7 Tips for Choosing Beer for Your Gift Basket

September 01, 2020

Give the gift of beer!

A carefully curated gift basket of beer is a perfect gift for friends, family, or coworkers.

But how do you know which beers to choose?

Not everyone has the exact same taste when it comes to beer, but these 7 tips will help you choose the right beers for a well-received gift basket.

1. Look Local

Beer enthusiasts appreciate locally brewed beer, especially when it is something that is not sold outside that region. Take some time to research beers that have good reviews from the locals living in the area.

Whether it's a small town or a major city, chances are there is a favorite local brew. If not, think about finding a beer from a place that is memorable or significant for the person receiving the gift basket. 

Maybe it's a birthday beer brewed in the city they were born, or a graduation gift from the college town they graduated from, or even an anniversary gift with beers from the city where you and that special someone first met. Get creative with it!

2. Ask an Expert

If you are looking to put together the beer basket yourself and are visiting the store in person, you can always ask for help. If you have an idea of the style of beer you are looking for (light, dark, hoppy, rich, etc.) a beer expert should be able to help you out.

If you are going shopping for beers to put in a gift basket, try out a craft brew store. Those employees tend to be more passionate and knowledgeable about their inventory. 

There are also plenty of online resources to research craft beers and compare prices, styles, and popularity.

3. Keep It Simple

If you are unsure of the style or brand beer to put in your basket, you can always choose a pre-curated sampler pack, like this birthday beer gift basket.

This way, you can avoid the decision-making yourself and rely on the craft beer experts to put together a sample of different, popular beers. Tasting different beer can be a fun activity for the new and experienced beer drinker.

4. Stick to a Style

On the other hand, if you do know what style of beer you are looking for in a gift basket, you can pick beers that all fit the same mold.

For example, if you are buying a gift basket for an IPA lover, try a variety pack of just IPA beers. 

If you're buying beer for someone that is loyal to one specific brand, you can still find a gift basket online with their favorite beer brand. These all one brand gift baskets elevate your present from just a six-pack to a personal gift set with a bottle opener or other beer-related swag.

5. Presentation is Important

Choosing the perfect beer gift basket goes beyond just the beer brands or flavors of beers. The presentation is also a key component. Whether it is a holiday present or a corporate gift basket, the first thing the recipient will notice is how the basket looks. 

If you are putting together the gift basket yourself you should plan to buy a nice basket, bucket, or box to hold the beers. (Also make sure it is sturdy enough to carry the weight of the contents).

In addition to the basket, you may need tissue paper, straw, foam, or some other accessory to stuff the basket. This not only adds to the appearance but it prevents the beers from rolling around or getting shaken up when you carry it.

If you are purchasing a beer gift basket online, take a good look through the pictures and the list of what is included in the basket.

6. Don't Forget the Logistics

Let's talk about logistics. First, you may be wondering how much money a typical beer gift basket will cost. The truth is that it depends on the number and type of beers in the basket as well as your shipping preferences.

Generally, beer baskets can range in price from about $80 to $150 and shipping cost is about $15 to $20. Shipping time may vary depending on where you are sending the basket, so if you want to ensure on-time arrival, you should plan your purchase ahead of time.

Also, all alcohol purchases being delivered require a signature from an adult over the age of 21. So, if you are sending the gift basket to someone's home you may want to double-check that they will be around to sign for it. The easier option is to send to a corporate or work address.

There are certain states with strict shipping regulations and therefore gift baskets cannot be sent to those states.

Planning ahead and doing your research will ensure that your basket is delivered on-time and just the way you wanted it.

7. Broaden Your Gift Basket

If you are looking for a unique gift basket but want to stay away from traditional cans or bottles of beer, you can also get gift baskets with hard seltzer!

These hard seltzers are a light and refreshing replacement for a traditional beer perfect for a day or lawn games or lounging at the beach. Or, consider bringing a hard seltzer gift basket to the next barbeque you're invited to!

And if hard seltzer still isn't quite what you're looking for, there are also wine or sparkling wine gift baskets as well as baskets that come with pretzels and other tasty snacks.

Pick, Ship, and Sip

Now that you have an idea of how to choose beer for your gift basket, it's time to start shopping! Picking just the right beers will show that you put thought and effort into finding the perfect gift.

Remember to consider brand, flavor, budget, and logistics when you choose your basket.

If you want to read more helpful beer info, check out some of our other blogs!

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