XMAS BEER – Calapooia Kringle Krack
From Block 15 in Corvallis to Calapooia Brewing in Albany which is just around the corner almost.
Another fun and cheeky name for a holiday ale is Kringle Krack. Krack is a strong Winter Ale with a forceful malt profile backed by three different types of hops. Then it is aged for eight months to take it from strong to old and strong. Like Kris Kringle himself.
XMAS BEER – Block 15′s Figgy Pudding
I have many reasons for highlighting Holiday ales. Some are old friends that I enjoy returning to and others I have never had but hope to.
This beer from Block 15 falls into the latter category.
Plus it has a cool name. and second plus, it is one of the first beers to be bottled by this Corvallis, Oregon brewery.
UPDATE: I have been reading the Portland beer blogs and it looks like this one may ALREADY be gone! If you see one, grab it!
XMAS BEER Video Review – Wreck the Halls
A great way to start the Holiday Beer reviews is with a hoppy bomb from Full Sail Brewing, here is Wreck the Halls
XMAS BEER – Coming Home from Grand Teton
What a great name for a Holiday beer! And it fits the Grand Teton image perfectly. I know that LA gets the big special bottles from these guys so I will be looking for it. In the meantime, check out the brewery description…
“The one exception to the rule is the holiday season, roughly Thanksgiving through Christmas. Between the holiday work parties, Thanksgiving dinners, and abundance of thoughtful friends who buy beer for gifts instead of electric socks, the holidays mean one little whirlwind of activity for brewers. In order to celebrate the holiday season, we here at GTBC have decided to brew an annual holiday ale. Unlike many other holiday ales which are often flavored with festive spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, our inaugural edition refrains from additives and keeps it simple.
This Belgian-style Quadrupel ale is full-bodied and robust, boldly showcasing flavors of sweet dried fruits delivered on a smooth, velvety palate. Specialty malts and roasted barley give this beer a sweet malty aroma that complements its complex fruitiness. Brewed in the Belgian tradition with dark candi sugar and a Trappist ale yeast, Coming Home Holiday Ale is rich and flavorful, meant to be shared and savored among friends.”
3 French (via Belgium) Hens
If you have any spare bottles of A Partridge in a Pear Tree or Two Turtle Doves, then you can have a nice Holiday ale tasting by getting the third in the series from the Bruery.
“The third verse of our ‘Twelve Beers of Christmas’ saga incorporates vinous and oaky notes into a bold and spicy dark ale. 10% ABV.” This years Holiday ale is 75% Belgian-style Dark Ale and 25% ale aged in French Oak barrels.