Time to add the seasonal flavor flair. The Great Divide Yeti has us covered with peppermint bark in their imperial stout.
Santa’s Pint Glass – Day 5
Santa’s Pint Glass – Day 4
Santa is off to Germany for his next pint from Landskron…
“The elegant festival beer for special enjoyment in winter. A beer with a balanced aroma, in which the malt notes are harmoniously paired with floral hop scents. It promises a pleasure with a full, round body, in which a fine hop bitterness is perfectly integrated and which ends with a full malt body.”
Distance Christmas Beer # 27 – Tripel Dog Dare from Great Lakes Brewing Company
In a Brewing label world that likes to steal intellectual property, it is good to see a brewery be clever and respectful while also using the word tripel as a pun. Great Lakes Brewing Co. not only goes Belgian instead of IPA but graces the label with the havoc causing Bumpuss pack of canines.
Distance Christmas Beer # 26 – Winter Haze from Schlafly Brewing
As we get near the end of another holiday beer season, time to break out a new IPA style, the WHIPA! Here is how Schlafly describes this hoppy offering, “blend malt, wheat, and oats with pounds of Idaho 7, Strata, and Sabro hops for a beer that results in a winter white out you can pour in a glass. After a hefty double dry-hopping process, this limited release IPA embraces the haze and packs a massive wave of juicy hop flavor.”
Distance Christmas Beer # 21 – Candy Cane Imperial Stout from DuClaw Brewing
Wherever you land in the pastry stout debate, you have to admit that a candy cane is a quintessential Christmas flavor which makes it perfect for inclusion on the list of ingredients for any holiday beer. DuClaw has whipped up an imperial stout to balance out the mint.
Distance Christmas Beer # 18 – Winter Sage from Cascade Brewing
As the winter beers continue in our distanced year, we get a little sour but also wise with Winter Sage from Cascade Brewing with grocer Market of Choice. The beer is described as a “sour wheat ale aged in oak barrels for up to 10 months, then infused with fresh, locally grown sage, white tea, lemon peel, coriander and Oregon coast sea salt.”
Distance Christmas Beer # 16 – Three King’s from Raices Brewing Co.
I really love the label design for the 3 Kings series of beers from Raices Brewing Co. in Denver. Notice how each of the three “kings” is holding a different H. Home, heart and hops. Very clever.
Distance Christmas Beer # 13 – Crunch Enhancer from Martin House
Next on the Christmas agenda is getting the Christmas tree from the lot to the spot in the window at home. And this lactose, pecan and Amaretto stout from Texas and Martin House Brewing will be great for after the tree is up.
Distance Christmas Beer # 11 – N’ice Chouffe from Brasserie d’Achouffe
Belgium is our next stop for a winter seasonal that is quite N’ice. Brasserie d’Achouffe has brewed up a dark ale that is lightly hopped with additions of thyme and curaçao to lend a spicy kick.
In the Taplines for December 2020
Happy last holiday of 2020! The rollercoaster year started high and then Covid cases went higher so it is a tough time for breweries so make this a give beer as gifts year.
~ e-visits to more GABF medal winning breweries
~ special featured reviews of holiday seasonals
~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events (Far in the future events)
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to The Christmas Podcasts Podcast
~ 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.