Jeff Flowers on December 17, 2014 1 Comment The holiday season is a time for celebrating the year with good food and good beer. December is a particularly great month for beer enthusiasts because it inspires brewers to take advantage of the great late-season flavors. If you’re looking to get the right beer for your holiday party or simply want a good winter ale for those long nights by the fire, here are 10 of my favorite beers that are guaranteed to give you a bit of holiday spirit. 1. Tröegs Mad Elf Ale Pennsylvania is known for its festive holiday spirit, and local brewers take full advantage. With a ruby red color and cheerful label, Mad Elf Ale has plenty of character and a jolly flavor. Heavy on the chocolate malts with delicious notes of cherries, honey and spices, Mad Elf Ale is perfect to sip on during those cold winter nights. Serve around 53°F in your favorite beer glass. However, it carries a decent amount of alcohol, so stick to one or two when you’re around the in-laws. ABV: 11.0% IBU: 15 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale My personal favorite, Celebration Ale is a winter seasonal that has been around since the early 1980s. And it’s been providing winter-haters with some much-needed comfort ever since. Because it’s a fresh hop American IPA, this is one of the most bitter and intense winter beers you’ll find. But don’t let that scare you away. While it may be high in IBUs, it’s aroma and flavor consists of a piney citrus that is sure to please. ABV: 6.8% IBU: 65 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 3. Victory Winter Cheers Another unconventional winter beer, Victory brews this wheat ale to help lighten your spirits when the weather turns cold. The best way to describe this beer, is a hefeweizen with a spicy winter twist. You’ll notice a strong fruity flavor with subtle hints of citrus, banana, and clove. Compared to other holiday ales, Winter Cheers is considerably light, refreshing and easy to drink. Distribution runs throughout the holiday season, so there’s plenty of time to take advantage. ABV: 6.7% IBU: NA Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 4. Southern Tier 2xMas For those who fancy strong spice and anything fig, this is the holiday ale for you. A double-spiced ale that’s perfect for any Christmas party, 2xMas was originally inspired by a Scandinavian Glogg party and embodies all the reasons why the Nordic country is the best place for the holidays. Best served around 43°F, 2xMas medium-bodied and rich in flavor. In addition to figs, it’s brewed with cardamom, orange peel, clove, ginger root, and cinnamon, giving it the traditional winter spice you’ve come to expect this time of year. ABV: 8.0% IBU: 32 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 5. Highland Cold Mountain Winter Ale This beer is a fantastic choice for casual or extravagant Christmas get-togethers. The name alone even sounds cold enough for the holidays. Better even still, it has a flavor to match. With a malty body that is lightly hopped, Cold Mountain winter ale features an eclectic mix of spices like vanilla, hazelnut, caramel and other seasonal favorites. The perfect balance to keep you warm on a chilly night. Unfortunately, this Cold Mountain Ale is brewed in limited batches and only distributed in select states. If you do have a chance to buy it, get it quick because it will sell out before you know it. ABV: 5.2% IBU: 28 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 6. Samuel Adams Winter Lager For loyal fans of American craft beers, Christmas just isn’t the same without this classic lager. Winter Lager has a rich, bold flavor that gives off just the right amount of your favorite holiday spices. It’s available from November to December and is a good one to have around for just about any winter occasion. ABV: 5.6% IBU: 22 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 7. High Point Ramstein Winter Wheat Christmas brings out High Point Brewing’s strongest beer. Not only is this a great full-body choice for cold nights and end-of-year reflection, but its smooth finish and complex character makes it one of the best Weiss beers out there. It starts with a rich, creamy head followed by malt, apple, and spicy flavors. It tends to leave a smooth caramel finish, and you may just be surprised to learn that this winter beer contains as much alcohol as it does. ABV: 9.5% IBU: 20 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 8. Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Winter Welcome hails from Yorkshire, England, and it’s a good choice for those who favor true English taste. The light amber color smells slightly floral, yet has a rich caramel flavor. This is a good one to pair with those exotic dishes that you only put out during the holiday season –roast goose, lamb, fruit cake, or smoked turkey. ABV: 6.0% IBU: 32 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 9. Anchor Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Even if you don’t end up liking the taste of this beer, the name alone is reason enough to keep it on hand for the holidays. Anchor’s Merry Christmas And Happy New Year even has a new label and brand new recipe for the upcoming season. It tends to be sweet and spicy but generally light. Anchor doesn’t divulge much in terms of ingredients, but most tasters end up satisfied with each new batch. ABV: variable IBU: variable Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page 10. Avery Old Jubilation Ale For a look, taste, and finish that wish you a happy holiday, you can’t go wrong with this English ale. A classic example of the Old Ale style, this seasonal from Avery Brewing should be a holiday tradition in every household. Spice-haters can rejoice, for this one offers only malty flavors with a hint of hazelnut. Old Jubilation pairs well with the majority of holiday meals, including like roast duck, rack of lamb and all styles of chicken. ABV: 8.3% Body: 45 Availability: Winter Seasonal More Info: Official Page The holiday season comes once a year, so make your next one count. Grab of few of these festive brews to spice up all of your winter events. Learn More: Style Profile: Christmas/Winter Ale 10 Gifts for the Beer Snob in Your Life Why Every Beer Geek Should Own a Growler Kegerator Gifting Guide: Tips for Buying the Best Kegerator for Someone Else
