Local Foodie Gifts – Festive Tipple

So…we’ve now had hampers, restaurant vouchers and gifts for those with a sweet tooth. Alcohol-related gifts are always popular, and are catered for well by Bristol and the surrounding area, as the below post hopefully proves…

Beer

Those buying for beer lovers need look no further than the Bristol Beer Factory. The Southville-based brewery has an extensive gift shop, offering a variety of beers and beer-related gifts.

Fans of the brewery may appreciate a BBF keyring or brewery-branded pint glasses, while those who enjoy a slice of cheese with their pint will enjoy the paired beer and cheese gift sets: the result of a collaboration between Bristol Beer Factory and Trethowan’s Dairy.

Mixed cases of BBF beers are also available, or if there’s a particular variety that the recipient enjoys, then these are are available in bottles or 18 pint boxes. Or, for a true taste of Christmas, opt for bottled Bristletoe – a special festive beer spiced with orange peel, coriander and ginger.

Bath Ales also offer a variety of gift options. As well as being available in 500ml bottles, the brewery’s products can also be bought in 9 pint microcasks, 36 pint beer boxes or even (if you contact the brewery directly) 72 pint casks.

Again, fans of the brewery may like Bath Ales merchandise such as t-shirts, keyrings, hoodies, beanies and umbrellas. Gift packs can be made to order, with either three bottles and a pint glass, or four bottles. And Bath Ales have their own seasonal ale: Festivity, with malted barley, roasted chocolate malt, and hops from Kent.

Cider

I know I’m mentioning them a lot…but the Bristol Cider Shop really is the best place to buy gifts for cider lovers! With around 40 bottled ciders on offer, and at least five on draught (which are regularly rotated) there should be something for everyone. Other products such as cider chutneys, vinegars and brandy are also available…and if you find that there are too many items that your gift recipient would enjoy, then ask Nick and Peter to make up a customised hamper for you from products sold in store!

Herefordshire-based Westons are also doing their bit for the festive season with their Cider Twist Winter Spice variety. Described as “a rich and flavoursome still cider, blended with cinnamon, ginger and cloves for a spicy warming finish”, this can be drunk either cold or warm. I used this variety warm for a pre-Christmas gathering at mine…however, I recommend that unless you have a VERY sweet tooth, you combine with an equal quantity of dry cider to tone down the sweetness.

Wine

The South West has several vineyards producing British wines – either available from the vineyard itself. For more information and links to individual vineyards’ websites, check http://www.englishwineproducers.com/swvineyard.htm.

As an alternative gift for wine lovers, how about buying an annual membership of The West Of England Wine And Spirit Association? Membership costs only £20 per year, and benefits include wine tastings, wine tours, networking opportunities, discounted education courses and regular wine industry news bulletins.

A wine course or tasting evening can also make a great gift. As a starting point, have a look at the Wine Unearthed or Bristol Wine School websites for gift ideas…

As ever, if you come across any other local alcohol-related gifts that you think should be featured in the above post, let me know in the comments box below! 🙂