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(Courtesy Danny Green)
The Winter Holiday celebrations have already begun and with them comes the beers of the season. And you’ll be needing just the right holiday offerings for all those parties that you’ll be hitting…
So we’ve gathered a number of seasonal classics guaranteed to keep your outings “naughty and nice.”
Anchor Christmas Ale| Anchor Brewing (San Francisco, CA)
The “Mother of all Christmas Beers” and the beer most responsible for the popular holiday ale trend, Anchor Christmas Ale epitomizes the word, “classic.” Also referred to as ‘Our Special Ale’, this annual holiday offering is brewed with a mixture of spices of spices that changes from year to year – as does the beer’s beautifully crafted label artwork.
(Courtesy Tröegs Independent Brewing)
Tröegs Mad Elf Ale | Tröegs Independent Craft Brewery. (Hershey, PA)
Renowned throughout the mid-Atlantic as much for its unique flavor, as for its enormous 11% ABV kick, Tröegs Mad Elf Ale is a brilliant Belgian-style holiday seasonal.
The essence of this legendary holiday ale, along with its ruby red glow, is born from five varieties of tree-ripened cherries. Local wildflower honey sweetens the celebration, and a spicy Belgian yeast adds subtle notes of cinnamon, clove and allspice.
Ninkasi Sleigh’r | Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene, OR)
Those of you who read us regularly (and we can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) know that we’re totally in the tank for Ninkasi Brewing – and fans of their annual winter seasonal as well.
Taking a stylistic path less travelled, Ninkasi’s Sleigh’r is a dark and dusky 7.2% ABV Doüble Alt Ale, malty, rich and perfect to keep the winter’s winds at bay.
(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)
Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA | Sierra Nevada Brewing (Chico, CA / Mills River, NC)
Craft beer icons like New Belgium founder Kim Jordon, claim that this late fall/early-winter release is her go-to holiday beer – and we couldn’t agree with her more.
First brewed in 1981, Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA is one of a very few, hop-forward holiday beers – and because it’s a fresh-hop – it’s subtly different every year!
Great Lakes Christmas Ale | Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland, OH)
Sometimes unfairly overlooked by a craft beer audience increasing enraptured by the shiny and the new, Great Lakes brews a spectacular holiday beer.
Beloved throughout the Great Lakes region Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a 7.5% award-winning Winter Warmer that’s brewed with a Yuletide’s worth of fresh honey, tangy cinnamon, and complex ginger flavors.
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Want more holiday beer suggestions?
HOLIDAY SEASONALS AND WINTER PORTERS
