Feature: Holiday Gift Guide 2013

The Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook

Maple Smoky Beer Nuts? Witbier Onion Rings? Steak and Ale Pie? IPA Ice Cream? Spiced Ale Brownies? Hopped Gin and Tonic? Check.

These beer-themed indulgences from Torontonian author David Ort are just some of the 75 recipes in his new Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook. Ort’s recipes provide a quick history and summary, easy-to-follow instructions, and solid justification behind his ingredient selections. Each recipe is paired with a complementing Canadian craft beer. We can’t wait to concoct the Hopped Gin and Tonic for our holiday guests. $18.77 – indigo.ca

Beer Savers

Were you a little overzealous taking on that 9% Uranal Stout yourself? Save it for tomorrow with help from the re:cap – a clever silicone bottle cap designed to help preserve a beer’s freshness and carbonation until the next day.

Available in multiple colours – we opted for the His-and-Hers version (blue and pink). $3.99 for 6 – campcanadian.com

CRAP Beer Carrier

All about reusing the waste left over from brewing beer, the Craftbrewers Recycled Art Project (CRAP) makes bottle and growler carriers out of recycled malt bags.

We especially like this 6-bottle carrier for taking an assortment of beers to your friend’s house, or simply doing your beer store run.Bonus: everything is hand made in Guelph, Ontario. $12.00 – brewerscrap.com

The BROpener

This clever little gadget sticks to most surfaces with double sided tape, allowing you to do the “bottleslam” opening technique without damaging your countertop. Stick it on your kitchen counter, fridgedoor, even the bumper of your car! Bonus feature: the opener is magnetic and catches the cap, so you don’t have to pick it up off the floor.

If you’re not convinced of how cool you will be if you have one, check out the video. US$16 – thebropener.com

Randall Jr. 

Do you have an idea for a wild new beer but don’t want to deal with the mess and time needed for home brewing? Whip up a 16oz sample with the Randall Jr from Dogfish Head.

Essentially a tea infuser for beer, just fill with your favorite (or least favorite) beer and spruce it up with whatever spices, fruits and flavours you desire. Pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes – and presto! You’ve just created an original brew. US$19.99 – dogfish.com

Toronto Brewing Gift Card

For the aspiring or seasoned home brewer, a gift card from homebrew shop Toronto Brewing fits the bill. Available in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations, there’s an amount for every budget. $10-$100 – torontobrewing.ca

Hummingbird Homestead Beer Soap

Available in flavours such as Grand River Pugnacious Pale Ale or Stone Hammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout, these beer soap bars from Hummingbird Homestead will have you smelling of fresh wort all day. Bonus: for every bar sold, they will plant a tree. $Various – facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Homestead-Soap

OCB Brewmaster’s Choice Discovery Six Pack

The Ontario Craft Brewers brings together six great craft beers in their Brewmaster’s Choice Discovery Six Pack which includes Amsterdam Natural Blonde Lager, Cameron’s Auburn Ale, Lake of Bays 10 Point India Pale Ale, Muskoka Twice as Mad Tom IPA, Nickel Brook Bolshevik Bastard Imperial Stout, Wellington County Dark Ale.

A great segway sampler for anyone new to Ontario craft beer. $13.50 – lcbo.com < Check store inventory.