Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
One explanation for Santa Claus getting all those presents delivered in one night, is multiple Santas. Gigantic Brewing in Portland is on the same wavelength when it comes to their 2024 winter warmer, Santa Clones.
“This collab with Weird Portland United is a deliciously malty, rich beer layered with caramel and a hint of dark fruit that’s crafted for cozy, festive vibes.”
Time to bring Omnipollo into the Christmas chat with their Christmas Shake IPA.
“Jingle all the bells and whistles. We pulled out all the stops on this one and wish you the best Christmas yet. Hops and tangerine meld into our favorite season. Crafted at Omnipollos Church.”
Up in Seattle, Cloudburst Brewing has ventured into the gap of the missing Anchor Steam Our Special Ale with their own Distinctive Holiday Ale.
“We get that a spiced winter warmer is not an easy sell (LIKE, PLEASE BUY THIS BEER) but that version was essentially canonized. It was always rich in malt and interesting in flavor – often spiced, but never with the same combination – and packaged in an iconic bottle (or magnum) with a new label every year. If that beer was to no longer exist…well, what does that say about…um…the storied winter seasonal beer market? And thus, we put it upon ourselves to create a similar rendition, filling that glaring, singular hole on the shelf at your favorite bottle shop. A beer of malts, hops, spices, joy and cheer.”
Time to switch it up and have a winter cider, let’s head over to GABF winning cider maker 2 Towns Cider House for a Polar Party.
“Shake things up with Polar Party as you step into a winter wonderland swirling with a lively blend of elderflower, PNW blueberries, and fresh-pressed apples. This limited cider is guaranteed to break the ice at any winter bash.”
There are not to many beers nowadays that get the social media talking, but one that has bucked that trend is the Costco Vintage Ale brewed by Deschutes Brewery.
I am lucky enough to know someone with the magic card and so I got to get the boxed barrel-aged beer to try.
I am amazed to see an old school 22oz bomber bottle when I wrestle the bottle out of the packaging. In the first few sips, I am getting a woody bitterness that hides the light bourbon note underneath. The aroma has a green almost peppery note to it which is at some odds to the flavor. That and the viscosity belie the 12% abv. It is almost like a coffee cocktail.
Back to foreign shores with Siren Craft Brew and their winter IPA, Suspended in Mistletoe Hazy Pale Ale.
” Suspended’ is soft, hazy, juicy, packed full of hops and usually reserved for pints at your favourite pub. This keg features centennial hops.”
Pipeworks Brewing is on deck with their Gingerbread Unicorns.
You’ e got ginger and cinnamon and lactose and heck even some black pepper to spice up the party.
Our next gift is from your brewing friends at New Glory Brewing in Sacramento. We have Frosty Delight a hot cocoa marshmallow stout.
“This chocolate-forward stout delivers a decadent blend of rich cacao nibs, perfectly balanced with creamy vanilla and marshmallow flavors. Subtle notes of toffee linger in the background, bringing a rich, caramelized depth to every sip. It’s the perfect frosty delight for those who prefer their hot cocoa cold, and in a can!”
From one Portland to another, next up is Lone Pine Brewing and their Holiday Spruce Tip IPA.
This brewery also has a second, earlier winter release, Winter Carnival IPA.
The present under the beer keg today is some Hollywood Movie Madness as Culmination Brewing brings us the Outpost 31 Winter Ale.
“We brewed this beer in collaboration with Movie Madness. For those who don’t yet know – Outpost 31 is a research station located in the Antarctic, and it has quite the history…”