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Christmas Beer Time – Day 9

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.”

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Ojai

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.

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Christmas Cider Time – Day 8

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.”

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Review – Costco and Deschutes Vintage Ale 2024

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.

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Pirate’s Booty

Blackbeard’s Crafts in West LA on Sawtelle was brought to my attention as a potential craft beer shoppe and a quick perusal of their online offerings showed a tilt to foreign beers which if holds true in store could make this a good stop.  They also carry exotic snacks so it seems akin to Replicant in Pasadena.  I will schedule a visit and see if it is worth a detour.

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Only 80?

Around the World in 80 Beers by Martyn Cornell is on my Christmas list for sure not a funny giant chocolate advent calendar wish.  

My first thought when seeing the book title was, how many of these beers have I had? If this part of the description is any indication, not many. “The range of different beers covered is astonishing: not just the well-known, such as IPA, pilsner, and Imperial stout, but the rare and little-heard-of, such as Norwegian kveik ale, or Jopejskie, the thick, black, amazingly strong beer recently revived in Poland.”

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Christmas Beer Time – Day 5

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!”

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Footsie

Untappd the ticking app for craft beer fans is known for badges that you can accumulate with each beer you taste.  And now those badges are immortalized in footwear in time for the holidays.  How many of them have you achieved?