Nathan Berrong works at CNN's satellite desk and this is the fourth installment of his beer column. He Tweets at @nathanberrong and logs beers at Untappd. Drink up.
Everyone has their own way of welcoming Christmas. For some, it’s putting up a tree or shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. For me, and beer nerds around the world, it’s purchasing the first of many Christmas and winter-release beers. These beers are made to please the taste buds and warm the body from the cold temperatures outside.
Traditionally, this is accomplished from adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg or adding bitter ingredients like coffee and dark chocolate. Some brewers have bucked this trend and instead of brewing the more traditional Christmas-style beers, they brew their own interpretations of them, which include styles like IPAs or wheat beers. Regardless of the style, these are the beers I look most forward to coming out each year.
Below, I have selected 11 winter only-release beers that include a wide range of styles. Although they’re not all Christmas-specific beers, each one of them would make a stellar last-minute gift or to enjoy with family and friends around the holiday table. I’ve also included one at the end that’s brewed by our fellow Jewish brethren. Most of the beers I’ve selected are heavy beers and contain a good amount of alcohol. Because of this, drink these beers somewhere between cellar temperature and room temperature or around 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy.
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
I consider this the staple of all Christmas beers, not only because of its literal name, but also because it embodies everything a good Christmas beer should be - complex in flavor, beautiful in sight and pairs exceptionally well with food (especially holiday foods like ham, turkey, and sweet potatoes). The taste of the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is mostly dark fruits like figs and raisons and has a touch of caramel that warms up as it goes down. Truly delicious.
N’ice Chouffe (pictured)
This is probably my favorite Christmas beer and is easily the one I look most forward to coming out each holiday season. The Achouffe (translates to “gnome”) brewery is obsessed with gnomes and puts them on all of their bottles, glasses, and signage. Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something awfully winter wonderland-esque about gnomes which is why I love drinking this beer when it’s extra cold outside. N’ice Chouffe is brewed with thyme and curaçao and has flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with a strong alcohol presence. At 10% ABV, it’s sure to warm up even the coldest of hearts.
Gouden Carolus Noel
The history of Het Anker, the brewery who makes Gouden Carolus, dates all the way back to 1471 when a group of religious women, called Beguines, began brewing beer. Different styles of beer were brewed according to the seasons but in 1964 they stopped production of their Christmas beer. Someone at the brewery wised up (thankfully) and in 2002 they brought back their Christmas beer to the delight of beer geeks everywhere. This beer pours a dark red color and is brewed with six different kinds of secret herbs and spices, but I would bet one of them is anise due to the strong licorice flavor that’s present.
Corsendonk Christmas
This holiday release from the Corsendonk brewery is a little lighter in body than it’s Belgian friends listed above, but what it lacks in body it makes up for in taste. It’s flavor can be subtle at first, but the more you drink it, the more you begin to taste the complexity of everything going on in this dark ale. It’s brewed with roasted malts and a touch of coriander and makes for a great beer now or stored away to be enjoyed years later.
The Bruery Four Calling Birds
When the Bruery began in 2008, they started a tradition that has become one of the most talked about beer releases each year. It’s their "12 Days of Christmas" project, which started with Partridge in a Pear Tree (if you have one of these you can part with, get in touch with me ASAP!) and will end in 2019 with 12 Drummers Drumming. The idea is to keep one of each release, or as close to it as possible, and then in 2019 have the most amazing beer party, tasting each of the 12 beers in the series. This year’s offering is brewed with gingerbread spices in the style of a winter warmer. I haven’t tasted this one yet but if it’s anything like ones before it, it will be outstanding.
Karl Strauss Two Tortugas
Karl Strauss follows in the footsteps of The Bruery with its second installment in their own 12 Days series, but with a twist. Instead of naming each beer after the literal 12 Days of Christmas, Karl Strauss names their beers after something related to their home, San Diego. The first was last year’s “Parrot in Palm Tree” and this year’s release is the Spanish word for turtles, Tortuga. This one has a syrupy mouthfeel with a strong toffee presence and is brewed in the quadrupel style. And if you need any more reason to check it out, it won a Bronze medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival!
Odell Isolation Ale
Odell Brewery is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, so they know a thing or two about cold weather. This beer isn’t specific to Christmas per se, but it is specifically meant to be enjoyed in colder temperatures. It’s brewed in the style of a winter warmer and has a malty caramel and toast flavor with a subtle hop finish. At 6% ABV it’s one of the few on this list you can drink quickly, but why rush a great thing?
Sierra Nevada Celebration
It goes without saying that Sierra Nevada knows what it’s doing when it comes to IPAs and this one is no different. It’s my favorite IPA of theirs and although India Pale Ales are usually associated with spring and summer, this one totally works as their Christmas/winter release. I think that's because of all of the pine flavors and aromas that come through with this beer, and it’s also extremely crisp, just like walking outside on a cold winter morning. This one should be served colder than the rest because it’s an IPA, which can taste a little skunky if it gets too warm. Serve this one around 45 degrees.
Bell’s Winter White
This winter-only release is brewed in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but relies heavily on the wheat-loving Belgians for its taste. It’s brewed with Belgian yeast and contains barley and wheat malts, which give it a banana- and clove-like taste and aroma. When poured into a glass the beer has a murky appearance and is sure to please wheat beer fans everywhere. This one also deviates from the norm of winter beers not only because of its style, but also because it doesn’t contain any spices. Some of the best beers in the world are ones that do not play by the rules and this beer is a testament to that.
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout
Sam Calagione, founder and President of Dogfish Head, is probably the most famous and recognizable person in the beer world today. This is due large in part to the short-lived Discovery Channel show, "Brew Masters", but also because of Sam’s creativity in his beers and his passion for championing beer in America, not only on the streets, but also in Washington. On top of all that, he’s the nicest person you’ll ever meet. When this guy brews beer, people pay attention. And people have been paying attention to his winter release, Chicory Stout, since 1995. This is a stout like no other and is brewed with chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John’s wart and licorice root. All of these together make for a bitter coffee and dark chocolate taste with a touch of smokiness. It rules!
Shmaltz Jewbelation 15
I don’t want to leave out my Jewish brothers and sisters, so here’s a beer just for you (although this beer is really for anyone with discerning taste buds). The Shmaltz brewery began brewing “chosen” beer 15 years ago and starting in year 8, they released their first Jewbelation anniversary beer with 8 different malts, 8 different hops, and clocking in at 8% ABV. They’ve continued this routine ever since and this year’s Jewbelation is their most ambitious and arguably the best. It has an intense malt flavor which overpowers the 15 different hops varieties in the beer. It goes down very smooth and hides its alcohol extremely well, so be careful as you sip on this one. Shalom.
Do you have any holiday traditions that include beer? Maybe my list didn’t include your favorite Christmas or winter beer? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
I scientifically worked out that if you put a neutralizing tube stick of a certain gas – maybe pure oxygen you can diffuse the high alcohol factor in various liquor including beer, whiskey, scotch, rye, vodka, wine, etc. while maintaining a good flavor, so you can have instant non or low alcohol beer out of any beer brand without buying that one or two specially made non-alcoholic beer, which was my invention – stolen ages ago for all non-alcoholic beverages. now the opposite may occur because i am sometimes fogged on my chemistry mixes. and it may combust to do that, and that is why may certain heavy drinkers combust, if they have a lung problem after being on a bout of drinking and they use an oxygen tank to clear their lungs. but i have to think that out more. when analyzing it a few weeks ago or less i arrived at the conclusion of another energy power source for automotive transportation travels. there is more to it. prior to i was reviewing my earthquake causing theories of geological chemistry factors. Given that there is oil everywhere no matter where you go but some countries don't extrude or drill the oil out for marketing and others do it heavily the oil may be getting unbalancedly drawn away from another directly unused or undrilled area leaving a vacuum or pockets of void subterranean layers that may fill with other elements of energy resources – the various other 5 or less of 6 gases or energy sources that mix and create explosions and implosions and cave-ins causing earthquakes. i came to that conclusion based on where earthquakes have been occurring in comparison to where a lot of heavy oil extrusion is done in nearby country regions. As i stated decades ago about those marbles near calfornia of bad resource problems that needed mining in the offshore areas which i drew psychicly on my old wall map which is back on my wall now at my new location in my bigger kitchen office computer table wall area. – 83 approx. drilling of the area needed to be done to release the geological layer pressure in the fissuring earth to stop the earth tremors and quakeing which they did eventually but they installed poorly designed bad technology expertise wells everywhere which erupt often in fires in the california state. the expert oil companies did not do the work and therefore a bad hazard condition of another kind resulted. reversing to the diffusion formula instrument of alcohol in drinks somewhere in that is the creation of wood alcohol fuel in better efficient form from not only tree wood but woody plant waste material as harvested grain and corn remains and such. that re-inforces my man made fossilized fuel oil. except fossilized animal matter is supposed to get introduced into the production formula as well somehow but i have to finish my theorizing and proofing of factors of analysis and some lab work. in my home lab which i know how to use for home lab work verification. without needed those big big research laboratories. now if no explosion occurs in the more fire frictioning kind but the oxygenation of the alcoholic drink does diffuse the alcohol in a slower harmless way by just fizzing it out the top of the glass, just like speeding up how a beer bottle or drink left uncovered or even when covered goes flat after a certain time. same with soda pop. it needs to be made to go flat in its alcoholic strength faster so the flavor is preserved and maybe some alcohol is left in it but not much and some carbonation where beer is tested is preserved. In production of alcoholic drinks of all kinds it is difficult to guage the levels of fermentation as compared to levels of alcohol to maintain that taste sensation result for each alcoholic beverage product. It is too costly in otherwords to do that for every product, it would mean doubling or trippling facilities, plus there is no retail storage shelf space to handle those. so voila a solution for the consumer to do that for themselves at their table if they desire for every drink or for their second or third or all night drinks whereby they just want something tasteful to drink without the drunkenness factors and sickness damage factors and driving ability impairment. theresa noelle younan ymma-iii interpole galactica younan research management
Clipper City's seasonal Winter Storm is one of my favorites this time of year. My Dad got his idea of what Christmas should be from Dickens, I think, and no English celebration is complete without an ESB. This one is exceptional.
my favorite holiday beer... shiner holiday cheer, try you wont be dissapointed
Wow, but you people are all alcoholics. Sad really.
What's sadder is that you don't see that they aren't all alcoholics.
Hey Stupid, not EVERYONE who drinks is an Alcoholic....jeez this is 2011, you have the internet...I thought you would at least know this...morons never cease to amuse me.
It is not that sad really. I'm sure you have some vices we could disparage about too.
Jolly Pumpkin (from Dexter, Michigan) Noel de Calabaza is an obvious omission from this list. My hands down favorite for three years running. P.S the name is Jolly Pumpkin but it is not a "pumpkin" beer.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale! A few friends tried it for the first time this year and their first reaction was: "I didn't know you could bottle Christmas." so delish. I hope to see it on the list next year.
Anchor's Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Ale is the absolute staple of the winter season.
Delirium Noel
From New England ... Prelude Christmas Ale from Shipyard brewery, Portland ME. Must be enjoyed in a pint glass. Wonderful hop ... almost a crimson color with a gorgeous copper-color head. YUM!
"Raisons"? Indeed...
Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale and Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas. Both in Cleveland, Ohio.
Silent Night by Mother Earth and Paul's Christmas Vacation by Duck Rabbit
Best holiday beer, Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Best beer of all??? Bells Hopslam (out only a short time every year).
The Mad Elf from Troegs Brewery.....Those who have had it know.....
Already posted numerous times, but Great Lakes Christmas Ale is the best. I've got some set aside just for the holidays since it disappears by then. I've sampled and love hundreds of beers, but it's easily number one.
Hear, hear!
I couldn't agree more – how did it not make the list?! This beer sells out in the midwest within day – and in some locations, hours. Stockpiling is a must!
Leaving out the great Mexican Christmas beer- "Noche Buena" indicates how weak this article is/was.
Based on some of the beers listed... the authors would probably shamefully recommend putting a lime in the bottle [because it's from Mexico], anyway
If you're a stout fan- look for it... in a bottle w/poinsiettas [spelling] on it
Why bother drinking mexican beer at all !!!
Until the illegals go home there's no reason support their corrupt land and 3rd world economy because their all here stealing from us and drinking Bud..
Dear Denny- EVERYONE in America [including the "Native Americans"] {im}migrated here from somewhere else. Where I live [Cali] WAS Mexico before we took it from them. Even your family came here from somewhere else- for exactly the same reasons you irrationally hate Mexicans. Go pick some produce for next to nothing and THEN claim your job's being taken. Some of the best beers in the world [not the least- Bohemia] are from Mexico, owing to their history of being colonized by Germany. Lose the hate, brother.
JoeD-
Mexican beers aren't the worst. They're tied for SECOND worst .... right behind Chinese beer (worst) and tied with Japanese beer.
I am surprisd not to see Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale?
The Bell's Winter White is great; it's even better on tap if you can find it!
Nathan: Personally I think your list did exactly what it should have done: Lots-O beer lovers on here listing their favorites so we can all hear about beers that might just be regional, or so limited in release that we won't see them until next year. Everybody has a favorite, and that's what I love about the beer community. Unpretentious, eager to share and tastes that vary from pedestrian to cosmopolitan...and everything in between. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year to all my sud-sippin' buddies. Now everybody go grab a pint!
If you live in Texas, treat yourself to Shiner Cheer. Made only at the holidays. Delicious!
Samichlaus Bier. Only Brewed one day a year, December 5th and aged for 10 months. Hard to find, very strong (something like 15% ABV) but tastes like what an Austrian X-Mas should taste like. Great for dessert on December 24th, after a big meal with family and friends (that you actually like, don't waste it on your annoying brother-in-Law). I would reccomend sharing it thow. Good kick.
What the heck! No Saranac 12 beers of Christmas on this list!
Bell's Winter White? Are you serious? That is by far the worst that Bell's Brewery has to offer. In fact, your inclusion of that beer on this list makes me doubt the credibility of this list altogether. That beer is disgusting. If only one person reads this and decides to pass up Bell's Winter White, then my effort in this post is worth it. And I am a person who thinks Bell's Oberon is one of the best beers – or best beverages – ever. Everyone here in Michigan knows that Winter White is a vomitous black eye on an otherwise stellar brewer's reputation. Please, dear reader, do not buy Bell's Winter White. If it is your only foray into the offerings of Bell's Brewery, you will be sorely disappointed and miss out on a wonderful company otherwise. Amber Ale is awesome. Oberon is unreal. Winter White is disgusting. Just pick up Sam Adams' seasonal 12 pack and be happy that you didn't subject your tastebuds to the torture of Bell's Winter White.
At the risk of being trolled, I disagree; I have enjoyed Winter White in bottle and on tap. Really enjoyed both!
Bells Winter White is disgusting! Now, that said, Bells is a badass brewery and Bells HopSlam is the most delicious brew ever created!
Agree with your assessment of Hopslam and Bell's; I am satisfied that you will leave more Winter White for me :)
Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery is wonderful and should be on this list.
Winter Warlock from Bristol Brewery, Colorado Springs. I'd say its better than isolation ale...but I live in Fort Collins, so don't tell anyone oO
Great Lakes Christmas Ale...how is it not on this list?
Where can a guy get this beer everyone is speaking so highly of?
Anchor Steam Christmas Ale didnt make the list? Seriously?
Also, Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery in Oregon is fantastic.
I would have to highly agree with you on the Jubelale from Deschutes Brewery
Deshutes brewery is my favorite brewery in the US.... Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond. I have not tried the Holiday brew but will have too. I visited the brewery one year and they had a specila double stout brew...It was awesome. It went well with the Garlic burger.... I was very happy to see Deschutes show up in Texas stores recently.
OK, I agree that the Karl Strauss beers are pretty good. (I just visited SAN and loved the red trolley ale.) And I agree that Chimay grand reserve may be the best overall, but I also agree that it's not a Christmas beer. Fir my tastes, I'll take the NINKASI SLEIGH'R! A beauty of a dark double alt ale out of Eugene, Oregon. It's wonderful to see Ninkasi tip to the malty side, at least for Christmas.
WTF. No love for Troegs Mad Elf? Seriously people, you need to get your beer straight.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co St Nicholas Bock and Portland Me Gritty Mcduffs Cristmas Ale
SHINER BOCK CHEER. It has PEACHES!
Bridgeport's Ebenezer Ale is my seasonal favorite.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale!!!!!!
yuuuup...best beer ever
Great Lakes Brewery Christmas Ale...
OMG sooooo good!
Scaldis Noel
I live in Denver, so my winter beer technique is simply to go out and buy a beer. Better than naught chances I'll find something delicious.
This list is terrible. That's all I'm going to say because this author "beer critique" just doesn't get it... Obviously chose them based on their names.
There was a Christmas beer in Germany when I was stationed there called something close to St. Nicholas beer that was 12% alc...and the smoothest 12% I have ever had. Haven't seen it since. Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a close second!
Schamilitious (I can't spell in German). It's actually a 14% brewed in Vienna on December 6th each year, and my god is it amazing! They have it every once in a while at a German restaurant in Philly, I go get it there.
Are you talking about Pfungstadter St. Nikolaus beer? The brewery was near the base in Darmstadt.
this list is total crap without including america's original...anchor steam christmas...it is different every year and has been around since 1975...before any of these beers existed...when sierra nevada was still new albion (another great beer)
This list needs a Happy Ending.
I LOVE BLUE MOON SEASONAL...
You people are ALL alcoholics. Just sayin.
you sound like you're a joy at parties
Uhm...A drunkard you most certainly are.
Here's another MISINFORMED Troll....look up the definition of Alcoholic...if you don't approve of drinking why are you reading this article and comments?....you're a Trollaholic. Youtube called and wants to know where you are.
Please don't say it.
The only one of those I've ever seen is the Sierra Nevada. I guess the others aren't available on the west coast. If he thinks Sierra Nevada is good then he hasn't tried many west coast ales. Boonville and DeSchutes are light years better than Sierra nevada and if you really want to get serious try a Moylans or Lagunitas!
Agreed, not a single beer on the list from the NW. Try Deschutes Jubelale, awesome winter beer.
Winterhook from the Red Hook brewery ain't bad. And I cannot remember the name, but I think Pyramid has a winter beer as well.
This country is a few hippies away from making its best decision in a lifetime. They were right. Peace, love, and prosperity are inspiring. To think of these things as unreasonable possibilities is mindless slave crap. Revolutions and times of enlightenment are what make these fairytale things possible.
Harpoon Winter Warmer...yum. A little better when you can find it on tap.
What a ridiculous list for not including Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Wow way to do your research there Nate.
Agreed. Great Lakes Christmas Ale is the gold standard and I've tried most – though not all – of the beers on this list. Cheers to Great Lakes.
I agree! I searched the list only to find it missing. GLBC was one of the most celebrated/imbibed beers at the Great American Beer Festival, with Christmas Ale being one of the first to dry up. Come on cnn.
You left off Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome. That puts most of the beers on your list to absolute shame. The only one that beats it is the St. Bernardus.
I was hoping somebody would mention the Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale...It is very balanced and goes well with every occaision...Although it is an import, I still love it! I know that I need to mention SunKing Brewery in Indianapois and the seasonal beer "Cowbell"... WOW smooth and like drinking a beer milkshake!
Sweetwater Festive Ale.. It's brewed slightly different every year. ALWAYS delicious.
SURLY, from Minnesota
Try Sleigher from Ninkasi (Eugene, OR).
EASILY Surly FTW. Anything they distribute is gold.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale with Cinnamon sugar on the brim of your glass. Better then any beer listed.
Great Lakes...Good choice. Sells out as soon as it hits the shelves.
I totally agree, Great Lakes Christmas Ale is the best! (Of course with cinnamon/sugar on the rim!)
This is absolutely correct, we all had these week in and week out on tap when we were in law school at Case Western in Cleveland!!
you are so right Josh! I miss the Great Lakes Christmas Ale from my days in Coventry. GL not sold in Maryland...onto Dogfish Head now. Cheers.
I think Coors Light is good this time of year. Because it is cold out and the beer is made in the mountains where it is cold. It is a great winter beer
I haven't had a Coors Light since before I turned 21, and I haven't looked back.
You're missing out. Coors Light is great for rinsing shampoo out of your hair.
duh !!! ???
Seriously! Coors Light is probably the worst beer on the market. If that is what you think is a good beer, then you do not know what good beer is.
yep...coors is naxtee
Coors Light (and all the other crappy "lights") aren't even technically beer..they are made with corn, rice and almost no malt or hops...Beer is made with malted barley,water, hops and yeast!!!
Coors Light is disgusting! It tastes like cheap perfume. I drank it once at a party in 1987,because that's all that was there. Hated it then and now. Horrible excuse for a light beer.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale is an absolute religion in Cleveland. While it may be true that the local brewery is a benefactor of the forever-loyal Clevelander spirit (see also Cleveland Browns), there is something truly magical about Christmas Ale. If you haven't tried it, you should.
Well said. I'm shocked that it's not on this list! They obviously have never had it. I live in Florida now and I'm trying to get people to ship me some.
Thanks for bringing up GL Christmas Ale. It isn't my favorite of their brews (Edmund Fitzgerald is), but it really has won the city over, and is more than worthy of mention here.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale is big in Michigan also. I'm from Ohio (sandusky) but live in Michigan, and I try to buy up as much as I can in both locations because it goes fast. Definitely should have been on the list.
Genesee brewery in Rochester NY has a great holiday beer. Festive ale from there Dundee line. Nice brew great Flavor and Aroma..
You have to be smoking crack to enjoy Celebration Ale
Granville Island Winter Ale [from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada]. I've tried almost 100 different beers from all parts of the world, but this one just... "shiver's me timbers" with each sip.
Deschutes Jubilale can't be beat.
HOP. SLAM.
BigFoot Ale
My favorite this time of year is Shiner Bock Holiday Cheer!!!
Shiner Holiday Cheer is SO GOOD.
BüRP! As the Shiner ad in Texas says!
Gouden Carolus Noel is a good beer.
Try the Lost Abbey – Judgement Day
I revied it in my iReport http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-699875
Greatest beer on earth: Chimay Grande Reserve.
I agree!
however it is not a christmas only beer...those monks drank all year
Alaskan Perseverance, I reitrate!
Golden City Brewery (Golden, CO) – Winter Black IPA ... Awesome!
Good one DanO, I'm lovin' the black IPA. Ever try Back in Black from 21st amendment? good stuff!
Hey show some love for Cleveland! Great Lakes Christmas Ale is great. Unfortunately, it sells out way before Christmas, so buy early and save some for your wassailing.
I second this. I understand everyone has their claim of microbrew genius, but Great Lakes Christmas Ale deserves to be on this list. My relatives in North Carolina tell me it is impossible to keep on the shelves there also.
Mac & Jacks African Amber. It's not Christmas beer, I know, but still- the best domestic beer I've ever tasted...
Not a "Christmas" brew, but I'll ALWAYS prefer my go-to ...
New Holland's "Dragon's Milk".
My favorite ... ANY time of the year!
A good article. It's too bad his grammar contains such glaring errors.
Brooklyn Brewing Black Chocolate Stout. Great Impy, one of my favorites for years...
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is exceptional and actually quite inexpensive for a craft brew. I'm definitely surprised it wasn't listed, but the list is solid otherwise.
Boulevard Brewing's Nutcracker Ale!!!
Boulevard Brewing Company (Kansas City) made a chocolate beer last Valentines day that was awesome, and sold out within minutes. They're supposed to do it again next Valentines day.
(We are making it again for sure, it's already in process.)
St. Arnolds!
For those of you who can have one drink and that is it, ignore this post. Though I doubt there are many out there who can have just one drink. I always joke, ah the holidays a time for Uncle Bill or Aunty Emma to get f-up and cause a nice holiday to go down the tubes. Time for Dad to get juiced up and beat Mom up for not cooking the food right. Ah, the holidays, nary a family that will be untouched by the family drunk!
Shiner Blonde for me please
Sheep Shagger from Tyranena is my all time favorite beer. Broke my heart last year when I found out it was a seasonal and had to wait for winter to come around again.
Sam Adams Tripple Bock
Not exactly easy to find anymore, since it hasn't been brewed since 1997. But if you _can_ find it, it'll likely be a lot cheaper than Utopias – the last few bottles I found (4 or 5 years ago?) were only about $15 each...
I'm always up for a good trippel.
Sam Adams Triple Bock has nothing to do with the Trippel style (and really not much to do with the Bock style). It _is_ big, however...
I was prepared to dis the author for not listing American beers, but he did a good job. BUT, where is Jubleale from Deshutes and Snowcap from Pyramid?? Dude, seriously. Also, Rouge's IPA release for the Season is a nice beer. Celebration this year is a disappointment. Its usually my #1 beer of Winter, but they lost something this year; lots of color, hops and alcohol, but no body....get it together Sierra, this isn't the time of year to be skimpy..... Merry Christmas, everyone!
These are not really beers, but ales. What says Christmas more than true strong lagers for the holidays? How about Samichlaus (Santa Claus) from Brauerei Schoss Eggenberg, or Mahr’s Christmas Bock from Bamberg? Or Penn Brewery's St. Nikolaus Bock Or at the very least, Sam Adams' Winter Lager?
"Not really beers"? You have to be kidding. Ales and Lagers are TYPES of beers, not polar opposities.
How about Deschutes Brewing Jubelale? Different complexities each year using only traditional ingredients. Or the oldest craft brewery in the U.S., Anchor Steam. They give us their 37th annual "Our Special Ale" this Holiday season.
Anchor Christmas, the one that I really look forward to. Every year the recipe changes a great one to collect and sample multiple years. Cheers!
Bravo Berrong! Winter. Best season for Beer by far. Keep it up brother, thanks for sharing.
another Ohio Brewery is Rivertown Winter Ale from Cincinnati and Three Floyds Alpha Klaus from Munster Indiana
You obviously have never been to Ohio and had the remarkable Great Lakes Christmas Ale brewed by Great Lakes Brewery. This beer is so popular in Ohio you have to know someone at the local store(Kroger, Giant Eagle, or local joint) that knows the delivery driver who know when shipments will arrive so you can be waiting at the store before it gets there to even have a shot at getting the beer. It also gets you torn up in the alley (10-11% alcohol content)
We call it "Christmas Crack"! yummmmm :-)
I'll try it .... but I'm not getting my hopes up.
Great Lakes is generally pretty "meh". Everyone from Cleveland seems to love the hometown brew, but I just don't see it. Try some New Holland brew and you'll see what I mean.
I don't like ANY of Great Lakes brews except for the christmas ale. And it's my favorite beer ever.
New Holland Dragon's Milk Ale rocks my world....once drove 3 hours to get it!
Berrong knows his beer. I will definitely be taking some of these home over the holidays to share with my father
It is a damn travesty that Mad Elf isn't listed on here.
p beer!lol!
Perseverance Ale from Alaskan Brewing .... their tasty 25th anniversary Russian imperial stout.
Shipyard Prelude!!!
Had Karl Strauss' Dos Tortugas recently and it is really good.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale is right there with Bell's Winter Ale
Quelque Chose, Unibroue's spiced cherry beer that is designed to be served hot, makes for a great finale to a Holiday Beer tasting event.
Long Trail's Coffee Stout
6 pack o dat Busch beer beets all dat jamin.
I was gonna say "Bud Light", but....;)
Silver City (Silverdale WA) Old Ebenezer.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale
I love the Bruery But The 4 calling Birds is NASTY!!!!! Oh if you like Troegs mad elf then try Brew works Rude Elf It's just a step better then mad elf.
DFH FTMFW!
MAD ELF
Missed Sam Smith's Winter Welcome! A classic.
Yes!! That's the beer I was going to mention as well. Everyone obviously has their favorites (and I now have a nice list of new ones to try), but Winter Welcome is awesome!
Magic Hat's Howl. A smooth beer that's perfect when it's slightly chilled.
Really think Skaldis Noel deserves a place among these.
You forgot about Troegs Mad Elf! How Dare YOOUU!!! = )
Can't list 'em all, Dude.
The Mad Elf will make you warm for the holidays!
Troegs Mad Elf... YUM!
Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale. Just have to find a beer store that sells singles so you can load up on them without having to buy the entire mixed pack.
All the beers in the current version of Sam Adams Winter Classics are outstanding (even the straight up Boston Lager). I particularly like the Holiday Porter, the Chocolate Bock and the Black & Brew which is a coffee stout. Just bought my second 12 pack yesterday. Another really good seasonal (not Christmas) beer is Kona's Pipeline Porter. A couple of friends have told me it is their favorite beer and it's one of mine. Interestingly enough, I purchased a bottle of the N'ice Chouffe a couple days ago to give as a Christmas gift for my buddy who makes his own beer.
Typing this has made me thirsty. Time for a cold one.
Yes, you have to buy a case of assorted brews in order to get 2 bottles of Fezziwig. It's just not right. Anyone have suggestions for a similar brew that is not being held captive by Sam Adams?
Thank you for bringing my dear friend Sam Adams into the fray. He doth hang about my midsection like holiday credit card debt (and a new-married wife about her husband's neck) - hardly to be shook off. I would be happy with a twelve-pack of Old Fezziweg.
Great article....having tasted most of the selections rated, I can say the author chose some of the best. There are, however, a huge number of christmas/winter beers not listed that are worth a try.
Here Here, I am with you on that one. One of the Primiere Christmas Beers one anyones list should be Stille Nacht!
beer da beotchz get da jiggy!
GRAB A 6 PACK OF ANY BEER AND ITS JUST A GOOD WAY TO WIND DOWN THE EVENING
Uhm .... no. "Any" beer? I wouldn't let Bud, Miller, Busch, etc pass my lips. Those are "let's drink to get drunk" beers. This article is about TASTE, flavor, body, etc. Secondly, I'd like to see you drink a 4-pack of Dragon's Milk @ 9-10% abv!
Well, aren't you special.
I LIKE JUST ABOUT ANY BEER. BEER GIVES YOU THE FULL BODY OF WHATEVER FLAVOR THERE IS THAT YOU DECIDE TO DRINK! TALK ABOUT A SCIENCE I BET THATS WHAT SANTA WASHES HIS BEARD WITH!