As my belly can attest, I am a die-hard beer lover. Though I am indiscriminate about where or when I consume this beverage (I could give a TED Talk about the virtues of “shower beer” alone), December is my favorite holiay beer time. Summer beers tend to be light and fruity, fall beers are nutty or pumpkiny, but winter holiday beers can run a gamut of flavors. This time of year can call for anything from a sugary sweet brew to something dark and smoky to something earthy and fresh. Here are just a few of the beers I think you should include in your alcoholidays. May your days be merry and bright and may you always may all your holidays be full of beer.
Lost Coast Winterbraun
ABV: 8%
Type: Winter Ale
Lots of breweries make winter ales during this time of year. They tend to be more malty than hoppy and are often made with blends of sweet flavors and spices. Lost Coast is a woman-founded brewery in Eureka, California, that specializes in ales (their Raspberry Brown is also not to be missed). The Winterbraun is full bodied and subtly caramel flavored. Despite its sweetness, it’s crisp enough to drink a lot of without feeling bogged down. It also has a reasonably high ABV (alcohol by volume) so drink it if you want to be a little loose for when your mom asks what the hell you’re going to do with your life.
Ninkasi Sleigh’r Dark Doüble Alt Ale
ABV: 7.2 %
Type: Alt Ale
Ale yeast is fermented at colder lager temperatures to make this alt ale (altbier in German). Ninkasi is based in Eugene, Oregon, and is known for making truly gorgeous hoppy beers (including one made of yeast they shot into space), but Sleigh'r is not overly hoppy or bitter. Instead it has a nutty smell and a coffee finish that is reminiscent of a stout in terms of smokiness, without being overpowering. It is surprisingly crisp and drinkable for being as dark as it is and would be a good complement to something really sweet like pecan pie.
Ridgeway Brewing Santa’s Butt
ABV: 6%
Type: English Porter
Beware when googling this beer, some silly stuff comes up. Porters are darker beers named after English transportation workers back in the day. Santa's Butt is heavy with a strong caramel sweetness, not dissimilar to a flavor pump at Starbucks. It’s so sweet and toasty it’s almost like a dessert in itself. The finish is creamy and lingers in your mouth for a while. This beer would be offset nicely by the combined richness and saltiness of baked Brie.
21st Amendment Fireside Chat
ABV: 7.9%
Type: Winter Ale
Fireside Chat swings to the spicier side of the holiday flavor spectrum. It has the bite of cinnamon (like top of a latte cinnamon, not Red Hot cinnamon) with a backbone of dark bitter chocolate. Its flavor is sharp and is reminiscent of a Mexican style hot cocoa. As per usual 21st Amendment makes a canned beer that doesn’t taste cheap or of aluminum. This is a good end of festivities beer for when you get home from a party, mouth sweetened by cookies or champagne, to mellow out your evening.
Deschutes Brewery Jubelale
ABV: 6.7%
Type: Winter Ale
Jubelale is surprisingly hoppy for a winter ale. It starts off with a toffee-like nose and thick creamy foam. Its toasty sweet flavor reminds me of s’mores. The hoppy finish adds a kick to the otherwise sweet and malty beer. This is another very dessert-type beer that could nicely cap off a holiday dinner without feeling too heavy.
Anchor Steam Christmas Ale
ABV: 5.5 %
Type: Winter Ale
Every year Anchor Steam changes the recipe for their Christmas Beer. Last year's batch was pleasantly warm and spicy, but 2014's brew is lighter. It's aromatic with an almost piney taste and a citrusy back reminiscent of certain IPAs. It's exceedingly refreshing and crisp. This is the perfect beer for pre-partying – the low ABV will make sure you don't get too blotto before leaving the house.
There were too many for me to taste test before deadline so let me know in the comments what you'll be sipping on during the holidays.
Photo courtesy of Antti T. Nissinen