Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
We head out to McMinnville, my college town, for one of the best named Christmas beers out there, Tannen Bomb from Golden Valley Brewery.
“Massie complex beer brewed especially to bring warmth and cheer to the cold wet winter months of the great Northwest.”
This English beer was first shipped to the US way back in 1990. And Winter Welcome from Samuel Smith’s has been more than a welcome addition to the season.
Next up for the holiday ales, we head to Bellingham, Washington and Kulshan Brewing for their winter ale, Kitten Mittens.
A classic warmer, “The perfect beer for those cold months; this rich, medium bodied beer elicits nuances of chocolate, dates, and figs. Balanced bitterness and playful hop aroma fit like a mitten.”
We head to Ohio for today’s holiday ale from Hoppin’ Frog who is always good for a good beer name. The beer is described as a “Creamy Swiss-style holiday lager with a malty taste and aroma, low bitterness, and a reddish-brown color. Frogichlaus is mellow and soothing, the perfect beer to settle down for a cold winter’s nap.”
For the 20th beer of the holiday ale round-up, we head to nearby-ish Sierra Madre and the new RT Rogers Brewing Co. for their spiced Brown ale. Sounds like a good option for a Christmas meal beer.
Back to Oregon where they have a better chance at snow than we do here in SoCal. This next beer is from Hood River’s pFriem Family Brewers. Winter Ale has “hints of spice, orange zest, caramel and a touch of spruce tree. You may even sense the subtle notes of fruitcake, which might encourage you to share this Winter Ale with your family and friends. Unlike fruitcake, this is a beer that will not be re-gifted.”
We close out November with a Balaton cherry ale from Upslope Brewing in Colorado. This is the 15th iteration of their Christmas beer following the raspberry version from last year.
Santa heads to Texas next for this holiday beer from Saint Arnold, Ye Olde Christmas Ale is described as “a rich, copper colored, hearty ale perfect for the holiday season with a malty sweetness and spicy hop character. The generous use of five different malts is responsible for the full flavor and high alcohol level of this beer.”
We head hazy to local Eagle Rock Brewery and their multi-hued can of hazy IPA goodness, All Your Oats.
Available now. So get some before the 16oz cans are gone for the year.
Next up in the Christmas countdown comes from Lost Abbey, Gnoel de Abbey…
