OT: Poll... Holidaytime Brews

Submitted by thevictors85 on

I'm throwing a Christmas party next weekend and most of the people enjoy sampling good beers. As one who always enjoys that too, I was wondering if people had any suggestions for good holiday brews or unique seasonal beers that might be something different than, say Sam Adams Winter Lager or whatever...

winterblue75

December 4th, 2009 at 6:07 PM ^

Bell's Christmas Ale
Goose Island Mild Winter
Samuel Smith Winter Welcome (import from England)

These are all very good and do a great job of being sampled at a holiday party.

QuarterbackU

December 4th, 2009 at 6:13 PM ^

Oh man, it's not holiday-themed or anything, but I've always loved having Imperial Stouts in the winter...Bell's Expedition Stout, Victory Storm King and Great Divide's Yeti are some of my favorites...all are somewhere between 15-20% alcohol, so they're sipping beers, the flavors are unreal...

Yinka Double Dare

December 4th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^

In addition to the Christmas beers already listed (Goose Island actually makes a Christmas beer too), there's also the venerable Anchor Christmas (actually called "Our Special Ale" or something like that), and some excellent Belgian ones -- St Bernardus Christmas, Delirium Noel, etc.

Also, definitely get a bottle of Jolly Pumpkin's Noel de Calabaza

Snowden

December 4th, 2009 at 6:21 PM ^

Deschutes Brewery has Mirror Mirror, their double batched Mirror Pond Pale Ale. It's technically a barley wine, since they age some of it in oak barrels.

It is just tits.

formerlyanonymous

December 4th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^

I'm enjoying a 6 pack of Saint Arnold's Divine Reserve #9 - The Imperial Pumpkin Stout. Good luck getting it outside of Austin/San Antonio/Houston. They only made 1,500 6-packs and about 40 kegs. That's TINY compared to what most craft brews normally are released at.

It's quite delicious with hints of ginger and pumpkin.

I miss Spring Lake

December 4th, 2009 at 6:28 PM ^

Not sure which of these you can get in your area...

Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve
Deschutes - Jubelale
Anchor Steam - Christmas Ale
Anderson Valley - Winter Solstice
Widmer - Brrr!
Bridgeport - Ebenezer Ale

Drawing a blank on some of the others I've tried out here. Of those, the Rogue is my favorite. I hope you can find it.

weasel3216

December 4th, 2009 at 7:50 PM ^

Not sure what type of beer you prefer or your guest prefer but if you like hops then i would go with Anchor Brewing Christmas Ale (the one mentioned before 2009)or Pyramid Breweries Snow Cap. Both are full of hops, but have a nice flavor to them.

If you are like me and like malts then i would go with Atwater Block Winter Bock. It is not a true bock, IMO, but is simply amazing. Another suggestion is Goose Island Christmas Ale, which has a nice blend of hops and malts.

Only problem with these is the cost, none are that expensive but i would estimate they are between $8-$13 for a six pack (not sure on Michigan taxes on beer.

Enjoy whatever you get!

umichzach

December 4th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^

but this off season (and winter) i think straight burbon is going to be my drink of choice. i've been favoring the boulliet lately but am looking to find something new. anyone got some new one's i can try other than the standard woodfords, beam, and makers?

Snowden

December 5th, 2009 at 1:06 AM ^

For the burbon (sic) stricken amongst us, there's some good ones, but I'm going to recommend the Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon for 09. They've done a solid by us, this year having a fruity nose like a muthafucka and a body like Joan Holloway.

Old Rip Van Winkle is an old standby that hasn't disappointed.

And to you under-agers and economical men with a beach volleyball court in your front yard-- Evan Williams tastes quite similar to Jack with about $12 less per 1.75 (Colorado prices). That'll do the trick, IME.

Bando Calrissian

December 4th, 2009 at 8:02 PM ^

I've yet to find a Christmas beer I particularly enjoy. Bell's Christmas and Sparkling Celebration Ales are both pretty bad, to name the first couple that come to mind. After the awesomeness that is the Halloween/Thanksgiving pumpkin ale season, Christmas is just a disappointment of spicy, busy beers.

clarkiefromcanada

December 5th, 2009 at 12:58 AM ^

If you are near the border (and like paying insane Canadian beer prices) you might consider Upper Canada Dark Ale (a bargain here at $30 per case)...if near Toronto or a high end LCBO in Windsor look for Tankhouse Coffee Porter ($44 CAD per case)...both would be seasonally appropriate.

jaster

December 5th, 2009 at 4:44 AM ^

Lots of great brews mentioned, including a few I still need to get my hands on and a couple I've never heard of (so thanks for the mentions!).

Another good one is Founders Breakfast Stout (Grand Rapids brewer).