SALTY’S (3rd Annual) Gift Guide

The craft brew scene on PEI continues to grow—it’s pretty easy to stop by your local PEILCC and pick up an assortment of locally-brewed beers and ciders for your holiday party. Why not try Copper Bottom Brewing’s Ken’s Stout? Named after brewmaster Ken Spears, it has a creamy head, notes of chocolate and coffee in its finish, and a hint of sweetness. It’s not hard to see why this oatmeal stout was a gold medal winner at the Down East Brewing Awards.

A trip to Ellerslie’s Moth Lane Brewing is also a good spot to grab some local craft beer; take home a growler or two to share. You can also find Moth Lane’s brews at the Summerside Farmers’ Market—it’s a good excuse for a Saturday drive!

If beer’s not your thing, grab a bottle or two of Red Island Cider’s refreshing ciders. You can find their Father Walker cider or pick up a special 750ml Ghost Ship edition on PEILCC’s shelves. Their taproom in Charlottetown is also a good spot to find their full range of ciders.

Still on the alcohol side, you can give the gift of the award-winning Deep Roots Distillery Absinthe to a discerning drinker. It’s a unique product distilled right here in PEI and makes an special gift.

Sometimes a practical gift is best and helping someone fill their freezer is a gift that can go on for months. Why not pick up a Poultry Freezer package from Larkin Bros? Mix and match their ground turkey products like sausages or burgers with a whole chicken or chicken pieces. You can order the boxes online at their website or visit their retail spots in Crapaud or the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market.

Do you have a chef or wanna-be chef in your life? Stop by The Cook’s Edge in Charlottetown and have a chat with owner Adam Sweet. He can point you in the right direction and help you choose a chef’s knife that will be perfect; for example a Japanese-made Shun Classic. The Shun line of knives are made to last and hold a sharp edge. Take some time to check out the other kitchen accessories he has for sale and you’re likely to find the perfect gift.

Another great idea to help fill a freezer is The Handpie Co’s frozen handpies. With 14 flavour choices, including four vegetarian options, you can find the perfect mix. An ideal gift for new parents, university students, or perhaps seniors looking for simple yet filling meal choices. Swing by the Albany store for the complete selection or find handpies in over a dozen Island locations. Just remember your freezer bag!

Planning on serving some oysters? Be sure to pick up a few jars of Gallants’ Oyster Sauces to complement their salty goodness. Their oyster sauce flavours include a classic cocktail sauce and three choices of mignonette. Find them at Gallants and Co in Charlottetown or their booth at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market.

The holidays are never complete without great food, and PEI has an abundance of wonderful products to put out for noshing on. Hosting a party? Grab some gouda from Glasgow Glen Farm and fill those charcuterie boards with creamy goodness. Round it out with other local cheeses and enjoy. Add in some cured meats like those prepared by Salume Rume or Founders’ Delicatessen and your guests won’t want to leave.

What’s Christmas without chocolate? Heck, what’s any day without chocolate?! Jane and Sue’s Simply Splendid handcrafted artisan chocolates make a great gift for the sweet-toothed folks in your life. They offer a wide range of flavours and choices, pick up yours at their booth at Summerside Farmers’ Market or stores like Farmacy in Charlottetown.

Crystal Green Farms has a great selection of PEI flours and baking mixes for the baker in your life. Pick up a quality muffin tin, tie a ribbon around the whole package, and wait to be invited to enjoy the tasty results. They also have a pancake mix and if you combine that with a pound or two of Caledonia House’s locally roasted coffee, you’ve just given the perfect breakfast combo to someone.

Caledonia House is now open weekdays in the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market so it’s easier than ever to get your coffee. Throw in a pottery mug and a French Press and your gift will keep on giving year round. You’ll note that most of these suggestions won’t be found in your traditional big box stores but that’s the fun of supporting and shopping local! See you out there!