Holiday Beer Buying Guide for Beginners

When you're on your way to see family and old friends for the holidays, the last thing you want to stress out about is what to bring. You are already getting the 9th degree of what you've been doing with your life the last year, who you're dating, why you're putting up with that soul-sucking job, when will you pop the question to your girlfriend of 5 years... Chances are you're already pretty stressed out and what better way to lubricate the situation than with a little booze.

Here's a few tips for the beginner on bringing beer to your holiday table.

Don't Be A Scrooge
This is not the time of year to grab a 30-rack, or a 12-pack of aluminum bottles. If you're looking to save a little money check out some of the beers in the bombers ( 22oz bottles) section. During this time of year they have holiday beers that are usually spiced with a heavier alcohol and flavor profile. If you're looking to splurge check out a Magnum (1.5L) or Jeraboam (3L bottles)-- these beers are great for parties or if your host or hostess is a connoisseur these are great for cellaring 'till next year.

Go Local
Skip BevMo and go to the bottle shop down the street. The guys there will be knowledgeable and able to help you pick out a good beer to go with your meal as well as let you know new beers and special releases that are around just for the season.

From The Source
The best beer is usually fresh beer, and during the holidays fresh hop beer is king. If you live near a brewery go in and ask if they have any wet hop or fresh hop beer you can get in a growler (refillable 64oz glasses from the brewery). It goes with well with stinky cheeses and mild meats and is perfect for a course of canapes.

Hostess Gifts 
Proper glassware is always a plus whether you're at a restaurant or enjoying a "brewski" at home. Grab a set of tulip glasses on your way out of the bottle shop or brewery for your hostess to enjoy the beer you brought. The right glass increases your enjoyment by opening up the aromas and like a wine, allowing the flavor profile to open up and relax.

The most important part of buying beer is to have a little fun, if you see Santa's Butt-- buy it! Drinking should be enjoyable

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A Bottle Shop in Mendocino?

Fondly called the “Meat Market” or “The Deli,” Mendocino Market has been an integral part of village life since 1998. Back in High School I was buying 50c pork buns and “The best sandwiches in town” on a regular basis, but now with a more refined pallet to bring I realize that they have far more to offer than just awesome sandwiches and Asian-style snacks. Mendocino Market not only has amazing daily specials in the gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian and organic department, but they are the first and only bottle shop in town to carry more than just the local favorites. From Firestone Walkers Parabola and Firestone's latest anniversary edition ale, to Deschutes: The Stoic, or collaborative efforts like “Life and Limb;” if you're looking for a big beer to cellar, (or just to celebrate with now), The Market just became the place to find whatever it is you fancy. If you are planning the great “California Brewery Roadtrip” and are going to NCBC as many of you (should) do, or even if you're a local and didn't notice the big refrigerators filled with organic sodas and craft beer, take an eye-opening moment to check out what's behind the glass next time you're waiting for your non-GMO, free-range turkey sammich with double bacon--you'll like what you find, trust me.

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Total Wine is Totally Beer-Central

If you haven't been there yet there's no better time than the present! It's all in the name Total Wine, a store meant to drive sales towards wine, which they have an abundant selection of.

Six-Pack holders make a tasting party a breeze!

However, something that you may not know is their gem of a craft beer selection hidden beneath the flurry of white shirts and yellow tags! It is hard to compete with Hi-Time Cellars in Costa Mesa and small beer shops however Total Wine comes dangerously close with their selection of both imported and domestic craft beers and as for other Big Box stores, they haven't a chance! They carry everything local from The Bruery to Bootleggers, and distant brews such as Baltika and Taj Mahal, which makes it great for doing style tastings and regional tastings as well. Have I mentioned the brilliance of their singles isle? They have a build your own six-pack option where you can make your own six-pack from the singles isle--combine that with the coupon and you have a great deal. Total Wine for such a large company truly tries to stay on top of trends so they have rarities like BrewDog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin and Sink The Bismark and they keep a generally healthy supply of Pliny the Elder and Sculpin. Be sure to ask if you can't find anything, they have a supply of vertical beers in the back which vary from store to store (the latest I've found was a '06 Double Bastard) as well as limited supply beers like The Dissident. Total Wine makes it super easy to put together a tasting party!!! I would advise caution however when purchasing the Total Wine specific Brewery Direct beers, many of their ratings are inconsistent and misleading especially when compared to truly highly rated beers. They have locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, and from Florida all the way up to New Jersey! If you want a very good picture of what is possible to obtain for beer in your area Total Wine is a really good place to start.

Check out their twitter @Total_Wine_Beer

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