Some gifts keep on giving, and some gifts taste good. This holiday season, try giving the gift of beer. Of course, we’re not talking about wrapping up a 30-rack of Beast Ice or Keystone, that is, unless you don’t like the gift recipient.

An easy gift for a beer lover is the brewery sampler. To give someone a taste of Central New York, Middle Ages Brewing and Ithaca Beer Company offer mixed 12-packs for about $15 at the Party Source on Erie Boulevard. Sam Adams and Saranac also offer winter-themed samplers for $14 and $12, respectively, that are typically available at any beer outlet.

For a more awe-inspiring gift, go Belgian. Most good beer stores carry a selection of Belgians, many available in impressive 750-milliliter corked bottles. Some of the more common and delicious breweries are Chimay and Duvel. Their beers, depending on strength, can range from $7 to $12 but are well worth the money. Unibroue and Ommegang also make excellent Belgian-style beer in nearby Cooperstown and Quebec, Canada.

It’s hard to go wrong if you decide to buy Belgian, unless you get Stella. Most Belgian beers, light or dark, will feature spicy and fruity flavors that would win nearly anyone over. If you want to surprise someone who thinks they don’t like beer, try Lindeman’s Framboise. Although a bit thick, this low-alcohol raspberry beer makes Sam Adams Cherry Wheat look like Bud Light.

If you’re shopping for a beer aficionado, there are a few special beers available for the man or woman who’s tried everything. Samichlaus Bier, made in Austria by Castle Eggenberg, was formerly the world’s strongest beer at 14 percent alcohol by volume. Brewed only one day a year, a four-pack of this fruity, caramel, and whisky-like drink can cost up to $20.

For those who demand nothing but the best, there are the rare beers of Brouwerij Westvleteren. Run by monks, the brewery is considered by many to make the best beer in the world. Bottling only three different beers, its flagship and most sought is its quadrupel-style brew simply called Westvleteren 12. Unfortunately, the monks of the brewery only sell their beer out of the monastery, making eBay about the only outlet for purchasing a bottle. And while the legality of purchasing beer through eBay is a bit ambiguous, this velvety smooth beer can be found for $10 to 20 apiece, plus shipping.

More good beer guidance and store listings can be found on beeradvocate.com or ratebeer.com. If you decide to try good beer over the holidays, just remember to taste it. There’s more than alcohol in the bottle.

Published on December 5, 2006 at 12:00 pm