Beer
When you spend as much time as we do tasting, travelling, and talking to producers, you quickly realise that the best drinking occasions rarely begin with a single category. At Givino, we have always believed that a thoughtfully stocked bottle shop should reflect how people actually drink - and that means craft beer earns its place alongside the Tempranillo, the Tawny Port, and the artisan gin. We stock what we genuinely enjoy, and we bring the same critical eye to beer that we apply to everything else on our shelves.
Beer at Givino: How We Think About Every Pour
At Givino, beer has always been part of how we think about great drinking occasions - a natural companion to the wines, ports, and gins we love. Our beer selection brings the same curiosity and care we apply to every bottle we stock, from local Somerset breweries to celebrated craft producers. Explore and drink well.
Based in Frome, Somerset, we are proud to sit at the heart of a region with a remarkable independent food and drink culture. Beer in Frome is taken seriously - this is a town that has long championed independent producers, and our selection reflects that spirit. Whether you are looking to browse wines for a dinner party or round out a gift with something cold and considered, beer fits naturally into the story.
Craft Beer and the Occasions That Call for It
There is a temptation to treat beer as the casual option - the drink you reach for when you are not making an effort. We disagree entirely. A well-chosen craft beer can be as deliberate and pleasurable as any glass of wine, and it opens up pairing possibilities that wine sometimes cannot. Think of a hop-forward IPA alongside aged cheddar or a slow-smoked brisket, where the bitterness cuts through the fat in the same way a high-acid white wine might. Or a deep, roasted stout served alongside a square of dark chocolate, where the cocoa notes in both amplify each other beautifully.
For those exploring beyond wine, beer offers a brilliant entry point. If you enjoy the stone fruit and spice character of something like The Federalist Zinfandel 2021, you may well find a similar richness in a barrel-aged porter. If you are drawn to the crisp, mineral freshness of the wines in our White Wines collection, a well-made pilsner or session pale ale will speak the same language.
- Pairing beer with cheese - the carbonation in beer acts as a palate cleanser in a way wine cannot always manage, lifting salt and fat from hard and soft cheeses alike. A fruity pale ale alongside a Somerset Brie, for instance, creates a contrast that is as satisfying as any classic wine pairing.
- Beer as a gift component - a beer gift works brilliantly when paired with something from our Wine Gifts collection, creating a hamper that speaks to a full range of tastes rather than a single preference.
- Beer with spiced or smoked food - where wine can struggle against chilli heat or heavy smoke, the effervescence and malt backbone of a craft lager or amber ale holds its own, complementing rather than competing with bold flavours.
- Beer for outdoor occasions - a warm Somerset afternoon, a garden lunch, or a picnic on the hills above Frome calls for something cold, refreshing, and easy to share. A mixed selection of craft beers covers every preference in the group without fuss.
What Makes Beer in Somerset Worth Exploring
Beer in Somerset has a genuine story behind it. The county's agricultural heritage - its orchards, its farmland, its long tradition of independent brewing - has created a culture in which small producers thrive. We look for beers that reflect that same sense of place and craft that we seek in every wine or gin we stock. Just as Taylor's Sentinels Vintage Port 2022 speaks clearly of the Douro Valley and the traditions of its makers, a well-brewed Somerset ale should tell you something about where it came from and who made it.
When we source beer, we ask the same questions we ask of every producer: Is there genuine skill involved? Does this drink reward attention? Would we be happy recommending it to a customer who trusts our palate? If the answer is yes across the board, it earns a place on our shelves. You will also find our broader range of Red Wines and Port Wines alongside beer selections that complement rather than compete with them.
Beer Gifts and Mixed Hampers for Every Occasion
One of the most popular ways our customers use beer is as part of a broader gift. A beer and wine hamper combining a couple of craft beers with a bottle from our Spanish Wines or Portuguese Wines collection creates something far more personalised than a standard gift set. It says you have thought about the recipient's full range of tastes, not just assumed they drink one thing.
For birthdays, housewarmings, or simply a thank-you that goes beyond the ordinary, a beer gift assembled with care and matched to a bottle of something special from our cellar is a genuinely thoughtful gesture. If you are exploring gifts for wine lovers who also appreciate a well-made pint, this is a natural direction to take.
We have done the tasting, asked the questions, and chosen only what we would be happy to pour ourselves. Browse our selection and discover why these beers reward the same curiosity you bring to every great bottle - you may find they surprise you.
