Monthly Archives: January 2018

What Your Favorite Type Of Beer Says About Your Personality

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Beer growlers

What does your favorite type of beer say about you? You may not think much of it, but alcohol is deeply intertwined with our personality and can really bring out the best in us. Whether it’s sipping a cold beer among friends at your favorite downtown bar or mixing up a fun drink to impress a date before you Netflix and chill, a good buzz can perk up just about anyone. The United States, just like any other country, has its own unique take on alcohol. This translates into an insulated growler that can be taken on a camping trip without a drop in temperature or quality beer gifts from independent breweries that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

If you want to know if an insulated growler or beer carbonation chart could make a great gift for a friend or family member, the list below is for you.

They Appreciate The Change In The Seasons

Some live in a very consistent climate. When the seasons change, it’s subtle and very easy to overlook. Others get to experience the full might of spring, summer, fall and winter. A study on craft beer consumers in the United States found nearly 85% of respondents saying they like to choose their beer depending on what season it is. This can translate into a light lemon beer for the summer, a dry cider for the fall or a hearty ale for the winter. Pumpkin spice is a fantastic flavor to herald the arrival of October and more people than ever are starting to appreciate the subtle sweetness of honey and apple.

They Prefer To Drink With Friends, Family Or Co-Workers

A good way to know if an insulated growler will make a keen gift is whether or not the person in question is a fan of social drinking. The vast majority of people much prefer to drink with good company and a great way to breathe life into any party is to look into awesome growlers that can hold a heavy load. A recent study on American consumers aged 21 years or older found the average regular drinker consuming 27 gallons of beer or cider during 2015. Another Gallup poll conducted back in 2016 saw 40% of legal drinkers preferring beer over wine or spirits.

They Like To Appreciate And Promote Local Businesses

The American craft beer market is worth nearly $24 billion and is home to some of the most talented and experienced artisans in the world. Over 85% of all the beer produced in the country is done domestically and a great vacation idea for the frequent drinker is to stop by popular cities on the West and East coast to try out all the local varieties. Small and independent craft brewers represent a hefty 12% of the market share and your best beer growler will supplement special blends quite well.

They Are A Huge Beer Lover And Want To Decorate Their Home

It’s easy to find some good beer gifts if you have a friend or family member with a favorite brand. This way you can not just get them a 64 ounce growler to introduce at their next party, you can supplement it with additional gifts to round out the gesture. Guinness, for example, is well-known throughout the world for its frothy top and devoted fanbase. Try finding a growler beer that can compliment a beautiful poster, a pair of classy mugs or a bottle cap remover.

How To Find The Best Custom Growlers

The best beer growler should be made of a sturdy material, able to withstand repeated trips throughout the party, the van and the sink. Some are stainless steel, while others are made out of glass. This can translate to a personal aesthetic, particularly if you have a friend who loves a beautiful design. Remember that an insulated growler should have a strong lid to avoid sudden spills. The insulated growler is especially popular for those that won’t drink their beer unless it’s delightfully cold.

Americans love their beer. Show your friend how much you know by getting them a gift with repeat value.

The Buzz About Beekeeping

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Beekeeping gloves

Are you interested in beekeeping? The USDA reports that as of 2014, the number of colonies managed by human beekeepers was at the highest it has been in 20 years. Beekeeping has many benefits and for some is a hobby and others a money-making venture. In addition to the good taste of local raw honey, it helps you overcome local, seasonal allergies. You can use the beeswax to create lip gloss, candles, and even yummy gummy bears. If you are looking for a beautiful and bountiful garden, bees are pollinators and are responsible for cross-pollination allowing your vegetables and flowers to thrive. Lastly, Americans consume about 1.3 pounds of honey per person per year; aside from a fun hobby, beekeeping can turn into a profitable business.

When searching for used beekeeping supplies, there are plenty of websites selling supplies and offering advice. However, check your local city for beekeeping colonies that are willing to sell used beekeeping supplies but also share their knowledge to help you get started on this journey.

BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT

For the beginner beekeeper, there are necessary beekeeper supplies to purchase. You can choose brand new equipment or look online for used beekeeping supplies.

  • Bee Hive Smoker – to settle and calm bees when checking the hives; any size will work, but the larger size is easier to use.
  • Protective Gear – gear to protect you like a veil, jacket, and beekeeping gloves.
  • Hive tool – a tool to help split or separate hives. Any flat bar will work, or a flat head screwdriver will work if you are on a budget.
  • Bee brush – to gently and harmlessly brush bees from a surface.
  • Queen Catcher – makes catching the queen easier and is a lot gentler on the queen.
  • Beekeeping Hives – for bees to do their work and live.
  • Bottom Board – wooden stand on which hive boxes rests.

5 THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR WITH YOUR NEW BEEHIVE

  1. Assessing colony health based only on the level of bee traffic – it is recommended new beekeepers inspect their hives once every two to four weeks but no more than that as the process of opening the hive is stressful for bees. Some beehives have windows to view bee activity, but this also causes stress for the bees as well, so use sparingly.
  2. Not recognizing queenlessness – a beehive can?t survive without its queen, but it may not become obvious to a beginner beekeeper that the queen bee is no longer alive. If a colony loses its queen, the hive?s population will decline, there will be a lack of eggs, lack of young larvae, and then the colony will have no brood at all. To confirm if you have an active queen, keep an eye out for eggs, if your queen is active then she?s laying eggs.
  3. Harvesting honey too early or taking too much from the beehive – As a general rule, don?t take honey from a colony in its first year. Wait until year two when they?ve built up a good reserve. Often bees aren?t strong enough yet to make an excess amount, and they need every drop they have to make it through winter.
  4. Not feeding new colonies – When you buy a package of bees in the spring, you must feed them as they are not used to being fed. Package bees are confused, weak, and have no honey and take at least a month of consistent feeding to get them on their feet. If you do not do this, you?ll likely lose them and your investment in the fall.
  5. Leaving out frames or placing empty supers – bees will build comb in any empty space you give them. Beehive hardware is designed to keep bees building only in the spaces you want them to build in. If you put fewer bee frames in a space meant to hold a certain amount, you will have a mess on your hands.


Once you?ve decided to move into beekeeping, purchasing and setting up your equipment is your priority. You can purchase your equipment brand new or look for used beekeeping supplies; both will work when setting up your beekeeping area. Once your beehives are set up, purchase your queen and bees. Good luck!
Great references here.