Magazines » November/December 2009 » 15 Holiday Beers
Lazy Magnolia Gulf Porter
This English-style ale starts strong with a blast of hop flavor; strong caramel and toffee flavors smooth the drink out. Available only in half-gallon growlers around Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, it’s meant to be shared.
Matt McKiernan, Lazy Magnolia Brewing: “Gulf Porter pairs particularly well with blackened redfish or pot roast after a long day’s dove hunt or cool-weather fishing trip in backwater bays and bayous.”
Duck-Rabbit Barleywine
Loads of Amarillo hops lend piney, citrusy bitterness to this hoppy, “Farmville-style” barleywine. Robust caramel and toffee flavors offset the hops for a bittersweet taste.
Paul Philippon, Duck-Rabbit Brewery: “Though we do add lots of distinctly American hops, this isn’t as aggresively bitter as an American-style barleywine. The citrus character of the American hops is, however, out of place in an English-style barleywine. Since it doesn’t quite fit in either of those traditions, we just consider it a Farmville-style barleywine!”
Alesmith Winter Yulesmith
With an 8.5% ABV, this imperial red ale is maltier and more balanced than its summertime sister seasonal, a hop-wrought double IPA of the same name. Though boldly malty, a wash of hops balances the drink.
Jessica Oliver, Alesmith Brewing: “It’s not spiced like many traditional holiday beers, but it’s packed full of piney hop aroma and flavor.”
New Belgium Frambozen
Frambozen, a fruit brown ale, gets its deep crimson color from fresh, handpicked raspberries. A New Belgium employee personally oversees the fruit’s journey from berry to juice before it’s hauled to Colorado and added to the beer during fermentation.
Bryan Simpson, New Belgium Brewing: “Frambozen works very well with turkey. Drink it after tobogganing.”
Samuel Smith Winter Welcome
The first winter import ever sold in America, Winter Welcome owes its fruity nuances and rich complexity to Samuel Smith’s proprietary yeast and open-top fermenting vats made of slate. This year marks the strong ale’s 20th vintage.
Craig Hartinger, Merchant du Vin (Samuel Smith’s importer): “It’s 6.0% ABV with great finesse and complexity; an enticing floral hop aroma; and a rich caramel flavor.”
Deschutes Jubelale
Chocolate, cinnamon, molasses, and dark fruit notes explode in this strong ale’s caramel malt backbone while seven hop varieties lend a piney, citrus nose. The bottle is as distinctive as the beer inside: Each year, the brewery selects a different local artist to paint a scene that depicts a festive or winter feel for the label.
Tracy Leagield, label artist: “One of my favorite things about Central Oregon winters is how often we wake up to blue skies after a winter storm. I tried to convey the feeling of a crisp, snowy morning being warmed by the sun’s rays.”
River City The Grinch
Still think the Grinch only ruins the holidays? Try this aromatic, flavorful barleywine: It begins with smooth, semisweet caramel malt and a hint of roast and ends with an orchestra of malt, hops, and alcohol.
Dan Norton, River City Brewing Company: “I saved two barrels of the batch I brewed 5 years ago, so this year, we’re tapping the aged barleywine on Dec. 23.”
High Noon Stumblin' Reindeer
A fusion of cranberries, oranges, lemons, honey, and brown sugar, Stumblin’ Reindeer puts a holiday spin on a traditional amber.
R.D. Johnson, High Noon Saloon & Brewery: “It’s a fun beer for late-night drinking with friends watching a band play or enjoying a baseball game, and it pairs well with peanuts and pretzels.”
Cave Mountain Spiced Winter Ale
What began as a 5-gallon homebrewing recipe is now this Windham, New York-based brewery’s winter seasonal -- a warming, spicy Scotch ale with British malt fullness ideal for sipping alongside whiskey.
Tim Adams, Cave Mountain: “The spice bill is allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and clove, and reminds you of a pumpkin pie baking in the oven. I actually bottled this beer in Grolsch-style bottles and gave it to guests at my wedding two years ago.”
Redstone Meadery Winter Solstice Mead
Alfalfa and wildflower honey converge with vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in this special-category mead -- and special is the only way to describe it, as it’s only produced on December 21 and sold until it’s gone.
David Myer, Redstone Meadery: “You can heat this mead up to about 110 degrees for a delightful winter warmer. Add a cinnamon stick and kick your feet up in front of the fire. Makes for a great afternoon and a pretty darn good morning!”
Kern River Rye Pale Ale
Rye pale ales are everywhere, but Kern River’s the only outfit brewing one for the holidays. This version’s full-bodied and spicy with a 7.5% ABV and 17 percent rye malt.
Eric Giddens, Kern River Brewing Company: “I personally enjoy having our holiday ale after a backcountry tele-ski adventure. Climbing for those turns really makes you thirsty, and an energy bar just doesn’t quite satisfy you after you’ve been skiing the trees all day.”
Flat Earth Winter Warlock
Typically, barleywines are hop bombs, but this golden version features Fuggles hops that only subtly bitter the brew, and Golden Promise Malt and sugar that smooth it out with sweetness. It’s available only in the Twin Cities beginning in early December.
Jeff Williamson, Flat Earth Brewing Co.: “This beer pairs nicely with calamari, ham, and quail. It’s perfect for when all the toys are assembled and the presents are wrapped or ringing in the New Year with that special someone.”
Fearless Wee Heavy
Each year Fearless alters Wee Heavy’s alcohol content; the 2009 batch packs a 9% ABV. Caramel undertones and a deep, malty character give this strong Scotch ale its depth.
Ken Johnson, Fearless Brewing Company: “Strong Scotch ales pair well with venison, duck, and dark chocolate, but I prefer this beer with a fine cigar.”
Ska Euphoria Pale Ale
A dose of chocolate and toast with a fistful of caramel sweetness put a warm spin on a usually bright style, but grapefruity hops prove the beer’s pale ale status. Dry hopping gives the ale its epic fruity aroma and flavor.
Arlo Grammatica, Ska Brewing Company: “While the Simcoe hops are the star of this beer, they are not overwhelming, and a perfect level of bitterness underscores the sweet malts and fruity hops. It all comes together as a warming yet refreshing pale ale we look forward to all year.”
Widmer Brrr!
It’s the only vowel-less winter seasonal produced, but what it lacks in letters, this imperial red makes up for in flavor: A roasty note from pale, caramel, and dark chocolate malts offsets a clean simcoe and cascade hop bitterness, while a 7%-plus ABV provides a smooth alcohol note.
Rob Widmer, Widmer Brothers Brewery: “The six-pack carrier has built in gift tag for easy gifting during the busy holiday season.”
with reporting by Caitlin Torres
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This article originally appeared in the November/December 2009 of DRAFT Magazine
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