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Each year Smog City Brewing releases Buzzworthy a “bourbon barrel-aged honey stout brewed with over 600 pounds of raw buckwheat honey…”
Two things have changed this year. First it’s in cans and there is a special red wine barrel-aged variant for 2024. And you know that Smog City does barrel-aged variants quite well.
On to Italy for some winter malt liquor from Birrificio Italiano, Yule.
“Yule is everyone’s favorite Christmas beer: whether you’re a holidays enthusiast or the Grinch, it will embrace you with warmth and a carol of spices; culminating in a surprisingly intense bitterness.”
Coming even closer to me is Frogtown Brewery and their Christmas is Cancelled.
It is a winter ale in a retro Palm Springs vibe label with notes of spice, caramel and nuttiness.
Let’s get back within my driving radius with holiday beers from SoCal for a couple days. First is the Winter Ale from Smog City Brewing.
“A bold blend of fall-inspired flavors awaits: juniper and pine top notes, sweet caramel and toffee aromas, and a bright, citrusy spruce finish.
Crafted with hand-crushed juniper berries, spruce tips, and a complex layer of crystal malts, this winter warmer is perfect for cozy fireside sips or pairing with your holiday feasts!”
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.”
I was reading one day, when I suddenly realized, I had not added the 2024 Firestone Walker Anniversary Ale to my rolling five year collection. I do not know why I had not recognized that deficiency earlier as each year I review the new edition. So I dutifully headed to the FW website only to find that XVIII is a Brewmasters Collective only release which was the second crappy thing that life had handed to me in November.
But when I calmed down, I reached out to learn, to my relief that the barrel-aged blend would indeed be purchasable by the likes of me and now I can review it!
Before we dive into the newest blend, let us cast our taste buds back to 2019 and the XXIII and see what five years has done for the beer.
The 2019 pours a close but not quite black color. The nose on it is cola, dark berry and a touch of chocolate. The first sip is giving me barleywine vibes as there is both a lightness on the palate with a bit of hop still there but that gets taken over, slowly, by the more roasty and cocoa hits so that the finish becomes quite smooth. Only at the end does a little alcohol burn poke out s little bit.
Now on to 2024 / XXVIII, headlined by 37% Stickee Monkee and 28% Bravo, both bourbon barrel-aged. In fact only 11% was not bourbon rested and that 11% was Rye barrel-aged. The other noteworthy bit is that a collaborative stout blend with Colorado’s Weldwerks makes up 7% of the beer.
And this blend pours a pitch black, not seeing through this. Smells clean with pops of vanilla. This is very smooth and has a nice combo of vanilla and caramel. Almost an ice cream swirl. I say this a lot but especially, in this case, how will this soft flavor age? As the glass warms, the bourbon notes start to assert themselves which gives me more hope.
Of the two, the new one is more my speed and more 2024 craft beer as well.
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.”
It has been quite some time since last I visited Ojai. Enough that I thought it was south of Ventura and not slightly north.
But there are a couple good beer reasons to visit. One is the Ojai location of Topa Topa Brewing. Second is the foraging and unique Ojai Valley Brewing.
The first is a nice Main Street spot with all the TT hits. I started with the red ale, Disco Solstice before moving on to can pours of the 2024 Howler Coffee DIPA and then the collaboration Extra Coasty XPA with Craft Coast of Oceanside. All three were strong but the cold brew taste and aroma of Howler was the clear winner.
After a beer siesta, a walk to OVB was in order and the Pixie Wit and Accidental Belgian at the start of the taster tray were strong. The Sugar Bush Pale Ale was good as well but the closer, Bruja, a barrel-aged stout was weak. The plus though is that the tasting room is also for Side Street Wine, so you can double dip.
For a third option, you can check out the selection at Ojai Beverage. There is a big beer cooler and some slightly overpriced spirits.
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.”