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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.”
We head back to Colorado for a beer with some scratch to it. Sandy Claws from Avery Brewing. And at 14.5% this is a big one, “Imperial Stout infused with fresh peppermint and cacao nibs. Aged in fresh Bourbon barrels.”
The suggestions this month are appropriately Christmas themed and come from close to home and from far away.
~LIGHT
Deschutes / Jubelale 6.70% ABV
“A dark, malty celebration ale with layered flavors and beautifully balanced hopping. Jubelale pours deep garnet in color, medium bodied, with notes of chicory, earth, spice and fruit. To beer lovers, it’s like Yule fire and family.”
~MEDIUM
Karl Strauss / Nine Bonfires Blazing 7.50% ABV
“It’s golden hour. Time to reflect on the day, dust the sand off your blankets, and surround yourself with good friends. The night hasn’t turned dark yet, so why should your beer? Introducing 9 Bonfires Blazing, the 9th installment in our “Twelve Days” holiday series. Just like sweater weather in San Diego, this winter warmer is quite the oxymoron. Brewed with coffee, vanilla beans, and rolled oats (but without roasted barley!), it is blonde in color but has all the aromas and flavors of a bold, American stout. Pop open a beach chair and join us – ’tis the season for sharing stories and stouts around the fire.”
~BIG
St. Bernardus / Christmas Ale 10.0% ABV
“St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is the youngest descendant in the illustrious family of delicious Abbey Ales by Brewery St. Bernardus. This specialty beer is characterized by its deep dark colour, with a creamy, thick head and a full, almost velvety taste with a fruity nose. It’s a seasonal ale, brewed annually for the holiday season. The long winter nights are perfect moments to savour this ale with or without friends and to enjoy its unique, complex taste and after-taste.”
All of these beers can be found at Sunset Beer Co. (unless they got bought up real quick)
We add a sour to the holiday countdown from Washington State…
Reuben’s Brews, a Seattle based brewery adds a festive ingredient list to their beer with orange spices and cranberry to the traditional German Gose style.
Each year around this time, I bring up whatever cellared Anchor Christmas Ale’s that are left. This year, I have 2013-2017 to taste and give bite-sized reviews of…
2013 –
smells a bit papery. Some soy sauce hits off this one. Still has some spritz to it. Some spruce tips as well. Little bit salty to my taste.
2014 –
a slight chocolate aroma. A lighter soy sauce but still savory. Seems plainer than 2013. Less back-up flavors. Seems a little more substantial as well.
2015 –
not much aroma to my nose. A return of the pine and spruce notes. Not carbonated but not thick either. A bit of cola flavor. Closer to 13 than 14.
2016 –
chocolate and pine notes. Tending down I think, touch to more sour. Touch of cherry. A bit chewy.
2017 –
this year’s model. Little fruity to me. Good sparkle to it. A bit thin. Malt seems less pronounced.
Short’s Brewing is next to appear on the Christmas Ale list with a new entrant, Juicy Tree.
“Juicy Tree is an experimental India Pale Ale made with blue spruce tips, juniper berries, and cranberries. Big aromatics of piney evergreen and sweet berries tingle the senses. After some slightly tart and tangy flavors up front, a harmonious balance between pleasant fruit sweetness and bitter pine is reached. The finish is laced with a resiny stickiness that flows naturally into a lasting bitterness.”
The next winter stop is Asheville, North Carolina for Highland Brewing’s Cold Mountain.
“It is typically malty in body, lightly hopped, and rounded out with a delicious mix of spices that vary from year to year as we search for the best vanilla, hazelnut and other flavors.”
What was started after Thanksgiving continues as the Holiday Ale Daily Advent Calendar (HADAC) highlights Winter Warmers from all over the globe. Including the infamous Anchor Holiday Ale which I will review many years of. There will also be many Portland beers to review from my recent trip but don’t fret, there will be plenty of LA Beer news to convey.
~ E-visits to three breweries from the Dallas Design District such as Texas Ale Project, Noble Rey and Peticolas
~ Reviews of various years of the Anchor Holiday Ale including the new 2014 version
~ Heads-Up on festive Los Angeles Beer Events throughout the month
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world
~ … and Session # 94 will converge bloggers onto a single topic, this month it is Your Role in the Beer Scene
Here are two events to get your December started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) December 5th New Belgium Sour Seminar at Library Alehouse
2) December 18th Beachwood 8 Double IPA Release