What to Get a Beer Geek

Sometimes at the end of a long day, all a chef wants is an ice-cold beer. But for Tim Wiechmann, it’s not like just any brew’ll do – the T. W. Food owner takes his beer seriously. He’s in the midst of opening Bronwyn Restaurant in Union Square, so he’s been busy researching beers to match the menu, which will explore the cuisines of Germany, Austria, Alto Adige and Eastern Europe. When you’re shopping for the beer nerd on your list – do as he does and seek guidance from the folks at Craft Beer Cellars. Owned and operated by Suzanne Schalow and Kate Baker, the Belmont shop features craft, micro and artisanal beers from the United States and beyond – that means no liquor, no wine, no Bud, no MGD and no PBR (sorry, hipsters). Just beer. And the best of it.

Personally, Wiechmann is hoping for any of three bottles to turn up as stocking stuffers: Aventinus, Doppelbock (an aged dark wheat beer with layers of flavor); Ettaler Kloster Dunkel (a rich dark lager) or 1809, Dr. Fritz Briem (a light Berlin-style wheat beer with a lemony tang). But if you’re not totally sure what the cooker in your life likes to crack open at the end of a shift, Shalow and Baker are happy to make some recommendations, and gift certificates are always available.