The mini Lucky Baldwins empire annually pours Christmas beers at is pubs and you still have time to hit up one and see what winter warmer leftovers you can find.
Do It Soon – 2 of 3
Christmas Beer Review – Christmas Ale from West 6th
I received this Kentucky Christmas beer from the Beer of the Month Club (Rare Beer Club division). If you haven’t checked out their clubs and the customizing you can do, then please do check them out.
I visited the Louisville NuLu outpost of West 6th Brewing and am glad to try another of their beers.
The Christmas Ale is Gingerbread right off the top on a light brown / red ale base. Almost an OG pastry stout. Big spice without being cloying. It is a 9% beer that tastes way, way slimmer. Deceptively easy to drink. Not a complex beer at all but simply tasty.
Holiday Cheers – Day 28 – Frost Bite Cold IPA from Two Brothers Brewing
Crack open another Cold IPA in the cold weather of winter with Frost Bite from Two Brothers Brewing…though I don’t know if sharks get it
“This delicious IPA was brewed with lager yeast and fermented at lower temperatures than what is normally used to ferment an ale. With the addition of some extra dry hops to create a crisp, clean taste!”
Holiday Cheers – Day 26 – Do I Even Like Eggnog? from Kane Brewing
Yes, I am firmly in the pro-nog camp. What I am not so sure of is an egg nog IPA. But if presented with Do I Even Like Eggnog? from Kane Brewing, I would grate the nutmeg and give it a sip.
“This festive IPA was brewed with pilsner, wheat, oats, and lactose, and lightly hopped in the whirlpool. After dry-hopping, this holiday beer was conditioned on ground cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and bourbon-soaked vanilla.
Do I Even Like Eggnog? pours with a festive hazy gold color and combines a creamy citrus hop expression with notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and light bourbon holiday spice.”
Holiday Cheers – Day 24 – Elated Winter IPA from Hi-Wire Brewing
One week till the big day, time to say, get elated? With a winter IPA from Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville.
“A balanced and hoppy ale perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire or getting outside on a snowy day. Celebrate the season with an India Pale Ale that doesn’t lack for pine and citrus peel notes from Michigan Chinook & Idaho 7 hops balanced by sticky caramel and toasted bread flavors from a carefully crafted malt bill.”
Holiday Cheers – Day 22 – Nutcracker from Wye Valley Brewery
Winter Warmer, to me, is synonymous with England and a pastoral pub, so let’s get a little British and say Happy Christmas with Wye Valley Brewery.
“An army of five malts bring forth this brew’s rich, smooth and nutty character. Local hops add balance and help make it a real Christmas cracker!”
Sean Suggests for December 2022
The last shopping list for the year and I think I found three beers that will close out 2022 in grand ( and collaborative) style…
Pedals & Pints / Driven Beer – Born to be Mild – 4% – “Dark Mild Lager, anew twist on an old world favorite.”
Beachwood Brewing / Green Cheek Beer – Always in Style IPA – 7.1% – “Like blue jeans and t-shirts, West Coast IPAs are always in style! Hops: Strata, Mosaic, Talus.”
Firestone Walker / Radiant Beer Co. – Camp Blanket Stout – 9% – “a S’mores Inspired Stout, in collaboration with Radiant Beer Co. And true to the “inspired” name, we captured the character of fire-roasted marshmallows and graham crackers without using any flavor extracts.”
Holiday Cheers – Day 21 – Hopbominable from New Realm Brewing
You kinda expect New Realm Brewing to have a winter IPA since brewmaster Mitch Steele wrote the book on IPA while at Stone Brewing.
“ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN, NOTABLE HOP-LOVER & FIEND FOR COLD DOUBLE IPAS! A UNIQUE MASHUP OF STYLES, COLD IPAS DELIVER THE CLEAN, CRISP FINISH OF AN AMERICAN LAGER WITH THE FULL HOP CHARACTER OF A DIPA. WE PACKED A CHILLING AMOUNT OF CASHMERE AND AMARILLO HOPS INTO THIS FRIGID BEAST TO PROVIDE NOTES OF MELON & CITRUS WITH HINTS OF COCONUT & PEACH.”
Christmas Beer Review – Gimme Yule, Gimme Fire from Stone
Christmas beers have been thoroughly invaded by IPAs but the holiday still brings wintry styles such as the bock beer. Stone Brewing has a new One Batch Dispatch holiday bock.
Here is my take on Gimme Yule, Gimme Fire: It is nice and malty. Very Germanic. The barrel char is not coming through in the typical Stone mega proportions. I was expecting ash and charcoal and whiskey but this is a pleasant little bock that does not taste 9% at all with a touch of sweetness to it. If it was labeled a Christmas bock, I would probably have viewed it in higher esteem.
Holiday Cheers – Day 19 – Crimson Bliss Cider from Two Towns
Beer can’t have all the winter seasonal fun, so let’s crack open a fruited cider from Two Towns Cider House…
“Tart & complex, Crimson Bliss is full of berry charm. Bright cranberries and black currants make this the perfect compliment for gathering around the fire this season, so take some time to kick back and enjoy a moment of bliss.”