Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Raise an Anvil to Hope with AleSmith’s 2021 version of YuleSmith.
“2021 YuleSmith is a collaboration with Anvil of Hope, founded by AleSmith owners Peter and Vicky Zien. This beer is our commitment to assist those in need and will directly assist in Anvil of Hope’s efforts in the community. Fan favorite YuleSmith is our Imperial Red Ale; although quite malty, big hop flavors are abundant making this an unforgettable winter warmer. Enjoy and thank you for helping us spread hope!”
Back to California as fast as we can because we have to catch up with The Bruery…
“Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with molasses, ginger, graham cracker, and spices
Run, run, run, as fast as you can… it’s gingerbread season, and we’re feeling festive! What better way to celebrate than with a delicious gingerbread-inspired imperial stout. We added a bit of molasses to the boil before aging in bourbon barrels. Then we added all the classic spices— cinnamon, allspice, clove, and nutmeg— along with graham cracker to capture the rich sweetness of a fresh gingerbread cookie.”
Hi-Wire Brewing wants us to be both elated and bitter…
… this holiday season…
“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.”
It hasn’t quite turned cold here in Los Angeles but maybe it will and Westbrook Brewing (not Russell) will have a beer for us.
Time to frost cookies and then have a beer that tastes like what you are doing. Southern Tier Brewing brings us Frosted Sugar Cookie…
“You won’t believe it’s beer and not a tin full of iced confections. Our Frosted Sugar Cookie Ale is full of soft and airy vanilla and cake notes, iced to perfection. Happy Holidays from ours to yours.”
Next up is a dickens of a beer from Silver City Brewing.
“Old Scrooge Christmas Ale is the brewery’s most award-winning beer. Through the years it has been awarded 13 medals that includes 6 from the Great American Beer Festival and one award from the World Beer Cup.
This take on an English-Style Barleywine is a malty ale that derives from a long boil time, cool fermentation and extended aging. Silver City uses a malt bill of NW Pale, British Pale, Caramel, and Munich with Columbus and Willamette hops.”
Who doesn’t want to see beer under the Christmas tree? Or the Christmas tree in the beer? Drake’s Brewing Co. has you covered for both with their Tree Beer IPA.
“We don’t stuff an entire Christmas tree into the brew kettle anymore, but Tree Beer’s legendary creation story endures with each delicious sip. Tree Beer IPA is a harmonious blend of fresh spruce tips, juniper berries, Chinook, and Idaho #7 hops.”
Time to fill a non-frosted glass with something seasonally appropriate, perhaps a Cold IPA?
Start a new ritual with this Cold IPA from Hopworks Urban Brewery.
This is where the Christmas rubber meets the holiday road. This month we dive into seasonals every day until Christmas plus Christmas beer reviews. Get your tinsel out.
~ e-visits to (3) breweries that made the Craft Beer & Brewing Best Of List
~ special featured reviews of beers with a touch of the Christmas.
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads Foundation by Isacc Asimov
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to My Dad Wrote a Porno
~ Great Beer names and Best Beers of the Month
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.
Next up for the start of a new month is Washington State’s Fremont Brewing and their Imperial Winter Ale…
“This is a tasty Winter Ale to snuggle up to, released for the winter months when snow blankets the terrain of the mind and the body craves warmth and, let’s be honest, it’s dark and wet most of the time so your beer better be damn good. Winter Ale is dark like the weather with roast chocolate and warm malt flavors balanced by noble hop aroma and subtle hoppy spice.”