Merry Christmas to all!
Here is the final review of holiday ales and it is the iconic Anchor Christmas.
You can check out all of the labels (and I mean all) HERE
Where Santa might Stop – Bethlehem Brew Works
Since Santa shares this holiday with a certain other fellow, he might want to stop and raise a glass in Bethlehem. Pennsylvania of course and the Bethlehem Brew Works home of Rude Elf’s Reserve.
The story behind this beer is quite fascinating. Check it out HERE
Here’s to a merry and beer filled Christmas and let’s hope Santa Claus (Kris Kringle, Sinter Klass, St. Nick) has a fun and safe journey around the world!
Christmas Beer of the Day – Samichlaus
The Brewery – Schloss Eggenberg
The Beer – Samichlaus Classic
The Details
““Samichlaus” beer is brewed once a year, in each case on December 6th, and stored and matured afterwards for over 10 months before it is bottled. “Samichlaus” beer can mature for many years in the bottle; older vintages obtain a complexity and receive their creamy warm aftertaste. This beer can be served with heavy meals and desserts, particularly with chocolate – or as digestive and meditations drink.”
Christmas Beer of the Day – Vermont Spruce Tip
The Brewery – Harpoon
The Beer – Vermont Spruce Tip
The Details
“This hearty ale is a showcase for a traditional yet seldom used brewing ingredient: spruce tips. Harvested at their tender, ripe, bright green peak in Downer State Forest, Vermont, these spruce tips impart citrus, pine, spice, herbal and earthy notes. A host of malts, a hint of roasted barley and generous use of Chinook hops complement the unique spruce flavor.
We’d like to thank the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and all of the many great volunteers that helped us with this unusual harvest.”
Enjoy this beer with friends and family at any celebration or feast.
Christmas Beer of the Day – Winter Solstice
The Brewery – Kuhnhenn
The Beer – Winter Wonder Lager
The Details
“Deep amber color lager, strong malt aroma, sweeter malt flavor, high bitterness to balance alcohol and sweetness. Made each May for winter solstice. This special yeast gives a unique flavor to this ultra strong lager.”
Christmas Beer of the Day – Winter Shredder
The Brewery – Cisco
The Beer – Winter Shredder Ale
The Details:
This beer is so new that I could not find a description of it. But their website does appear to have a store where you can buy their beer!
Where Santa might Stop – Red Jacket
While flying over Michigan, Kris Kringle may pause at Red Jacket which is inside the Michigan House Cafe.
They brew a 1/2 barrel at a time and produce a coffee oatmeal stout with the same type of ingredients that breweries used before prohibition. It has 13 shots of espresso that should keep Santa going well into the night.
Christmas Beer of the Day – Doggie Claws
The Brewery – Hair of the Dog
The Beer – Doggie Claws 2011
The Details:
“Doggie Claws is a Barley Wine made in the West Coast style. Big malt and hops make this copper colored ale one of our most popular products. Produced in September and October and released in November, this Beer will improve for years to come.”
Christmas Beer of the Day – Tidings
The Brewery – Port City
The Beer – Tidings Ale
The Details
“Crafted by Head Brewer Jonathan Reeves, this strong Belgian style blond ale is made with local Maryland wildflower honey and Virginia wheat, and is gently spiced with coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger and grains of paradise.”
Christmas Beer of the Day – Northstar Imperial Porter
The Brewery– Twisted Pine
The Beer – Northstar Imperial Porter
The Details
“Northstar, which carries a 98 on ratebeer.com, is black as a moonless night and gives off an aroma of toffee and dark fruit laced with licorice. Once the porter hits the palate, the tongue dances to notes of chocolate-covered raisins which harmonize well with subtle traces of roasted nuts and molasses. The beer is dry enough to punctuate the flavors with a crisp finish, while just silky enough to leave a stamp of the epic experience behind for a while. An ABV of 9.1% provides a slight warming glow that grows up the chest as the ale drops in the glass. Northstar was awarded a gold medal at the 2010 Colorado State Fair, a silver in the 2006 World Beer Cup, and a bronze in 2008’s State Fair.”