Gift beer and gift cards for a beer-filled Christmas

Put away fake spider webs and Halloween pumpkins, we’re ready to open the doors to Christmas! And immediately a question arises: what to give friends and family this year?

Data from the Confcommercio Format Research 2023 Survey show a clear trend: Italians increasingly prefer to give food and wine products (72.27%), followed by toys (50.1%), personal care items (49.6%), and clothing (49.4%). This is a growing choice compared to 2022, reflecting the desire for quality gifts related to taste and well-being.

On the online shopping front, Christmas gift cards dominate (83.4%) along with streaming subscriptions (77.8%), with the Internet increasingly becoming the preferred channel for Christmas shopping, reaching 68.5% preference.

In this context, Maltese offers two perfect ideas for Christmas: craft beers as gifts and their gift cards. Now we’ll explain everything in detail!

Craft Beer: The Christmas Gift that Celebrates Quality and Tradition

Why Give Craft Beer for Christmas

Christmas is the celebration of togetherness, and craft beers are the perfect gift to bring friends and family together in moments of taste and sharing.

Advantages of beer as a gift:

• Quality: Excellent artisanal products
• Originality: A gift unlike any other
• Sharing: Perfect for Christmas toasts and dinners
• Variety: Styles for every taste
• Experience: A journey into the world of craft beer
• Tradition: Celebrate Italian and international beer traditions

Maltese’s Christmas Collection

This year, Maltese – the go-to e-commerce for craft beer lovers – launched the section dedicated to Christmas gifts with a wide range of gift beers and Christmas gift boxes, designed to satisfy every palate and celebrate Italian and international beer traditions.

What you’ll find in the Christmas collection:

1. Premium beer gift box:

• Curated selections of premium craft beers
• Belgian beers (Chimay, Orval, Westmalle, Rochefort)
• American IPA (West Coast, New England, Hazy)
• Stout and Porter (Imperial, Barrel-Aged, Coffee)
• German beers (Weizen, Bock, Dunkel)
• Italian beers (selected microbreweries)

2. Special Christmas editions:

• Christmas Ale (spiced holiday beers)
• Winter Warmer (dark and full-bodied beers)
• Seasonal limited editions
• Exclusive collaborations
• Barrel-aged beers

3. Beer Advent Calendar:

• 24 different beers to discover every day
• Curated selection of international styles
• Perfect for enthusiasts and beginners
• A daily discovery experience

Artisanal Christmas Sweets with Beer

In this Christmas collection, you’ll find gift boxes combining fine beers and special editions designed for Christmas. If you’re looking for something even more exclusive, Maltese also offers artisanal Christmas sweets like panettones made with paired craft beers, along with babà, baci di dama, and beer-based jams, available only on our e-shop.

Available artisanal sweets:

Panettones with beer:

• Artisanal panettone made with craft beer
• Perfect pairing with Belgian beers or stouts
• Exclusive recipe
• Elegant gift packaging

Beer babà:

• Babà soaked in craft beer syrup
• Balanced sweetness
• Perfect for after meals

Baci di dama:

• Artisanal cookies with beer notes
• Ideal to accompany coffee
• Gift packaging

Beer-based jams:

• Artisanal jams with craft beer
• Unique pairings (beer + fruit)
• Perfect with cheeses and desserts

Why Choose Craft Beer as a Gift

Choosing a craft beer as a Christmas gift is an original and classy idea, perfect for those who love quality products and want a gift that tells a story.

Advantages:

• Originality: A gift different from the usual wine or panettone
• Quality: Excellent artisanal products
• History: Every beer tells the brewery’s tradition
• Experience: A sensory journey into the craft world
• Sharing: Perfect for Christmas toasts and dinners
• Variety: Styles for every taste (light, dark, bitter, sweet)

Maltese Gift Card: The Freedom to Choose Your Favorite Beer

The Perfect Gift Dilemma

But what if you’re not an expert and the friend you want to gift the beers to is? No problem, you have two very convenient options: you can ask our beer sommeliers for advice or you can opt for a practical Christmas gift card, so the lucky recipient can choose what they prefer from our site.

When to choose the gift card:

• You don’t know the recipient’s tastes
• The recipient is a demanding expert
• Want to leave freedom of choice
• Last-minute gift
• Want to avoid the risk of giving the wrong gift

How the Maltese Gift Card Works

Leaving the pleasure of choice to the person receiving your gift is a wonderful idea, and in this sense, the Maltese Christmas gift cards are the ideal solution. With the gift cards available on the website, the recipient can explore the catalog and choose from the many craft beers available, selecting the products they prefer. Perfect for both beginners and connoisseurs, these gift cards allow for a truly personalized experience in the world of craft beers, whether to discover new flavors or to rediscover great classics.

Features of the Maltese Gift Card:

1. Freedom of choice:

• Over 700 labels to choose from
• Belgian, American, German, Italian beers
• Limited editions and exclusive collaborations
• Themed tasting boxes
• Accessories (glasses, coasters)

2. Instant delivery:

• Receive the gift card by email in seconds
• Perfect for last-minute gifts
• Printable or sendable directly to the recipient
• Eco-friendly (zero physical packaging)

3. Total flexibility:

• Denominations from €20 to €100
• Suitable for every budget
• Usable for one or multiple purchases
• Can be combined with other gift cards

4. No expiration:

• Use whenever you prefer
• No pressure to use it immediately
• Waits for new releases or seasonal beers
• Perfect for collectors

The Risk of the Wrong Gift

Think of the friend who loves strong flavors and drinks only IPA or double malt… who ends up unwrapping very light low-alcohol blondes (because maybe you like them!)... The Maltese gift cards eliminate the risk of choosing the "wrong" gift and also the difficulties related to shipping and delivery of packages.

Examples of wrong gifts avoided:

• IPA enthusiast receiving light and clear beers
• Stout lover receiving Pilsner
• Belgian collector receiving commercial beers
• Barrel-aged expert receiving standard beers

With the Maltese Gift Card, the recipient chooses exactly what they want!

Christmas Gift Ideas: Curated Boxes and Selections

Themed Gift Boxes

1. Belgian Beer Box:

• Selection of Trappist beers (Chimay, Orval, Westmalle)
• Dubbel, Tripel, Quadrupel
• Belgian glass included
• Tasting guide

2. American IPA Box:

• West Coast IPA, New England IPA, Hazy IPA
• Selection of USA microbreweries
• Tulip glass included
• Tasting notes

3. Stout and Porter Box:

• Imperial Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Coffee Stout
• Barrel-Aged and Pastry Stout
• Snifter included
• Recommended pairings

4. Christmas Beer Box:

• Christmas Ale, Winter Warmer
• Spiced and seasonal beers
• Christmas limited editions
• Elegant gift packaging

5. International Tasting Box:

• Beers from 5 different countries
• Various styles (Pilsner, Weizen, IPA, Stout, Saison)
• Beer map included
• Tasting sheets

Gifts for Different Profiles

For the curious beginner:

• Tasting box with various styles
• Beer style guide
• Tasting glasses
• Gift cards from €30-€50

For the expert enthusiast:

• Exclusive limited editions
• Barrel-aged beers
• Rare collaborations
• Gift cards from €75-€100

For the collector:

• Vintage beers
• Numbered editions
• Rare Trappist beers
• Gift card with no expiration

For those who love tradition:

• Classic Belgian beers
• Traditional German beers
• Historic English beers
• Box with brewery history

For those seeking novelty:

• Sour Ale and Wild Ale
• Experimental beers
• Innovative collaborations
• Gift card to explore

How to Choose the Perfect Gift

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do you know the recipient’s tastes?

• Yes: Choose specific beers or thematic box
• No: Opt for gift card or varied tasting box

2. Is the recipient an expert or a beginner?

• Expert: Limited edition, barrel-aged, rare beers
• Beginner: Tasting box, style guide, gift card

3. What is your budget?

• €20-€30: 3-4 craft beers or small gift card
• €30-€50: Tasting box or medium gift card
• €50-€100: Premium box or generous gift card
• €100+: Advent calendar or exclusive collection

4. When do you need to deliver the gift?

• Immediately: Digital gift card (instant delivery)
• Within 2-5 days: Beers or boxes (fast shipping)
• Take your time: Explore the Christmas collection

Advice from Maltese Beer Sommeliers

Free consulting service:

• Contact the Maltese beer sommeliers
• Describe the recipient and their tastes
• Receive personalized advice
• Choose the perfect gift

Christmas Gift Trends 2023-2024

Market Data

Food and wine products: 72.27% (growing)

Online gift cards: 83.4% (digital purchases dominate)

Online shopping: 68.5% (preferred method)

Why Beer and Gift Cards Are Perfect

Craft beer:

• Falls under food and wine products (growing trend)
• Quality and tradition
• Taste experience
• Sharing and conviviality

Gift card:

• Online purchases dominate (83.4%)
• Instant delivery
• Zero stress
• Freedom of choice

Conclusion: A Beer-Filled Christmas with Maltese

This year, choose Maltese for your Christmas gifts: whether you prefer selected craft beers, thematic gift boxes, artisanal sweets with beer, or digital gift cards, you will find the perfect solution for every loved one.

Summary of gift options:

• Craft beers: Over 700 premium labels
• Gift box: Curated thematic selections
• Special editions: Christmas Ale, Winter Warmer, limited edition
• Advent calendar: 24 beers to discover
• Artisanal sweets: Panettone, babà, jams with beer
• Gift card: Freedom of choice, no expiration

Visit the Maltese Christmas collection and discover all the gift ideas for a beer-filled Christmas! 🎄🍺🎁

Merry Christmas and good beer to everyone!