Seasonal Beers For Gifts

Along with chilly weather comes rich comfort foods and fragrant spices. Imagine your favorite holiday snacks: gingerbread, apple cider, apple cinnamon tea, flavored lattes, and apple pie. All of these share the rich, heavy aroma that we commonly associate with the holiday season. As the seasons change into fall, bakeries and coffee shops bring back their seasonal menu items. On a crisp, cold morning, nothing curbs a craving like a mug of hot apple cider or a warm cinnamon scone. When we frequently think of sweets and hot libations when we think of seasonal foods, another favorite that comes to mind is seasonal beers. While a coffee drinker might look forward to the return of their favorite pumpkin spice latte, a beer fanatic may wait diligently for the reintroduction of their favorite oktoberfest beer. In 2008, seasonal beers were the top selling craft beer in the US. There is certainly something to be said for the impression seasonal food and beverages may have on our holiday spirit. The idea of beer and food pairing is especially relevant with holiday and seasonal beers, since they are normally seasoned differently than their year round alternatives. To comprehend the best way of pairing seasonal beers, it is important to know the various types that are out there. Oktoberfest beers are often aged and as a result possess a robust flavor. These pair best with beefy meat dishes such as steak and potatoes. Harvest ales are made with seasonal spices and ingredients. These bold flavors pair well with the bold, rich foods the holidays are known best for. I’m certain you can place a few bets as to which foods pair well with a pumpkin beer. Pumpkin is really a very neutral ingredient and lends itself to making for a good ale or lager. These beers pair well with lighter meats such as pork and chicken along with seasonal vegetables such as corn and squash. It also pairs well with pumpkin pie. At Baskets By Rita we know a thing or two about pairing good beers with luxury foods. Any of our seasonal beer baskets come with an assortment of cheese, crackers, chocolates, and sausages paired to awaken your taste buds. Take for example our Birthday Beer Basket. This is the perfect birthday gift for that special guy or gal who enjoys great beer. Our heavy willow basket is filled with a 6 pack of assorted Colorado Micro brew, chip and salsa, assorted nuts, beef jerky, Jelly Belly candy, cheese and crackers, snack mix and more. Send our Birthday Beer Gift Basket filled with everything needed to celebrate their special day.. If you would like to give a unique, personalized gift this holiday season, why not think about sending a beer basket? I can’t imagine a better treat for curling up by the fire place and savoring good foods than cracking open a cold, Oktoberfest beer and consuming the bliss and warmth of the season. Happy holidays! If you found this article interesting or know of someone else who could find it helpful, please don’t hesitate to pass it on via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Thanks a ton!  http://twitter.com/basketsbyrita http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baskets-By-Rita/138008009558273