Quite the unique holiday gift set! Old license plates turned into beer flight holders.
An inspired Christmas gift
What holiday gift do you get a newly engaged couple? I mean, they already have everything they basically need! An Adventure gift (not plain old money…which is no fun opening at Christmas!). This adventure gift kept in mind something they like (drinking beer) and going the next step in trying something new. I made them a set of beer flight holders from old license plates!
The happy couple (Connor Weldon and Christine Sgueglia) with their gift. A little bit of Oregon for those two East coasters!
Origin of the inspiration
The Tap Station front in Independence, OR. The beer bar used to be an old gas station. After a day of cruising an Airstream rally, this was a perfect pitstop.We stopped in to use the bathroom, and stayed for some refreshment. I laughed at this sign!Since the tap bar used to be a gas station, there are touches everywhere honoring it’s past. One touch is the beer flight holders made by the owner’s grandpa. These are displayed and used at the bar, the Tap Station, Independence, OR
Making the beer flight holders
One day, while out on a walk around the neighborhood, I found a discarded Oregon license plate. I picked it up, remembering the beer flight holder I had seen a few weeks earlier. I brought it home and showed my brother-outlaw Jim, who loves to figure out how to make things too!
The test pattern
After hammering the plate flat, we knew we needed to make sure the tasting glasses would fit. We borrowed two glasses from the local tavern. So far, so good!We made sure the holes would be properly centered. There seemed to be something that was throwing off our sense of proper spacing. When you are doing this, it’s best to know the size of the glass base that will be in the holes for a proper fit.I was lucky that Jim has a drill press and knows how to use a Hole Dozer. It took a bit of scouting to get the right size (we used 2 1/4″ – the more typical size is used for door knobs). If you don’t know how to use one, check out Family Handyman’s “How to Properly Use a Hole Saw”I enjoyed peeking through the drilled holes in the license plate. We realized the tree in the center of the design was key to the spacing issue. The hole saw leaves sharp edges and little bits of metal. Jim showed me how to file the sides down, and to make sure I didn’t wear the paint off the plate.The next steps included choosing which wood to use under the plate for the base. There will be two pieces of wood : one with the holes to hold the glasses, and the other to be the bottom. We tested oak, and it didn’t go through the planer without issue. Then we settled on cedar, as that has added longevity against a wet environment. Spilled beer, perhaps?
After the test
My vintage Airstream came with a very pretty (and expired) license plate. I learned that the style (with the covered wagon) is no longer available. But when we go to register the trailer, the state may allow us to use it. Since we like the thought of “olden times” trailer (a covered wagon was a camper!) with our shiny trailer…we didn’t use it on the beer flight holder.
The wood base
The beat up license plate I found was perfect to test the hole size & spacing. But it was too bumpy to make a pretty beer holder. Fortunately Jim had a bunch of old plates stored in his barn, and he loved the idea of them being used in such a cool way. Getting the wood base the right dimensions took a few more tests. We ended up deciding to have rounded wood edges on all four sides. The one at the Tap Station did theirs differently.Once we glued the two pieces of wood together, Jim suggested we varnish them. We used a decking stain which is also waterproof .(McCloskey Man O War Spar Varnish – link is to my Amazon Affiliate which I may receive compensation if you buy through it. You can get it at your local hardware store!)
The last touch
The last part! After the wood and the stain dried, it’s time to screw on the license plates and drill in the centers to the bottom of the holes. The screws are just long enough to go through both pieces of wood (and not through the other side) to add extra grip to the two parts. I could then wrap them up and pack in my suitcase to bring to my son (and his fiancee) across the country. It made me happy to give them a little bit of my travel Adventures as they start this next part of their journey together.
Important Additions to the holder
Since I can’t drink beer (I’m gluten-free), I had to rely on the advice of the local beer retailer for advice on beers. I took a photo to remember which order they should be tasted. (The beers were a present from my mom to them, but I helped pick them out). Check out “Beer Tasting & Flights Intro” for more info on having your own beer tasting!While I couldn’t get a set of these cute beer can shaped tasting glasses in time for Connor’s present, you can get them for your tasting! Here’s my Amazon link to The Man Can Mini for your ease (again, the legal note: I may receive compensation as I am an Amazon Affiliate)
The inspired gift at home
The happy couple are happy with their gift. Bonus side story – another friend was so impressed with my (and Jim’s) handicraft, she was inspired to start her own craft project! Hopefully you’ll be inspired to create something really fun too!
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