Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Indeed Brewing Stir Crazy Winter Ale/ Minnesota
” A new season means new adventures. We created Stir Crazy Winter Ale to warm you from within during the coldest time of year. Our sturdy winter warmer is brewed with cocao nibs, vanilla, raisins and brown sugar. Layers of malty goodness create a dark ruby color and satisfying notes of chocolate and rich caramel, while pulverized raisins and brown sugar provide a fruity complexity. Bundle up and enjoy!”
Sebago Brewing Slick Nick Long Winter Ale / Maine
” Slick Nick Winter Ale is our most popular seasonal ale. The caramel and black malts we use to brew Slick Nick gives it the deep amber color. This insidious brew is best enjoyed during New England’s freezing winter months. “
An excellent name for a Christmas ale. Even though the song is one of the more annoying of the season. Here is Two Front Teeth from Kissmeyer…
Photo taken at Belmont Station in Portland by yours truly. No beer description available.
Back to the U.S. and you get a Lump O’ Coal from Buzzard’s Bay….
I couldn’t find a description of this beer but I loved the label. Minimal but effective.
Off to Belgium and the gnomes of Achouffe…
“The N’ICE CHOUFFE is a strong dark beer that will warm you up during the winter months. It is spiced (with thyme and curaçao) and a light hop taste, a well-balanced beer. The N’ICE CHOUFFE is unfiltered, and re-fermented in the bottle as well as in the keg.”
We head to Washington State for our next holiday hop from Schooner Exact…
“The Dark Ale Troika – molasses, coffee, and chocolate – shines through here, gilded by orange peel, thyme, sage, and dark honey. Big, warm, welcoming – this is an emerging NW classic!”
The second holiday beer up for review is the 3rd version of the Session line from Full Sail in Hood River, Oregon.
Here is Fest Session….
“When we decided to brew a special Session for the holidays, we knew right away what color it had to be: Red (and full-bodied). Next, we considered what kind of head it should have. Bright white was the obvious answer. And as for the label? Gotta be green, right? So there you have it. A new Session all decked out for holidays, ready to spread joy and cheer. Happy Holidays to one and all! And have a good Session.
Session Fest is a Czech-style strong lager (gotta love the Czechs!) called polotmavé or literally “light dark or semi-dark.” Brewed with 2 Row Pale malt, Munich malt, Caramel malt and Wheat malt and hopped with a blend of Glaciers and Cascades, Session Fest has a medium to full body balancing candy caramel and full malt flavors that are underscored by a spicy hoppiness that provides a nice perfume with citrus and pine overtones and a long clean finish. 6.2% ABV 26 IBU”
The Brewery – Port City
The Beer – Tidings Ale
The Details
“Crafted by Head Brewer Jonathan Reeves, this strong Belgian style blond ale is made with local Maryland wildflower honey and Virginia wheat, and is gently spiced with coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger and grains of paradise.”
The Brewery – Howe Sound
The Beer – Father John’s Winter Ale
The Details
“A rich, malty seasonal ale brewed every fall for the winter months, this ale is made with four different malts, Nugget & Hallertau hops, and a complex blend of spices. It is named for John Mitchell, Howe Sound’s original brewer.”
The Brewery – Boulevard
The Beer – Nutcracker Winter Ale
The Details:
“Nutcracker Ale is Boulevard’s holiday gift for real beer lovers. This hearty, warming brew is a classic winter ale, deep amber in color, with hints of molasses balanced by the “spiciness” of freshly harvested Chinook hops.”