured a nice amber color with a foamy cream-tinted head. With one sniff, you immediately pick up the malty bread notes. Tasting, you get hit with the malt flavors such as caramel first. A faint clove taste fades to a crisp and bitter, hoppy finish. This limited-edition brew is only available at five retailers. You can pick it up today at Decicco & Son's Milwood, Horse Feathers in Tarrytown, The Ambleside Pub in Mt. Kisco, The Green Growler in Hudson, and Wolf & Warrior in White Plains.

Let me know down below what gifts you have purchased for the craft beer enthusiast in your life. Slánte!

Exploring DeCicco & Sons: A Beer Lover’s Paradise

By Sean O'Carroll Wednesday, December 4, 2024

The Clurichaun Gets Lost In A Grocery Store

While I was gallivanting around in Armonk, I realized dinner was approaching. I had nothing to prepare for the evening. I walked through the town plaza to the Decicco and Sons. I began browsing the aisles in search of what to make myself for dinner. I came across their beer aisle, and the massive selection floored me. From local and regional breweries to international favorites, I'm reminded of that feeling of being in City Swiggers.

I must have spent nearly thirty minutes slowly examining each refrigerator, recognizing some local favorites, breweries I have visited, and ones I have never heard of. There was a section where you could pick out individual cans, then cans of 4 packs, then your standard six packs. You can tell how carefully curated the beer department is. What caught my attention was that DeCicco and Sons collaborated with a familiar brewery to make an Italian Pilsner. I decided to grab this collaboration and make pasta for dinner.

As I turned the corner to head to the pasta section, I came across a staircase labeled each step with a different brewery. My curiosity led me to follow the steps and discover their bottled conditioned section. Here, I found all sorts of barrel-aged imperial stouts, barley wines, and imported bottles. There were couches and a TV set up playing a college basketball game. A bar was set up in another room with numerous taps, and other customers enjoyed a mid-shopping brew. I will have to revisit when I am not so focused on dinner.

A Dynamic Pairing: A Grocery Store and Two Breweries

Decicco's, Three's Brewing, and Oxbow Brewing Company created "Yes And", a foeder-fermented Italian pilsner. The name comes from improv, which means accepting and building on what exists. This brew spent 4 weeks in oak with German Saphir hops and whole-leaf American Saaz. Coming in at a 5.3% ABV, I poured the pint can into a glass mason to the typical clear, bright golden hue one would expect from a pilsner. There are florally hops in the aromatics. "Yes And" has a balanced hoppy taste with a hint of lemon that lays over challah bread like sweetness from the malts. This is very light-bodied, with a decent amount of carbonation. Crisp and refreshing, "Yes And" is an easy drinker that I paired with spaghetti and meatballs.

What are some of your favorite food pairings with beers? Comment below!

The Clurichaun Tips His Hat

By Sean O'Carroll Wednesday, November 25, 2024

Gratitude in a Glass: A Thanksgiving Reflection

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we reflect on what we are thankful for. This clurichaun wants to take a moment to reflect on the profound sense of belonging and unity that the craft beer community brings. There is much to appreciate, from the growing number of breweries to the artisanal techniques that go into each batch. I want to highlight a few things for which I am grateful.

I am thankful to the bartenders and servers for their role in the craft beer community. Their hospitality and knowledge are the foundation of our experiences. Feeling welcomed while being informed about a brewery's different offerings can help anyone, from a craft beer newbie to an enthusiast like myself, make the right decision in drink choice. I have had many insightful conversations that helped me discover new styles I otherwise may have overlooked.

I'm incredibly grateful for the talented brewers in the Hudson Valley. Each brewer takes a different approach, experimenting with ingredients and brewing techniques. Their passion and creativity have led to a fantastic variety, ensuring something for every palate. The brewer's commitment to establishing an identity for the brewery must be noticed.

Lastly, I want to thank the farmers who supply fresh ingredients that make our favorite beers possible. With their hard work and dedication, breweries have the barley, hops, and wheat to craft these brews. Every beer we enjoy is a testament to their commitment to quality and sustainable agriculture.

A Fruity Medley to Compliment Turkey Dinner

Thanksgiving has become synonymous with togetherness, a great meal, football, and, of course, beer. I want to share a captivating brew that will make you the holiday star. Orchard by Tin Barn Brewing has the right flavor profile to be an excellent pairing for Thanksgiving.

Orchard is a fruited sour with a 5.4% ABV. I picked up a pint can from the brewery to bring home. The canning date was October 23, 2024. I served myself Orchard in a double-walled glass tumbler. I poured, to my amazement, an apple cider-like liquid. The golden amber hue is cloudy, making it difficult to see through the glass. On the immediate nose, I get what I can describe as peach-flavored candies. There is going to be a lot of sweetness with this drink. Upon my first sip, this is quite the juicy beer. Not only does it resemble apple cider in appearance, but it feels like it, too. There is a light carbonation as I swallow the first sip. I am getting more apple notes and finishing with a crisp pear taste. Orchard would be a memorable choice to share with friends and family.

Let me know in the comments what you will be toasting with this holiday.

Sláinte!