Here's a different kind of gift idea for wine lovers: Tickets for the 2008 Pittsburgh Wine Festival, which are discounted 10 percent through December.

The annually sold-out fest, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, will be held at various locations May 3 to 8, with the sixth VIP and Grand Tasting events at Heinz Field on May 8. Tickets normally are $250 for the VIP event and $125 for the Grand Tasting, but you can get them for $225 and $112.50 respectively at www.pittsburghwinefestival.com.

The week of the festival, which will feature acclaimed celebrity chef/restaurateur Lidia Bastianich, also will feature seminars, restaurant dinners and private home dinners and auctions to raise money for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Holiday beer fun includes two tastings at Bocktown Beer & Grill in North Fayette:

• From 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 19, it's a "seasonal showcase" hosted by the Internet's Craft Beer Radio (www.craftbeerradio.com). Host Jeff Bearer with lead attendees through seasonal brews including Ridgeway's Curiously Bad Elf Series and Anchor Christmas.

• On Dec. 26, it's "Barley Wine & Dine," with various barleywines that can be paired with appropriate appetizers and dinner specials. Hosting the tasting of barleywines (Arcadia Cereal Killer, Lagunitas Gnarly Wine, Brooklyn Monster Barley and East End Gratitude) is Tony Rasicci, known as "WVbeergeek" on www.beeradvocate.com.

Show up in a holiday sweater and get half off one seasonal beer (www.bocktown.com or call 412-788-2333).

There's also a Winter Beer Tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Market Street Alehouse, Downtown (412-745-2337).

Yet another area holiday brew is Holiday Harvest Beer, made with Indian corn and pumpkin by Sprague Farm & Brew Works in Venango, Crawford County (www.sleepingchainsaw.com/brew_works.htm).

Erie Brewing's seasonal offering is Scottish-style wee heavy "Ol' Red Cease and Desist," that is just over 10 percent alcohol by volume.