Beer gift box: how to put one together yourself (beers, glass and bottle opener)

A ready-made beer gift box has one flaw: someone else did the choosing for you. Putting one together yourself takes an hour, costs whatever you decide, and fits the recipient's taste rather than a shop's stock. You only need four things: a few beers of different styles, a suitable glass, a sturdy container, and a finishing touch that gets people talking when the box is opened. Here's the method, step by step.

In short: pick 4 to 6 beers of different styles, add a glass that suits them, pack everything upright in a padded box, then slip in an unusual bottle opener: the Beer Mortar for the show, the Capblast for the pocket. More ideas on the beer gifts for men page.

Why put a beer gift box together yourself?

Because you know the person. You know your brother-in-law swears by amber ales, your colleague discovered IPAs this summer, or your friend prefers wheat beers. A selection chosen for the person beats six bottles picked by a "gift idea" label.

• The contents: you choose every bottle, including an alcohol-free one if the person is cutting back.
• The budget: you set it, without paying for the packaging of a shop-bought box.
• The impact: a hand-assembled box shows you put thought into the person.

Step 1: choose 4 to 6 beers of different styles

Aim for variety rather than quantity. Four to six bottles are enough for a tour of styles, to be discovered over several evenings. A balanced selection could look like this:

• A light lager (lager or pilsner): the safe bet, refreshing.
• A wheat beer: smooth, often flavoured with coriander and orange peel.
• An amber ale: caramel notes, for the shorter evenings.
• An IPA: for the hop and bitterness fan.
• A brown ale or a stout: coffee, chocolate, roast.
• A good alcohol-free beer: it fully belongs here, and it shows the box celebrates flavour, not strength.

If the styles feel fuzzy, our beginner's guide to beer styles introduces them one by one. Add a small card per bottle (style, colour, a pairing suggestion), so they know what they're tasting and in which order.

Step 2: a beer gift box with a glass, the right call

The glass turns a selection of bottles into a proper tasting gift. Choose it according to the box's main style: a tulip for IPAs and aromatic beers, a chalice for rich Belgian beers, a straight glass or a pint for lagers and stouts. One nice glass is enough; two if the box is for a couple.

Our article on which glass for which beer details each shape and what it brings. Wrap the glass in tissue paper or a clean sock before wedging it between the bottles.

Step 3: the container and the presentation

The container matters as much as what's inside. Three simple options, no shop-bought empty gift box needed:

• A wooden crate: salvaged or bought at a DIY store, it can be reused afterwards for storage or as a shelf.
• A sturdy cardboard box: covered with kraft paper and a ribbon, it makes a neat parcel that's easy to carry.
• A basket: ideal if you add a few aperitif nibbles.

Pack the bottles upright, tight against each other, with shredded paper, crumpled newspaper or wood shavings. Nothing should move when you gently shake the box. If you prepare the box a few days ahead, keep it somewhere cool and away from light: our article on how to store beer explains why light and heat are its enemies.

Step 4: the finishing touch, the bottle opener

A beer gift box without a bottle opener is a bit like a games console without a controller: you end up digging through a drawer for one. Make the most of it and pick something that gives the gift some character.

• For the show: the Beer Mortar. When the bottle is opened, it sends the cap skywards. It's the first thing out of the box, and still the talk of the table at dessert.
• For the pocket: the Capblast. Compact and light, it slips into a pocket or clips onto a keyring, and pops the cap off with one sharp press of the lever.
• For laughs: the Capgun, the pistol bottle opener. Place the barrel on the cap, squeeze the trigger, and the cap takes off.
• For the golfer: Le 19e Trou, where a small articulated golfer putts the cap into the hole.

Three ready-to-copy beer gift box ideas

The discovery box

Four very different styles (lager, wheat, amber, brown), a versatile glass, one card per beer and the Capblast to open them all. Perfect for someone who wants to explore without getting lost.

The Christmas beer box

A seasonal beer, an amber, a stout and an alcohol-free one, a chalice glass, a red ribbon, and the Beer Mortar as the star of the Christmas Eve aperitif. For the evening itself, our Christmas party games round off the box nicely.

The original aperitif box

Three beers, a piece of aged cheese chosen at the cheesemonger the day before, a wooden board and the Capgun. For pairings, take inspiration from our beer and cheese pairing guide. Hand the box over in person and keep it cool if it contains cheese.

Mistakes to avoid and safety rules

• Going for quantity: a tasting box is enjoyed over several evenings, not one. No "pack to finish", no challenge.
• Forgetting the person: a light-lager fan won't necessarily be thrilled by six stouts, however good.
• Packing the bottles badly: a bottle rolling around means a damaged label, or even a broken glass.
• Thinking of a minor: selling alcohol to minors is prohibited in France, and a beer gift box is for an adult.

The Beer Mortar, the Capgun and Le 19e Trou launch the cap. Always aim at the sky or a clear area, never at a person, an animal or a face: a cap has sharp edges. These objects are for adults only and are kept out of children's reach. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health; please drink responsibly.

Still unsure about the recipient? Our gifts for beer lovers sorted by profile and the bottle opener comparison will help you decide.

Frequently asked questions