Give the gift of beer for the holidays

Here's a holiday gift idea for the beer lover (or columnist) in your life: a subscription to a beer-of-the-month club.

A reader in Columbia, Ill. — I won't say her name because I don't want to ruin her son's Christmas surprise — recently wrote to ask my opinion on some of these clubs. Having never subscribed to one, I did a little Internet digging and posted the question to folks on Twitter and Facebook.

I found a lot of options, enough to satisfy everyone, from those who are just testing the waters of microbrews to the most discerning craft-beer geek. I think one of the best benefits of beer-of-the-month clubs is that they deliver brews that otherwise aren't available in local stores.

Expect to pay $30 to $90 a month. Most allow you to specify the number of months. As with any club subscription, read the fine print to make sure you can cancel anytime without a hassle or extra fees. It's also worth finding out where the beer club's warehouse is and whether shipments are sent via air or ground delivery; beer traveling across the country by truck in the middle of summer has a good chance of getting heat-damaged.

I've listed four of the most popular programs below, along with prices (shipping included) and some recent beer selections. Special thanks to Billy Broas, a Denver beer blogger who is keeping track on his website (billybrew.com) of his memberships to three of these clubs. Now that's dedication.

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Michael Jackson's Rare Beer Club

Where: Shipping via ground from Chicago

How much: $45 a month for two 750 mL bottles, $67 a month for four 750 mL bottles, $87 a month for six 750 mL bottles

More info: beermonthclub.com/the-rare-beer-club.htm

Named for the late, great beer writer, this club features large-format bottled beers that are selected based on blind tastings by a panel of judges. This is the club to join to get limited-release beers from some of the world's most highly regarded breweries. Recent examples: Kocour IPA Samurai (India pale ale brewed in the Czech Republic), Panil Barriquee (sour/Flanders red ale brewed in Italy).

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Microbrewed Original Monthly Beer Club

Where: Shipping via ground from Chicago

How much: $37 a month for a dozen 12-ounce bottles

More info: beermonthclub.com

The Original Monthly Beer Club, around since 1994 and based in California (with a distribution warehouse in Illinois), offers members four varieties each month: three bottles of each beer from two "lightly distributed" U.S. craft breweries. Recent examples: Atwater Vanilla Java Porter (porter brewed in Michigan with coffee beans and vanilla extract), Hub City Paradise Ale (American-style India pale ale brewed in Iowa).

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Clubs of America Beer of the Month Club

Where: Shipping via ground from Lakemoor, Ill.

How much: $37 a month for a dozen 12-ounce bottles

More info: greatclubs.com/beerofthemonthclub

Similar to the Original Monthly Beer Club (this one also started in 1994 but is based in Illinois), Clubs of America's program includes four varieties each month: three bottles each from small domestic breweries. Recent examples: Appalachian Jolly Scot (Scottish ale brewed in Pennsylvania), D.L. Geary London Porter (porter brewed in Maine).

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World Beer Direct Taste of America

Where: Shipping via ground from Chicago

How much: $37 a month for a dozen 12-ounce bottles

More info: worldbeerdirect.com

World Beer Direct has various levels that also include nine bottles of American brews ($33 a month) and 24 bottles of U.S. and imported beers ($70 a month). Recent examples: Bison Gingerbread Ale (porter brewed with spices in California), Krebs Basement Batch (American-style pale ale brewed in Oklahoma).

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EVAN'S PICK:

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza

Lowdown: Flavors of traditional holiday-beer spices and figs lie beneath a blanket of funk (that's a good thing!) that is unique to this brewery.

Price: $9 per 10-ounce pour.

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