Beer has become one of the most popular drinks in the world. It’s one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world, is the most widely consumed and is third most popular after water and tea. Beer was first recorded in history as far back as the Mesopotamian era, a massive 3000 years BC, when cereal was first farmed. It’s been recorded in Egyptian, Greek and Roman history and has played a significant role in civilisations across time. There are a variety of different types, tastes and recipes, from larger and ale to stout and wheat and it’s simply enjoyed world-wide. Therefore, beer makes for the perfect present for friends and family and there are loads of ways to give beer gifts in the UK.

Giving beer as a gift for a birthday, at Christmas or another traditional day is a worthwhile idea, so long as you meet their taste. Beer can be an acquired taste, so it’s always good to get an idea of what they like before buying. Or, if it’s for a birthday, why not organise a trip down to the local pub? Getting a group of friends or co-workers together to each buy a drink for the birthday boy or girl would definitely ensure they had a great day. If it’s a success, then there’s always the chance it’ll happen to you!

Beer gifts can be presented and wrapped in special ways in order to make the best impact on the day. It might be an option to buy a special box or a casket, if the beer that’s bought is worth the extra presentation effort. There are a variety of gifts that would be great to give alongside a beer gift, if you’re looking to give more than the drink itself. For example, beer glasses can be personalised with names, faces and phrases for the personal touch and used for years to come. Or a beer keg could be used for celebrations on the day and parties in the future and they come in different shapes and sizes. A beer hat, complete with beer can holders and drinking straws are always a laugh or there’s always a novelty bottle opener – fun to have around and the more risqué ones are bound to be a conversation starter!

When buying beer gifts online, it’s always advisable to make sure it’s purchased from within the UK, as importing beer from another country brings strict custom measures and risk of breaking bottles or spoiling the contents. Delivery within the UK is often reasonable and there’s often the option for it to be gift-wrapped in a particular way. Or, alternatively, its worth searching online for companies and supermarkets within the UK who stock the beer you’re looking to give as a present and buying it in the shop, rather than having it delivered. However, buying online is also an easy method for finding the perfect gift that may not be easily found in the shops. Gifts bought online can be delivered straight to the door for a small delivery price and maximum ease. If the desire is to import beer from abroad, then it’s important to be familiar with importation rules, i.e. how much can be imported, how to do so and how much it could cost. Delivery charges will be a lot greater for imported beers so unless it’s imperative that the beer must be bought from another country, there are lots of quality beers that can be found in the UK.

Beer is becoming increasingly cheap to get in the UK. Obviously the receiver must be of legal age, which in the UK is 18, but if the present is for a student or a young adult then it is often a cheap gift to give, as the presentation isn’t so important. A crate given by a group of close friends to be shared is a great idea, and can be found in many high street food and drink retailers for as little as £10. However, if you have the money to spare, then there is a beer that costs over £500 per bottle called ‘End of History’ that is sure to go down well. It’s so expensive because only 11 bottles of it were produced and it has a strength of 55% - which is more than standard vodkas! Not only this, but the bottles are encased in a squirrel or a weasel stuffed by a taxidermist, all of which were road kill, so no harm was done to them. You know you’re important to someone when you receive an extremely strong beer, worth as much as a small second hand car and encased in the skin of a dead animal!