Holiday Brews

ContinentalDrifterIII · **JoNeS BeAcH 8/21/14**

Usually each year around this time I stroll down to my local Ale Merchant and pick up a Sam Adams Holiday 12 pack. But yesterday I was in Ken's Broome Street bar in Manhattan and I had a couple pints of Harpoon Winter Warmer. It was very good. Do you know any other good holiday brews?
Here is the description from the Harpoon Brewery Website:

Winter Warmer was Harpoon’s first seasonal beer. It was designed to be enjoyed during the holiday season.

When you bring a glass of this dark copper ale to your lips to take your first sip you will notice the aroma of cinnamon. There is no aromatic hop added that might overpower the distinct spice scent. The medium body of this beer is formed from caramel and pale malts. These create enough body to support the spices without making the beer excessively rich. Bittering hops are added to counter the sweetness of the malt and spice. The finish of the beer is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. The combination of these two spices results in a balanced, pumpkin-pie flavor.

The overall character is a smooth, medium bodied ale spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

brahmafear · Post by **brahmafear** » December 3, 2007 9:01 pm

I can't exactly say what Natty Greene's had for seasonal brews but I can say I test drove at least 4 of their brews. They were very tasty. They just started to bottle a few of their brews and it's available in the Greensboro area. It's good stuff I hope the get it to your area soon.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » December 3, 2007 9:11 pm

Hands down the best I have tasted.
Sierra Nevada Celebration..
my Very favorite beer..

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » December 3, 2007 9:14 pm

The Landshark Christmas beer... 2 ornamental globes, 1 listing fin.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » December 3, 2007 9:18 pm

maybe not terribly original or unique, but I like Sam Adams Winter Lager.

the Harpoon Winter Warmer sounds good, too.

across the board I prefer draft to bottled or canned

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » December 3, 2007 9:20 pm

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:maybe not terribly original or unique, but I like Sam Adams Winter Lager.

the Harpoon Winter Warmer sounds good, too.

across the board I prefer draft to bottled or canned

the drawback to draft is that it is hard to get it out without spillage.

bravedave · Post by **bravedave** » December 3, 2007 10:13 pm

Down hyah the Wild Goose Brewery makes a nice winter brew called Snowballs Chance. I likee!

Elrod · Post by **Elrod** » December 3, 2007 11:19 pm

I like 2 Below from New Belgium Brewing (maker of Fat Tire).

docandjeanie · Post by **docandjeanie** » December 3, 2007 11:20 pm

ragtopW wrote:Hands down the best I have tasted.
Sierra Nevada Celebration..
my Very favorite beer..

Doc and his friends were drinking that Saturday night

spartan1979 · Post by **spartan1979** » December 3, 2007 11:36 pm

Last year I had Great Lakes Christmas Ale and thought it was very good.

I've been drinking Breckenridge's Christmas Ale this week. It's okay. I also like 2 Below from New Belgium.

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » December 4, 2007 2:54 am

ragtopW wrote:Hands down the best I have tasted.
Sierra Nevada Celebration..
my Very favorite beer..

My second favorite winter beer ever. Harpoon's is also very good, and not as nutmeg-y as it has been in the past. But the best I have ever had, and quite possibly the best beer period, IMHO, is Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome. They have unfortunately gone a little heavier on the spice than they used to, but it's a great beer, if you can find it.

Another....um....."interesting" winter beer that will be coming out in ten days is "Samie Claus." and you'll want to check my spelling on it. It's a Swiss beer I think (been years since I've had it) that they release once a year, Dec 14th if I remember right, and is one of the highest alcoholic content beers out there. If you've had Sam Adams triple boc, you'll know what I'm talking about in regards to body.

Found it!! http://www.realbeer.com/edu/tastes/samichlaus2000.php My date was a little off, but here it is.

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » December 4, 2007 2:59 am

more info about samichlaus...

http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000100.html

Unfortunately, the dates on these are old, so it might have been discontinued again.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » December 4, 2007 6:35 am

Sam Adams' "Old Fezziwig" is an interesting Christmas offering.

CaptainP · Post by **CaptainP** » December 4, 2007 7:09 am

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » December 4, 2007 7:12 am

I'm not big into beer in general, but I LOVE Sam Adams Oktoberfest.

gassman · Post by **gassman** » December 4, 2007 12:09 pm

RinglingRingling wrote:Sam Adams' "Old Fezziwig" is an interesting Christmas offering.

One of my favorites around this time of year. Oh man to be a beer drinker in the second half of the year is a real treat. I like mine malty and heavy, not to keen on the spring/summer offerings as I don't care much for a wheat brew, and that is what the majority of them are.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » December 4, 2007 12:20 pm

CaptainP wrote:

Have had the Elves... they are goooooood...

lilsalty · Post by **lilsalty** » December 4, 2007 12:41 pm

I've been enjoying Southampton Public House Pumpkin Beer with cinnamon and sugar on the rim. MMMMM. Cheers!

TropicalTroubador · Post by **TropicalTroubador** » December 4, 2007 1:34 pm

CaptainP wrote:

These folks have a Reindeer's Revolt holiday ale this year. I haven't tried it yet, but I picked up a bottle, because it shows a reindeer wearing shades and a Hawaiian shirt. I don't have a picture to share.

Apparently these folks had a problem last year in Maine. The state alcoholic beverage folks wanted to ban Santa's Butt because the label was "obscene." After some public outcry, I believe they changed their minds.

I've found that I like most holiday ales, and go out of my way to try them when I wander into our local microbreweries or brewpubs. But it's hard to beat something like Sierra Nevada Celebration.

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » December 4, 2007 1:46 pm

winter warmer is good . . .

But for Winter type/ Holiday beers I just go with Guiness. Seems to fit the spirit.