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It can be difficult keeping up with all the great winter beers at this time of year. But here are some terrific offerings that pair well with almost every festivity.
Christmas Bells Are Ringing (Kalamazoo, MI) – A welcome holiday departure from all those cloyingly sweet winter warmers that dominate at this time of year, Bell’s Brewery’s festive seasonal opts for drinkability over octane. Bell’s Christmas Ale is a 5.5% ABV Scottish Ale (they celebrate Christmas over there too!), that lets the Michigan-grown barley do all the talking and THANKFULLY forgoes the obvious seasonal spices.
A Lager That Winters Well (Boston, MA) – Every winter Samuel Adams releases its annual Winter Variety Pack, a collection of cold weather classics and staples. And this year’s 12-Pack includes a seasonal lager that’s as delicious as it is distinctive. Unapologetically rich and malt-forward, Samuel Adams Winter Lager is a festive 5.6% ABV take on the European Bock spiced with fresh ground cinnamon, ginger and orange peel.
Cause For Jubilation (Bend, OR) – Deschutes Brewery has been brewing its classic holiday ale for 32 years and it remains one of the season’s best. Deschutes Jubelale is a 6.7% ABV Winter Warmer with big spice notes and a robust malt character of toffee and dusted cocoa. And since 1995, each vintage of Jubelale has been designed by a different Pacific Northwest artist.
Even More Cause For Jubilation (Boulder, Co) – From its bright mahogany tone to its velvet-smooth mouthfeel, Avery Brewing’s holiday seasonal is a classic. A bold nod to proud British brewing traditions, Avery Old Jubilation is an 8.3% ABV English-Style Old Ale with a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee.
Cheers For Christmas Beer (Downingtown, PA) – Just as with Boston Beer’s holiday lager, Hefeweizens don’t immediately come to mind when you’re thinking Christmas beers. But that’s what makes Victory Brewing’s holiday offering so refreshingly perfect. Victory Winter Cheers Hazy Winter Ale is an incredibly smooth 6.7% ABV Unfiltered Wheat Ale with a subtle holiday-spiced profile that never overpowers.
