The Breweries of Rhode Island puzzle is available from the Rhode Island Brewers Guild. (Photo courtesy of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild)

We’re midway through the holiday shopping season, which means you’ve been reminded at least a dozen times already to shop local. It’s true — shopping at local businesses supports residents and keeps more dollars in the local economy than buying from major retailers, not to mention the advantages of gifting a locally made product.

I’ll be the first to admit shopping local isn’t always easy, especially when deals and free shipping make it tempting to complete your holiday list from the convenience of your couch. That said, when it comes to purchasing craft beverages, there really has never been a better time to support local businesses. State policies and online ordering platforms have made it easier than ever to pick up a bottle or cans from your local tasting room, and most breweries and distilleries have a whole lineup of branded gear to complement their beverages. Plus, last time I checked, Amazon doesn’t sell booze (at least not in Rhode Island).

If you’re buying for a craft beer or spirits enthusiast, you should know that a taproom gift card or a six-pack of their favorite beverage is always a good option, and I encourage you to spend directly with your local beverage producers when you can. But if you’ve already exhausted the breweries in a thirty-mile radius or just need some fresh ideas, read on for a list of targeted suggestions for every type of craft connoisseur.

For the outdoorsy type:

If your weekend warrior is all about hitting the trails before hitting the bar, then Beer Hiking New England by Carey Kish is the guide for them. The updated second edition features fifty-two hikes paired with local breweries, from New Hampshire’s Mount Moosilauke and Woodstock Inn Brewery to Connecticut’s aptly named Devil’s Hopyard and Hop Culture Farms. For Rhode Island breweries, you’ll find Burrillville’s Bravo Brewing Company, Exeter’s Tilted Barn and Middletown’s Coddington Brewing Company paired with nearby trails, plus plenty of options for a day trip or weekend getaway.

For the homebody:

Keep them busy in the lead-up to New Year’s with a Breweries of Rhode Island puzzle from the Rhode Island Brewers Guild — perfect for sitting back with a pint and some Christmas PJs while recovering from holiday celebrations. Plus, your beer lover can quiz themselves from the map and see which local breweries they still need to check off their list. Sales support the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, the local trade organization that advocates for the breweries of the state.

For the festivalgoer:

If you’re buying for someone who prefers experiences over stuff, January delivers not one, but two craft beer festivals on the local calendar. On Jan. 9 and 10, Rhode Island’s Finest Real Ale Festival will return for the second year to the Guild in Pawtucket. Think: old-school offerings from approximately two dozen breweries all served out of casks. A $25 ticket (plus fees) grants you admission with two pints (more available for purchase) and a souvenir glass. On Jan. 31, Rhode Island Brew Fest will return to the WaterFire Arts Center. The celebration of American craft beer will feature more than 200 styles from fifty breweries across two sessions. Tickets are $60 plus fees for unlimited samples and a branded pint glass, with a portion of sales supporting the Rhode Island Brewers Guild.

For the espresso martini lover:

Nothing quite beats an espresso martini to keep you going past midnight on New Year’s Eve, and South County Distillers’ version is ready to drink at home shaken with ice or a stir of your favorite cream liqueur. For those who prefer to assemble their own, the Coffee and Black Walnut Vodka from Rhode Island Spirits makes a fantastic base for any espresso-inspired cocktails. (Plus it gives you an excuse to check out the Big Gay Christmas popup at the Rhodium Room while you pick up a bottle.)

For the sweater fans:

Roll up to your holiday sweater party in this ’60s-style sweater from Narragansett Beer. Narragansett’s holiday sweater is warm, cozy and just retro enough to make you feel like you’re sneaking that first beer in your parents’ wood-paneled basement. With the classic ’Gansett logo emblazoned on the front, it’s a must-add to any proud Rhode Islander’s collection of craft beer swag.

For the cider drinker:

Rhode Island has some fantastic cideries, and my personal pick for gift-giving is a bottle from Sowams Cider Works in Warren. These old-fashioned, small-batch New England cider varieties are made without added sugar or sulfites and bottled in 750 ml glass bottles for a classy finish. It’s also a great option if you’re looking to bring a bottle to a holiday party but not sure if your host drinks wine.

For the mocktail enthusiast:

Make it through Dry January with locally made, artisanal mocktails from Kristi’s Kraftails. The Warren-based business offers a full lineup of low sugar, carefully balanced nonalcoholic mixed drinks that rival the real thing, like the “Marg My Words” featuring strawberry, garden basil, lime, pink peppercorn and agave or the “Mint to Be” mint orange blossom sour. A twelve-ounce bottle contains two servings, or sign up for a subscription to receive a fresh six-pack every month. (Plus, they can double as a cocktail base.)

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