Shopping for people who have interests or hobbies that you’re not familiar with can be stressful. It’s difficult to know what they may already have, what they would want, what products are mere novelties, and what’s really quality. Here at Fifth Season Gardening we’re constantly helping guide folks through this arduous process, and we relish any opportunities to share our knowledge and experience to the benefit of our customers. In that spirit we have put together a collection of items that we feel will relieve some of the pressure during this holiday season.
Our Top Picks
Propper Starter Canned Yeast Starter 4-pack
Making a yeast starter is a great way to improve most batches of beer, and I’m constantly advising homebrewers to make one the day before they brew. However, we all agree that they’re a big pain, and whipping one up is nobody’s idea of a good time. Canned yeast starters make this process a breeze! All you have to do is pop the can, add it to a sanizited vessel, mix in an equal amount of water, and pitch your yeast. All of a sudden a 30 minute process is wrapped up in 5. The Propper Starter Canned Yeast Starter is made by Omega Yeast Labs (keep an eye out for their yeast in stores!) and is a great gift for any brewer at any level.
Double-Walled Stainless Steel Growler
These stainless steel growlers are a big improvement over their glass forebears and offer many big benefits. First off, these growlers are double-walled and designed to insulate much better than glass, keeping your beverage cold for hours! Secondly, stainless steel is completely impervious to light, and this helps protect beers (especially hoppy ones!) from the negative effects of “light strike”. Third, glass is a big no-no in many situations. These metal growlers are great for trips to the pool, the beach, camping, hiking, and more! All of this combined with the Double-Walled Stainless Steel Growler’s very affordable price makes for a no-brainer.
Recipes
In a way, recipes are probably the safest bet for any brewer. The one thing that every brewer will always need is something to brew next. So, how about you set them up with a recipe and ingredients for their next batch. Take the hassle out of planning their next batch of homebrew and give them what they need to brew one up at their leisure. Just check out the Recipes page on our website, pick one that looks good, and bring it to your local Fifth Season Gardening! We have all the grains, hops, and yeast you’ll need to put together the perfect batch.
Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil
The Brewer’s Edge Mash and Boil has been one of the more exciting products that we’ve picked up in the past year or so. I’m a huge fan of what all this brewing system allows for and how approachable the price tag is. The Mash and Boil features a boil kettle and mash tun all in one (and a fermentor with the right lid!) without obligating you to expensive features like a built in pump or wort chiller. This unit is great for people who want to start out brewing all-grain, who might have less space to work with, or want the convenience of electric brewing. I write this as snow slides off of my roof, and knowing that I could brew up a batch of beer in my laundry room right now is a big plus to this system. Check out our review on our Blog!
Speidel Fermentors
I’ve long been a huge fan of the Speidel fermentors and recently added yet another to my collection of fermentors. These fermenting vessels come complete with a number of beneficial features that make them well worth the investment. Each Speidel comes with a set of built in handles, a wide and narrow mouth, included oversized bung and airlock, built in spigot, and numerous available accoutrement. For me, the fact that I can transfer or sample my beers without having to go through a bunch of steps is well worth it. Not to mention the ability to move them full without purchasing a separate carrying system, or cleaning them without brushes or long soaks. We recommend either the 20L or 30L size for most brewers.
Gift Cards
Gifts Cards are always a great choice for those situations when you’re not sure what to do or what to get for the brewers on your lholiday shopping ist. Just grab them a Gift Card and send them on in to pick out or order whatever their heart desires. We’ll be sure to take great care of them! Who knows? Maybe they’ll even discover another hobby!
If you’re looking for something that isn’t on this list or you would just like some help shopping for someone with brewing interests then feel free to shoot us an email! We’re always happy to assist.
Paul Quenneville says
I was in a few weeks ago and talked to someone who was very well informed on the whole brewing process. I failed to get his name. Could you inform me of his name as I want to come in and talk more. Thanks
ashley says
Hey Paul, which store did you visit, so we can make sure we let you know the right person? Glad we could help you out when you came in!