It is the holiday season. And by holidays Im thinking of all those special days that involve you having to give a gift to someone. Or even birthdays, lot's of birthdays in December.. including mine.. today.

On this fine day I wanted to share with you one of my favorite gifts to bring my friends in different parts of the world when I visit them from Amsterdam. It is a gift that costs very little, is very rare in the world, and you must have a taste for.... It is a word many of us know very well... BEER.

Now hold on.. I'm not talking about a can of beer with the Heineken label painted on the aluminum. I'm not talking about a six-pack of Palm in your suitcase to greet uncle bob with. NO NO.. this is a luxury item. Available only in Amsterdam.. for the most part.
A fine locally brewed beer from the Ij Brewery.

I hope this doesn't give away my best gift choice to all my friends, but if I'm travelling somewhere, I've usually got 2 bottles of some fine Ale from the IJ. It is dark.. it is tastefully labelled with the Ostrich standing in front of the Windmill. And for beer lovers or collectors... it is a fun experience to taste some authentic Amsterdam.

And to make things even easier, you don't have to go to the Brewery to get them. I get fine from the local organic grocery stores, known as Natuurwinkel. So if you're in town and you want to bring a gift for someone you know has a penchant for brews of the world, pick up an Ij Brewery beer. Let me know how that works out for ya.