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From Block 15 in Corvallis to Calapooia Brewing in Albany which is just around the corner almost.
Another fun and cheeky name for a holiday ale is Kringle Krack. Krack is a strong Winter Ale with a forceful malt profile backed by three different types of hops. Then it is aged for eight months to take it from strong to old and strong. Like Kris Kringle himself.
I have many reasons for highlighting Holiday ales. Some are old friends that I enjoy returning to and others I have never had but hope to.
This beer from Block 15 falls into the latter category.
Plus it has a cool name. and second plus, it is one of the first beers to be bottled by this Corvallis, Oregon brewery.
UPDATE: I have been reading the Portland beer blogs and it looks like this one may ALREADY be gone! If you see one, grab it!
I have posted about this South American brewery before and now I am back with their Holiday ale. A Beglain Dark/Strong ale.
Jerome is one of the breweries that I have yet to sample from. Hopefully that will change in 2011!
One of the Portland places that I miss because I am in Los Angeles is Hedge House, part of the mini-empire of the Lompoc Brewing maestros. Partially because of their awesome line-up of Holiday beers.
Where most breweries have one or two Christmas ales, Lompoc goes out and includes Hanukkah in the mix too…
“Portland’s first Hannukah seasonal, 8 Malty Nights is a Chocolate Rye that features a roasted chocolate flavor and a sweet finish. It is dark brown in color and lightly hopped with English style hops (6.5% ABV). Bourbon Barrel Aged 8 Malty Nights was brewed for Hannukah 2009 and aged in bourbon barrels for nine months. It features a roasted chocolate flavor with hints of bourbon and oak (6.5% ABV).”
Double Mountain is one of my favorite spots in glorious Hood River and I do love their winter offering….
FA LA LA LA LA
“T’is the season for a big, malty hop bomb! We load up our holiday brew up with enough Centennials to fill Santa’s toy bag. A big malt bill provides a rich counterpoint to all those hops.”
Now this sounds like your typical Holiday ale.
“Spiced for the holidays with honey, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and Santa’s secret recipe.”
This Thirsty Dog offering would go well with pumpkin pie.
A great way to start the Holiday Beer reviews is with a hoppy bomb from Full Sail Brewing, here is Wreck the Halls
I had my first sip of Sun King beer this year and now I want more!
Their winter offering comes with an ominous name and the word “imperial”. I recommend this beer because it is from a small place working in the shadow of 3 Floyds and because it is an ESB which is an undermade style the rest of the year. Let alone at Christmas.
Plus I love that these guys do the can beer thing too.
After finally having my first Great Lakes beer at the Beer Bloggers Conference, I am looking forward to maybe finding this under my tree!
Another really cool label with great graphics. And if Edmund Fitzgerald is any indication this spiced ale should be really good.
What a great name for a Holiday beer! And it fits the Grand Teton image perfectly. I know that LA gets the big special bottles from these guys so I will be looking for it. In the meantime, check out the brewery description…
“The one exception to the rule is the holiday season, roughly Thanksgiving through Christmas. Between the holiday work parties, Thanksgiving dinners, and abundance of thoughtful friends who buy beer for gifts instead of electric socks, the holidays mean one little whirlwind of activity for brewers. In order to celebrate the holiday season, we here at GTBC have decided to brew an annual holiday ale. Unlike many other holiday ales which are often flavored with festive spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, our inaugural edition refrains from additives and keeps it simple.
This Belgian-style Quadrupel ale is full-bodied and robust, boldly showcasing flavors of sweet dried fruits delivered on a smooth, velvety palate. Specialty malts and roasted barley give this beer a sweet malty aroma that complements its complex fruitiness. Brewed in the Belgian tradition with dark candi sugar and a Trappist ale yeast, Coming Home Holiday Ale is rich and flavorful, meant to be shared and savored among friends.”