I’m a dad.
And I’m tired.
A lot of the time.
I’m not afraid to say it: I work hard. I’m not alone. Many dads work hard. We head off to work in the morning, grind out a day’s worth of work and return at night to a house full of kids running wild, dishes spilling over the sink and bedtime bugs that need to be wrangled. Our only refuge is our bed, a place we collapse at night, only to hit the reset button and do it all over again in five to six hours — if we’re lucky.
We’re dishwashing dynamos, elementary electricians, clumsy cooks. We help with spelling homework, give free horsey rides and try our best to help mom stay sane.
Because of that, don’t skimp on Dad next weekend. I’ve never received a tie or a pair of socks, but I couldn’t think of a less-inspired gift to give a dad.
A comfortable bed is of paramount importance to dads, so a new bed would be nice, but I’m guessing budget constraints are in place here. Movies are good for some dads, books better for others.
For me, it’s all about beer. Thankfully my family knows that and makes sure to give me some 22-ounce bottles of quality beer to help manage the daily anarchy. But there’s so much more than just a bottle of beer to give dad. Here’s a look at some great gift ideas for dad that go beyond the bottle.
Beer-centric cookbooks
Nothing goes better with a cold pint than some salty grub. Two recently released cookbooks are perfect for making food to pair with beer: “Beer Bites” by Andrea Slonecker and Christian DeBenedetti and “Frites” by Anne De La Forest.
“Beer Bites” has 65 recipes for dishes and appetizers that are paired with distinct beer styles. Enjoying a barleywine? Try the baby back ribs with burnt orange glaze recipe. Imperial IPAs, always in season in the Pacific Northwest, are big and bold, so DeBenedetti suggests pairing with a recipe for hoisin-glazed pork belly lettuce wraps. Each recipe also comes with recommendations for each style of beer. $24.95, chroniclebooks.com
For me, a big basket of crispy fries is always a perfect complement for a pint, and “Frites” doesn’t disappoint. With more than 30 recipes, from American-style skinny fries to English chips, “Frites” gives hopheads any number of choices to find a partner for their pale ale. There’s also a number of fun recipes for dipping sauces. $29.99, waterstones.com.
The Washington Pint
Don’t make dad drink his craft beer out of some dingy glass your kids were drinking apple juice out of the day before. Give him this handblown, 16-ounce pint glass with Mount Rainier carved into the bottom using USGS data. As he drinks his beer, the mountain grows … then woosh, drown the mighty volcano with another pint. Also available in Mount Hood or Half Dome. $45, northdrinkware.com.
Grand growlers
Growlers are a great way to transport your beer. Because you can get anything on tap, the variety of beer you can choose is greatly expanded and it’s easy to pack and share with friends. There are problems though. Heat and light, the enemies of beer, are usually more pronounced with growlers, and the beer can go flat quickly … especially if you alone are trying to put down the 64 ounces over a few days.
A pair of unique growlers solve some of those problems. The Stanley Classic Vacuum Growler keeps beer cold and fresh. The handle makes it easy to carry and pour, and the audible pop when you unlatch it is always fun. Get it embossed with your favorite brewery or bottleshop like Bothell’s Hop and Hound, which sells the growlers. $62, thehopandhound.com
GrowlerWerks’ uKeg 64 is on a whole different level. More of a mini keg than growler, the uKeg uses a carbon dioxide regulator cap and a double-wall vacuum insulated core to keep the beer fresher longer than any other growler. The dispenser tap pours beer easily and the brass handle adds a classy touch. $139, growlerwerks.com
Wooden beer crates
When Shane McDaniel, owner of Norm’s Market Keg &Bottleshop, had a fence get blown down in a recent wind storm he made the most of it. He turned the boards into wooden beer crates. The reclaimed wood is formed into rustic wooden crates that hold four 22-ounce bottles of beer. Stop by Norm’s, pick out four bottles and stick them in a crate. They’re the perfect vehicle for some special suds. $14.99 at Norm’s Market Keg &Bottleshop.
Backcountry beer
Imagine this: You’re on a hike deep in the woods and it’s sweltering in the afternoon sun. You finish your hike and it’s the perfect time for a cold beer. But instead of lugging a six pack, you’ve got a brewing system in your backpack.
Pat’s Backcountry Beverages has created a carbonated beverage system that includes brewing technology. Take a brew concentrate, choose between a pale ale, lager and black IPA, add water, carbonate and drink. It’s fairly simple, lightweight and ingenious. $49.95 for carbonator bottle starter kit and $9.99 for beer concentrate, patsbcb.com.
Support home brewers
It’s not quite a beer of the month club, but it’s close. Noble Brewer is a beer club that supports homebrewers. Sign dad up and he’ll receive a four-pack of select homebrewed beers made by homebrewers from around the country every three months. There are also other sample packs of beer from distinguished professional brewers from around the country. Subscriptions start at $44 per quarter, www.noblebrewer.com.
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