It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas every where you go. Thats right, It’s official, pumpkin beer season is over, and Christmas beer season has begun. Its that time of year when we spend a lot of money, deal with annoying family you don’t see often, and tons of cleaning after the day is over. But hey relax and enjoy the moment and what better way to do it with a beer or two. Here is my top 10 beers to enjoy during the holiday from basic, classic, and speciality.
NO. 10 – Shiner Holiday Cheer (Shiner, TX)
Since we are based out of Texas why not start the list off with Shiner Holiday Cheer. A fresh twist on a traditional Dunkelweizen, combining chocolaty, sweet flavors with hints of peach and pecan. Its thoroughly caramelized malts give it a deep color and complex taste that’s perfect for the holidays.
NO. 9 – Anchor Christmas Ale (San Francisco, CA)
This a classic go to for any beer drinker. This beer showcases notes of orange, honeysuckle, toasted malts, and eucalyptus. Structured with botanicals and pleasantly herbaceous hops, with a touch of spice like Christmas in a bottle. This is why it makes are top 10 list.
NO. 8 – Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve (Newport, OR)
Some say Rogue isn’t craft enough to be part of the scene anymore. A brewery enjoyed by many beer drinkers when they first got into beer, now just a brewery you may get laughed at for drinking in front of beer snobs. Well that doesn’t stop us from showing them love during the season. These guys have always stayed consistent and this beer is not your normal winter warmer. Rogue decided to give us a Stout that is like drinking a Christmas chocolate candy.
NO. 7 – Bell’s Christmas Ale (Kalamazoo, MI)
Bell’s Brewing is known for a lot of their beers like their Two Hearted Ale, Oberon Ale, HopSlam Ale, and a few others. Bell’s Christmas Ale may not be up there with those names but it sure is a stand out classic. This Scotch Ale is a rich, malty, and warm. The perfect beer to enjoy in front of the fireplace while the family opens gifts.
No. 6 – Prairie Christmas Bomb (Oklahoma City, OK)
What happens when you take a big ass stout that has cocoa nibs, chilies, coffee, vanilla, and add some Christmas spice to it? You get Prairie’s Christmas Bomb. This beer is the perfect beer to share and sip on during the holiday season. Rich, balanced, and complex.
NO. 5 – Troegs The Mad Elf (Hershey, PA)
At the mid way point number five goes to The Mad Elf. When I got into beer 12 or more years ago Treogs was known for beers like Nugget Nectar and this beloved once a year release The Mad Elf. This beer is known to hold a special place in beer drinkers hearts and here’s why. With its nuanced blend of sweet and tart cherries, Pennsylvania honey, chocolate malt and a hint of mischief. 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.
No. 4 – Hardywood Kentucky Christmas Morning (Richmond, VA)
Hardywood Kentucky Christmas Morning is liquid proof that good things come to those who wait. they take their Gingerbread Stout and put into barrels. It takes an initial transformation through months of aging in Kentucky bourbon barrels, reaching new levels of maturity with layers of vanilla, coconut, and toasted oak. Before bottling, the barrel aged stout is cold filtered through heaps of freshly cracked locally roasted coffee beans from Blanchard’s Coffee Co, showcasing the nostalgic joys of Christmas Morning. Treat yourself, it’s been a long year.
No. 3 – Firestone Walker 26th Anniversary (Paso Robles, CA)
I remember when I first cracked open F.W. Anniversary beer. The first time was Firestone Walkers 14th Anniversary. Man it has been 12 years of enjoy these anniversary beers. Why are these beers so special? Well they blend a couple different beers from their barrel age program and bring in wine makers to help ick and blend them each year. If you enjoy big, dark, rich, sweet boozy, and complexity than this beer is for you.
NO. 2 – Samuel Adams Utopias 2021 (Boston, MA)
Here is something special. Sam Adams is commercial now and I get it. But Their Utopias is and always will be something every beer drinker wants to try at least once in their life time. I was fortunate enough to have had a few ounces from a friend. This $240 bottle comes in at 28% abv and the reason I only had a few ounces hahahaha. Made every other year the next release will be 2023. Here are some words from Sam Adams website: We make Utopias to challenge the perception of what beer can be. This boundary bending, barrel-aged beer blurs the line between beer and fine spirit. Each Utopias is different. What to expect from 2021; sits on balaton cherries and partial aged in Sauternes wine barrels. The perfect sharing beer or holiday gift.
NO. 1 – Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale (Chico, CA)
I know what you’re thinking and yes I choose this as my number one beer to drink during the holidays. Why? Because it’s a classic, it’s something I look forward to every year, and it’s not your typical add spices to it to make it feel like winter is here. This fresh hop IPA is clean, warm, and packs a lovely hop profile. It’s the perfect IPA during winter and the perfect beer to enjoy while with your family.
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