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Tastings: Don't cry in your beer over what to get Dad
By Lisa Ramirez June 15, 2008
When it comes to gifts for Father's Day, we all
want to get Dad something he'll love. So we wander the malls and the sporting good stores and the home improvement centers
searching for a new tie, a new golf club, a new power tool, hoping to find the perfect gift. But
shopping for Father's Day doesn't have to be complicated. Here's why: Men love beer. So we asked Kevin Burns, the beer expert at Aroma Thyme Bistro, to suggest some last-minute gifts for
beer-loving dads. "Mixed beer packs are an ideal gift for Dad on Father's Day," Burns
says. "There are quite a few local New York breweries that sell mixed packs, which allow him to taste different styles." Here are his top three picks, most of which should be available at your neighborhood beverage shop. If
you can't find these specific gift packs, your local merchant can help you make a selection or put together your own mix. Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown released a gift pack celebrating its 10th anniversary. The pack offers a 750
ml bottle of Three Philosophers (Ommegang's Belgian-style Quadrupel), Hennepin and Chocolate Stout as well as an Ommegang
Beer Glass. "The Hennepin is a saison style that is perfect for the upcoming months," Burns says. "The Three
Philosophers and the Chocolate Stout are great for pairing with dessert or to be shared with friends." The
Southern Tier Brewing Co. in Lakewood offers a mixed six-pack with three of its beers; India Pale Ale, Phin and Matt's
Extraordinary Ale. "The India Pale Ale is crisp and balanced with a nice finish," Burns says. "The Extraordinary
Ale is my favorite here and is a great session beer." Brooklyn Brewery offers a 12-bottle mixed
pack that includes three 12 ounce bottles of its Brooklyn Brown Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn East India Pale Ale, and Brooklyn
Pennant Ale '55. "The Brooklyn mixed pack offers the most diverse selection of styles with the Pennant Ale, East
India Pale Ale and the Lager all being very good warm-weather beers," Burns says.
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