I have a tricky relationship with advent calendars. I know one is supposed to dutifully await the arrival of each of the twelve days of Christmas before popping open only one slot per day to unveil the hidden surprise each day. But let’s be honest, when it comes to advent calendars, who amongst us really has the expert-level impulse control not to tear through the whole box of goodies and enjoy it all at once??? 

One’s level of self-control would undoubtedly be further tested when presented with not just any advent calendar, but a craft beer advent calendar at that. Which is why before you proceed to read on further, let me just insert a quick disclaimer: If you’re on the hunt for a Christmas gift for your beer-loving friends, only gift the Thirsty “12 Beers of Christmas” Advent Calendar at their own risk – because it may not last ‘til Christmas.

If you're walking into a room of beer lovers, you'll want to be holding this...

The Thirsty Craft Beer Advent Calendar is a thing of beauty. Fittingly, the box is shaped like a gingerbread cottage house and contains 12 specially selected craft beers each stored in its own compartment.

A nice touch was also the inclusion of a sticker sheet, with a set of numbers that you can stick on the front of each beer compartment to represent each of the twelve days of beer consumption. If you or the friend you’re gifting it to are patient people, I’d recommend randomising the order of the stickers so each day, so your brew of the day is decided by luck of the draw. This would also make the perfect box to bring to a Christmas gathering, in that all the guests can draw a number and get allotted a different beer to try.

Each Thirsty Beer Advent Calendar is retailing for S$169 on Thirsty’s website, and is delivering islandwide to Singapore. 88 Bamboo readers can get $10 off by using the promo code "88BAMBOO" at checkout!

12 Curated Craft Beers You Won't Find on Any Old Supermarket Shelf

I'd have to say that the beers in this advent calendar were really well curated. There’s a good variety of different beers across different styles – from Pilsners to IPAs, from Wheat Ales to Milk Stouts – so at least one of them is bound to hit the mark for yourself or that lucky friend you’re gifting it to.

One of my favourites from the box. A Peanut Butter Milk Stout by Belching Beavers with Reese Peanut Butter cup notes and a thick, creamy body.

Many of the beers are pretty unique, and certainly aren’t going to be cans that you would be able to pick off up the supermarket shelves here in Singapore. So all in all, I do think it’s worth picking the box to try some special brews from craft beer breweries that would typically be harder to obtain.

Bonus: It Doubles As An Arts and Craft Project

While just drinking good beer alone would have been enough fun, the Thirsty Beer Advent Calendar also comes with a booklet of Christmas decoration stickers, including windows, Christmas wreaths, and even one of a sneaky polar bear climbing up the chimney to deliver gifts. You can use these stickers to deck out your cottage house box to your liking, which is pretty good fun while you sip on your beer. Picasso, I like it.

Once you’re done drinking all the beers, you could even use the box as as a cute holder for watches, keys, jewellery or small trinklets. Or, heck, restock it with another 12 beers of your choice and go at it all over it. 

Each Thirsty Beer Advent Calendar is retailing for S$169 on Thirsty’s website, and is delivering islandwide to Singapore. 88 Bamboo readers can get $10 off by using the promo code "88BAMBOO" at checkout!

Happy sipping! 

@lotusroot518