Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
Right back to Portland and Wayfinder because I heard a whisper of a winter warmer…
“This pale lager will warm your dreary winter night with notes of slightly sweet malt, fruit & warm spices. Conditioned to have light notes of Garyana ( Oregon White Oak) from Westward Whiskey.”
We all got a dose of what Jack Torrance got in the Shining in the last few years but time to turn the tables on sheltering in place with the traditional winter ale Cabin Fever from Boundary Bay Brewery.
“Rich and malty with a balanced hop character, our Winter Warmer is, by nature, deceptively strong. And with an extended conditioning period, Cabin Fever is blissfully smooth.”
Never had a figgy pudding, never even had a figgy newton for that matter. The texture of figs is a little weird to my delicate little palate but a figged up Belgian Quad, I will try what Angel City has for the holidays.
“Figgy Quadding is our take on a Belgian-style Quadrupel, or “Quad” for short, modeled after a winter holiday cake Fig Pudding. All the caramel and roasted malts along with Belgian Trappist yeast give it the raisin, plum, molasses and stone fruit flavors known in Quads which are delightfully smooth and tasty. It’s brewed with figs and holiday spices: coriander, nutmeg, tangerine peel, cinnamon and ginger. Then we barrel-age it in ex-Brandy barrels for 5 months for even more holiday warmth and flavor. Enjoy this dessert themed beer around the holidays in the company of others for a cozy, boozy experience.”
Colorado takes the spotlight today with Upslope Brewing and their festive red can of Christmas Ale.
“Holiday spices complement the dark fruit and spicy notes from Abbey Ale Yeast. The distinctive holiday aroma, ruby red color and rich malt flavor make this ale perfect for spreading Christmas cheer.”
The next winter stop is Asheville, North Carolina for Highland Brewing’s Cold Mountain.
“It is typically malty in body, lightly hopped, and rounded out with a delicious mix of spices that vary from year to year as we search for the best vanilla, hazelnut and other flavors.”
We look for a red nose for the next beer in the series of Christmas Ales from Iron Hill.
“For a limited time, this holiday favorite is filled with complex aromas and flavors of grapefruit, spice and banana with a refreshing hop bitterness.”
The holiday beers have been rolling onto the site fast. And it will continue until the Big Day arrives. Enjoy our last holiday season before the dark times
~ e-visits to three breweries from Iceland. Olgerdin, Olvisholt Brugghus & Vifilfell. Don’t forget about Einstock too.
~ special featured reviews of (wait for it) Christmas beers!
~ 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 Valiant Ambition about George Washington & Benedict Arnold
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.
Here are two events to get your December started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) December 7th – Far Bar hosts a ‘retirement’ party for Firestone Walker beers that are being discontinued.
2) December 14th – MacLeod Ales C.U.P. Hearing
For the next 24 days, I will treat you to some of America’s holiday offerings and we start in Florida at Cigar City…..
“A rich-bodied brown ale forms the stage for holiday flavors which dance a festive ballet highlighted by pirouetting leaps of Christmas inspired spices. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, rose hips and chamomile compliment the subtle chocolate and light coffee notes of the malt and the addition of roasted carob and chicory complete the performance.”
You may know me as Sean from Beer Search Party or Sean who has a column on FoodGPS or Sean who fills in the beer lists for the weekly LA Beer Blast but I am also a member of the 4 Points Beer Advisory Group. Which means that I will always be giving you info on their monthly events.
Looks like a great list and you can add dd Timmermans Pumpkin Lambic and Affligem 950 Cuvee – Quadruple Hopped to it. You won’t be disappointed if you buy a ticket or need a room after it.
I know that I am breaking my own cardinal rule about skipping over major holidays but one week from today the latest Holiday Ale Festival will take place in Pioneer Square in Portland. This is the place to be to sample rare and one-off beers that celebrate the cold time of year.
But don’t take my word for it, read this…..
“The popular event will feature four-dozen big, bold ales designed to fend off the cold chill of a long winter night. From IPAs, Belgians and barleywines to winter warmers, porters and stouts, these beers are crafted specifically for the event or are hard-to-fine vintages, helping secure the event’s reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent winter beer festivals.
What makes this festival standout from other similar events is the beer selection; the festival works with every brewery involved to make sure they can send a beer that has either been made specifically for the event, or is a rare or vintage beer that isn’t commonly tapped in the state. According to festival manager Preston Weesner, “It’s about the fans. This is a once-a-year event and these beer lovers are here to support their favorite brewery. When they get up to the taps and find something special, it further solidifies their support of Oregon craft brews and strengthens our reputation in the beer world as THE place to drink beer.”
For more information, visit their website or call 503-252-9899.