Local libations for holiday merrymaking

DARREN THORNBERRY

HOLIDAY GUIDE

For your holiday party, fireside warmer, or family feast, we’ ve got you covered with some amazing suggestions for local or nearly local beer, wine, spirits and other fun gifts. This time of year, we all want to make an impression with excellent drink offerings and do up the holidays in style. If you ’re scratching your head about what’s new and different, or what’s local that you can support, Hazel’s Beverage World weighs in here with suggestions that will get everyone singing Auld Lang Syne and making emotional toasts!

Claire Dowaschinski, marketing manager at Hazel’s Beverage World (1955 28th St., Boulder), recommends Haykin Family Cidery (Aurora) and Primitive Beer (Longmont)—both great options for any beer/cider lover this season. Bookcliff Vineyards, a Boulder winery, releases its Boulder Star wine around the holiday season. Who knew: Each year the beautiful label is recreated with new artwork of the Boulder Star! “It’s a great local gift and some of the proceeds go to the maintenance of the star ($21.98), ” Dowaschinski says. She also recommends OAX Original Wild Agave Mezcal in beautiful ceramic bottles for mezcal lovers, priced as follows: Arroqueno $129.98. Tobala $149.98, and Tepeztate $184.98. “Other gift ideas we have are handcrafted hammered mugs made in Colorado Springs from recycled copper and Hazel’s beer and wine passports, ” Dowaschinski says.

The passport is very cool. It’s a 12-month subscription, so every month you pick up a 6-pack or a bottle of wine. Hazel’s has gift cards, too, available by email, text, or actual old school physical card. It doesn’t seem possible that someone reading this hasn’t been to Hazel’s, but just in case: It’s a 35,000-square foot store with BoCo’s largest selection of beer, wine, spirits, cigars, specialty foods and other gifts. Their people are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to make awesome suggestions.

(Photo courtesy: Hazel' s).

Getting your birds into the holiday spirit is easy with a little help from our favorite frosty friend. Buttons the Snowman is a mix of seeds, nuts and fruit, and he’s available only at Wild Birds Unlimited. He’s sure to be a holiday delight for birds and bird feeding enthusiasts. Shop now for a wide variety of bird foods, feeders and other unique gifts sure to bring a little joy this holiday!

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Buttons the Snowman Seed Character

• Personal Stylist • Exceptional Customer Service • Impeccable Quality

Stock up on these wines and mules at Wyatt’s Wet Goods, 1250 S. Hover St., Unit C, for all your festivities. This family business has a huge selection of beer, wine and spirits and a team that is all too delighted to share ideas that will go down smooth.

AMERICAN HERITAGE

3 of the best from wineries here at home! $44.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits,1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont. store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20 packs.

NATALE VERGA

3 bottles of red from one of our favorites in Italy, Natale Verga. $29.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store. wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20 packs.

SPANISH WONDERS

3 red wines from the 2nd biggest wine producing county in the world! $29.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20 packs.

HOLIDAY MULE BASKET

An easy vodka mule pack, includes copper mugs, ginger beer and vodka! $44.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20packs. VIVA ITALIANO

Visit Italy with 4 great Italian wines! A $24 savings! $34.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store. wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20 packs.

FANCY YOUR REDS BORDEAUX PACK

Four fantastic french favorites! $49.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20packs.

WORLD WIDE FUN PACK

Travel the world with 4 imported wines! $71.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=gift%20 packs.

GERMAN DELIGHTS

3 deliciously sweet Rieslings from Germany. $32.99. Wyatt's Wet Goods Wine and Spirits, 1250 S. Hover St. Suite 100, Longmont, store.wyattswetgoods.com/ shop?ch-query=german%20 delights.

Food & drinK

THANK GOODNESS FOOD QUICHES

Did you know that Meals on Wheels of Boulder has been offering savory whole quiches to the Boulder community for more than 20 years? Each is a generous 10 inches in size and ready to bake. There are seven flavors to choose from including Ham and Cheese, Italiano (Italian Sausage), Florentine, Spicy Chorizo Mexicana, Mediterranean (Vegetarian), Mexicana (Vegetarian), Margherita (Vegetarian). Already a classic for breakfast or brunch, these gourmet quiches are also a hit at lunch, dinner, as appetizers, side dishes and more. They’re perfect for holiday meals, fundraisers, potlucks, wedding & baby showers, family parties, neighborhood get-togethers, etc. And every slice of goodness helps Meals on Wheels of Boulder. 100% of the proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels of Boulder. $15.00. Meals on Wheels of Boulder, 3701 Canfield St., boulder.mowboulder.org/boulder-cornerniche-market/quiche. HOLIDAY TEA GIFT BOX

Holiday teas to bring you holiday cheers! In this box you will find 2 oz each of the six most popyou will find 2 oz each of the six most popular ular whole wholeleaf holiday teas from Ku Cha - Chocolateleaf holiday teas from Ku Cha - Chocolate Mint Mint Black Black Tea, Holiday Apple Frost Green Tea, Hot Cinnamon Tea, Holiday Apple Frost Green Tea, Hot Cinnamon Black Tea, Vanilla Rooibos, Organic Winter Chai, Black Tea, Vanilla Rooibos, Organic Winter Chai, and our seasonal Winter Wonderland Fruit Tea. Cheers to love and happiness 2022! $49.95 Ku Cha House of Tea, 1211 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.443.3612, kuchatea.com.