Beer
Blood Brothers Brewing Day’s Eye Tall Can
This tasty beer from Blood Brothers is worth it just for the can. The art will please the punk-inclined people in your circle, and the soft, peachy flavour works pretty well, too. $5.28 for 473 ml
Henderson Brewing Winter Spiced Blonde
Stouts don’t have to be the only festive beers. This spiced blonde ale has notes of mulled pear, cinnamon and clove. $4.25 for 473 ml
Fairweather Brewing High Grade IPA
The flagship IPA from this Hamilton brewery packs a punch at 6.2%, but notes of mango, pineapple, nectarine and peach will soften your landing. $4.50 for 473 ml
Collective Arts Beer & Cocktail Advent Calendar
Help the beer lover in your life feel like a kid again with this adult advent calendar, which features 24 days’ worth of surprise drinks, each wrapped in festive wrapping paper designed by Hamilton’s Art Club Mary. $109.95.
Rorschach Brewing’s Hedonism Sorbet Sour IPA
This east end brewery has some of the most interesting beer flavours you’ll find in the city, especially for those who like a sweet, fruity brew. You can pretend it’s summertime in the dead of winter with this sour IPA, a unique and tasty option that has notes of passionfruit, orange and guava. $4.03 for 355 ml
Wine
Trail Estate Jus Rouge
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Muscat and Riesling was made in Prince Edward County with hand-harvested grapes. Its notes of dusty raspberry, maraschino cherry and lemon are reminiscent of festive desserts. $30 for 750 ml
Ontario House Gamby from Grape Witches
If you want to step outside the box, Grape Witches is still the spot for the “freakiest” and tastiest natural wines in Ontario, like this spiced and fruity red-white blend from Ontario House. If you want to try something new, Grape Witches has a huge selection of reds, whites, oranges and sparkling options for sale, including themed advent calendars. Or you can purchase a couple of tickets for one of their “try and buy” events. $27 for 750 ml
Hot Rocket Pet-Nat from Traynor Vineyard
Impress your friends with this delicious, effervescent red wine from Traynor’s family-run vineyard in Prince Edward County. The Hot Rocket has a beautiful deep purple colour and notes of tart cherries and fresh blackcurrant. A slam-dunk crowdpleaser. $21.95 for 750 ml
Seltzers, etc.
Blood Brothers Brewing Sweet Communion Tall Can
If you’re feeling wild, bring this “strawberry cheesecake milk punch cocktail” to your next holiday party. It’s a dessert cocktail meant to be served over ice. $7.05 for 743 ml
Left Field Brewery Sangria Squad
Okay, so it’s not exactly a seltzer. But this wine-beer hybrid from Left Field Brewery promises to taste like sangria with flavours of blackcurrant and bright orange, and a lightly dry finish. $4.91 for 355 ml
Non-alcoholic
Henderson Brewing Pearson Express Non-alcoholic
This beer packs the punch of an IPA, without the alcohol. $4.25 for 473 ml
Left Field Everyday Player Non-Alc Kölsch (0.5% alc)
For a lighter-drinking non-alcoholic beer, Left Field offers a Kölsch. Described as “truly crushable,” this beer has a fruity flavour and a bit of breadiness. 0.5% alc. $2.79 for 355 ml
H2 Craft Spiritliss Hibiscus Non-Alcoholic Gin & Tonic (0.5% alc)
The flavour of a gin and tonic works in the summer but it also works just as well around the holidays. This refreshing version doesn’t disappoint. $2.45 for 355 ml
