We head to Italy for some duck, Christmas Duck…
“Christmas beer flavored with honey Olmo. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, fermented in the bottle and barrel. 8.5% Alc. in vol.”
Xmas 2012 – Kern River / Winter Ale
We travel north of Los Angeles to Kern River for our next holiday beer….
“As the Kernville temps dip our spicy rye Winter Ale warms up the taps. It gets its kick from rye but has plenty of hops to balance out the malt.”
Xmas 2012 – Three Creeks / Rudolph’s Imperial Red Ale
Seems appropriate that Rudolph would have a red ale and imperial no less from Three Creeks in Sister’s Oregon near Mt. Bachelor.
“An American Strong Ale.”
Xmas 2012 – Moor Beer Co. / Winter Blend
Now for more Moor Beer, their holiday offering Winter Blend
“Eat and drink too much during the holidays? Yeah, we’re all guilty, especially with all those great barley wines and winter warmers out around that time. Sometimes when your discipline is about to fail you need a more sane beer to brighten the cold days and long nights. This is the one you’re looking for – a beautifully blended Brown Ale. Fruity, nutty, chocolatey, and bitter, it’s perfect for the dark winter season. One landlord commented that it “still has that full on Moor flavour hit.” It’ll keep your taste buds satisfied and the rest of your body relieved. Great taste, less…”
Xmas 2012 – Sound Brewery / Entendez Noel
We head to my favorite new (to me) brewery of 2012, Sound Brewery for their Holiday offering…
“AKA The Mother Of All Tripels (MOAT)Entendez Noel is a unique intense Belgian-style that can be considered an imperial triple or pale quadruple. Some warming alcohols and spicy notes (from fermentation only, no spices added) make this beauty perfect for our first holiday beer. Enjoy the ever changing aroma and flavors as you and the beer warm up.”
Xmas 2012 – Sly Fox / Christmas Ale
Today we get some Pennsylvania Christmas courtesy of Sly Fox….
“This malty, full-bodied red ale is made with traditional mulling spices: Ginger, Clove, All Spice, Cinnamon & Nutmeg. If this one doesn’t get you into the Christmas spirit, you truly are a Scrooge.”
Xmas 2012 – Brouwerij Dilewyns / Vicaris Winter Ale 2011
We head to Belgium for Vicaris Winter Ale 2011 brought to us by the Vanberg and DeWulf people…
“Vicaris Winter ale pours an intense dark brown, almost black. The nose is a warming mix of licorice and ground coffee. Flavore of anise, sweet molasses and roasted coffee dominate the palate. Like all of Dilewyn’s offerings, Vicaris Winter is never filtered. Instead it is only cold clarified by lagering for at least one month. This is one reason why the beer is so well attenuated and smooth. You would never guess it was 10% ABV.”
Xmas 2012 – St. Arnold / Sailing Santa
We stay in Texas for our next holiday beer from St. Arnold Brewing….
“A perfect blend of our Elissa IPA and Christmas Ale.”
Xmas 2012 – The Bruery / Five Golden Rings
2012 has been a good year at The Bruery and here is a snapshot of their holiday offering…
“This is the only golden ale in the bunch but it definitely packs a holiday punch. We spiced up this 11.5% ABV ode to Winter with cinnamon, allspice and ginger along with some delicious sweet and tangy pineapple.”
Xmas 2012 – Karbach / Yule Shoot Your Eye Out
I am a big fan of the now classic “A Christmas Story”. (All other versions and sequels are abominations unto my eyes) and this cheekily named beer from Karbach has a cool label and hopefully a cool beer inside….
“This, our Winter seasonal, is a black ale spiced generously with cocoa nibs, orange peel, ginger, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It truly is the holidays in a glass.”