REGION — It can be difficult to shop for the perfect holiday gift. This year, why not lift your loved ones’ spirits with, well, spirits?

Our region offers a plethora of places to pick up bottles or cans that will definitely put a spark in their step. There are dozens of delicious sites around here—from breweries to wineries to distilleries—where you can pop in to pick up a gift certificate. (And, perhaps, sneak in a personal tasting or two… it is holiday time, after all. How else can you vouch for a gift if you haven’t experienced it yourself?)

Here is just a sampling of what our area has to offer this holiday season.

Alpine Wurst & Meat House

OK, it’s not spirits per se. But for the past 45 years, those in the know have lined up at the Alpine Wurst & Meat House for the Christmas candy, imported from Germany, that includes Asbach liquor-filled imported chocolates. While you’re there, pick up stollen and some lebkuchen cookies that are found nowhere else in the area. And the Alpine deli is a foodie paradise, with “the best of the wurst” smoked in one of the three onsite smokehouses, and a large selection of imported dry goods. Definitely carve out time to visit and find the perfect gift for lovers of authentic German fare.

1106 Texas Palmyra Hwy., Honesdale, PA

For more information, visit thealpineonline.com/home.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Alton Distillery

The Alton Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in New York State. Located in Bethel, on State Route 17B, the 30-acre Alton estate is only a stone’s throw from the stage that in 1969 hosted the Woodstock Music Festival.

According to the distillery, the name Alton “in its ancient meaning embodies and portrays our destiny to be near water.”

The Alton describes itself as grateful for the rare quality of the water, obsessed with environmental conservation, and full of admiration for   local agriculture.

At the Alton Tasting Room, you can taste and buy from their selection of grain-to-glass spirits, including their five-year-old bourbon and rye whiskey and its Peace Vodka.

The Bourbon and Buckwheat barrel-matured maple syrup series is also available for tasting.

2037 State Rte. 17B, Bethel, NY

845/583-3141

For more information, email info@altondistillery.com.

Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 to 5 pm.

The Catskill Provisions tasting room.

Catskill Provisions' flagship spirit, New York Honey Rye whiskey.

Catskill Provisions' founder, Claire Marin, at the bar.

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Catskill Provisions Distillery

Catskill Provisions/Pollinator Spirits is celebrating its 12th year, with founder Claire Marin—one of very few women who own and run distilleries in the world—at the helm. Pop into the tasting room’s retail shop to pick up the distillery’s flagship spirit, New York Honey Rye whiskey, along with artisanal food products and branded merchandise. Or grab their newest offering, the 48-proof Crimson Amaro, for a signature holiday cocktail. Warm up your loved one’s evening with the deliciously smoky Bonfire Rye, or one of Catskill Provisions’ hot-toddy kits.

If you can’t make up your mind but want to make an impact, buy a bottle each of Pollinator Vodka, Gin, Maple Bourbon and Beespoke Gin, or a gift certificate to the Catskill Provisions restaurant.

For a sweet touch, add some of their hand-rolled honey and whiskey chocolate truffles. Plan a distillery tour (by appointment only) at the distillery—244 Delaware Lake Rd. in Long Eddy—as a special treat.

16 Upper Main Street, Callicoon, NY

845/887-3289

For more information, visit catskillprovisions.com

Retail hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Restaurant and cocktail bar hours: Fridays, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Maiolatesi Wine Cellars

The owners and staff at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars, in Scott Township/Olyphant, PA, master holiday gifting like the pros that they are. In addition to 30 varieties of wine, Maiolatesi offers gift items like stemware, wine racks, cutting boards and pre-wrapped gift baskets in its 2,000-square-foot retail space. For a personal touch, order customized wine labels with logos for corporate gifts or a personalized message—but orders need to be placed ASAP. If you want to share the deliciousness with those further afield, have Maiolatesi wines shipped right from the source. Of course, a gift certificate is always just the right size.

32 Cabernet Dr., Olyphant, PA

Reservations: 570/209-2880

For all other inquiries, call 570/254-9977

Seminary Hill

If you’re still scratching your head, trying to think up a gift, look no further than a Seminary Hill Cider Club subscription. It’s perfect for your cider-loving friends and family—choose between three or six bottles per season. The flexibility of this subscription sets it apart from others—you can pause or cancel your membership at any time. Learn more at www.seminaryhill.co/cider-club

43 Wagner Ln., Callicoon, NY

845/887-4056

For more information, visit seminaryhill.com.

Shrewd Fox Brewery

Pure, clean, local beer—that’s what you will find at Shrewd Fox Brewery. A local farm brewery serving up craft ales and lagers, Shrewd Fox uses all-natural, locally-grown and non-GMO ingredients in all of its varieties. Even their barrel-aged recipes are brewed with New York State barley, hops and Catskills water. Shrewd Fox Brewery is known for its innovative natural brewing methods, which avoids using chemicals, additives and preservatives commonly found in industrially-produced beer.

In recognition of its excellent, the 3 Dog IPA was awarded the 2002 TAP® New York Craft Beer & Food Festival Governor’s Cup.

The brewery is located on at 552 Route 55, just west of the four corners in Eldred, NY.

845/557-8255

For more information, visit shrewdfoxbrewery.com/.

Three Hammers Winery

Founded in 2018, Three Hammers Winery produces small-batch, handcrafted specialty wines.

Along with its many choices of wine, the winery offers a “snowglobe dining” experience, pairing wine with a four-course meal.

“Whether you are looking for the perfect holiday gift or looking for a delicious and food-friendly wine for Christmas dinner,” Three Hammers staff say, “Three Hammers has something for everyone.” They even offer uniquely designed merchandise for the wine lover in your life.

There are two locations—the Main Winery in Hawley, or at the Wine Lounge on Main in Honesdale.

The main winery is located at 877 Welcome Lake Rd., Hawley, PA.

570/949-4688

The Wine Lounge is located at 542 Main St., Honesdale PA.

570/616-4199

For more information, visit threehammerswinery.com/.

The Western Hotel offers bloody Marys in a two-for-one holiday special.

Mimosas are offered in a special on the weekends at the Western Hotel.

One of the cocktails available at the Western Hotel.

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Western Hotel

For the historic-home lover in your life, pick up a holiday gift card so they can experience every inch of this Old West-inspired bar, supper club and inn, housed in a gorgeous 1852 Victorian building.

Fit some pre-holiday fun into your weekends on December 17 and 18 by treating someone special (or a special group) to the Western’s holiday prix-fixe special—host a business or family celebration, featuring a three-course dinner for $40 each or lunch for $30 each. Guests can enjoy the fireside supper room; the entire historic hotel is decorated to the nines.

Give the gift that continues after the holidays, with tickets to the Western Hotel’s New Year’s Eve bash. It takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight and includes dinner, a show, champagne and more.

David Driver and the Lux Rd. Band will provide entertainment all night as you enjoy a five-course meal with wine, champagne, party favors and a countdown at midnight.

Tickets cost $150 per person. To reserve, email events@westerncallicoon.com, or call 845/887-9871.

Extend the party by booking a hotel package, but hurry—quantities are limited.

22 Upper Main St., Callicoon, NY

845/887-9871

For more information, visit www.westerncallicoon.com.