Best Holiday Beers

[dowab]

I'm the webmaster for America's Best and a former brewer.
Here's my list:

http://www.americasbestonline.net/beerxmas.html

Its still in the works, I would like your input to what are the best holiday beers for this holiday season.

Cheers,
Dow Scoggins

[newportstorm]

Good article on some local New England winter beers:

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/food/index.htm

Cheers!

[Beefsteak]

Just bought some Anderson's Winter Solstice. It got rave reviews from the guys at Craft Beer Radio, looking forward to trying it.

[HarkJohnny]

grabbed a sixer of Trader Joe's Winterfest last night (last one on the shelf) and hoping it's good.

the rest of the stuff i got there was either nasty (frugal joe's ordinary beer... that's the dammed truth!) or barely passable (Sea Dog IPA and Stockyard Oatmeal Stout)

I promptly poured the Frugal Joes after two sips and i'm giving the "5pack" away as a white elephant gift today at work. someone here will drink it.

[xtalman]

Originally posted by HarkJohnny
grabbed a sixer of Trader Joe's Winterfest last night (last one on the shelf) and hoping it's good.

the rest of the stuff i got there was either nasty (frugal joe's ordinary beer... that's the dammed truth!) or barely passable (Sea Dog IPA and Stockyard Oatmeal Stout)


TJ's Winterfest is ok, as has been stated here before ti takstes like Gordon Biersch winter brew.

Never heard of the frugal joe's label and you are very right about the others. The Sea Dog could barely pass an a pale ale.

[fretlessman71]

Just had a Left Hand XXXmas Ale a few days ago - the spices are just right, present and appropriate, and they blend with the other flavors very well. This bottle was a year old, too! Good stuff coming out of Longmont, CO!

[Ales-Stouts]

Troegs Mad Elf - very surprised that I enjoyed this one as I usually don't like fruit in my brews but this is the exception and I
need to get more before it's gone.

SN Celebration - jury is still out but leaning toward the plus side.

Anchor OSA - I like it but not my favorite.

Blue Ridge Snowball's Chance - would actually take this over the
previous 2!

Wild Goose Snow Goose - another good year for this.

Dominion Winter Brew - did not impress me the first try, maybe
the second try will be better.

Delerium Noel - first bomber excellent!! Bought a second one, at
a different store, but it was undrinkable and returned it.

Abita Christmas Ale - would rate it below the Dominion WB.

Up next and not necessarily holiday brews:

Gouden Carolus Noel
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Allagash Grand Cru
Great Divide Yeti Oak Aged Stout
3F's Black Sun Imperial Stout
Allagash Curieux( 2nd year for this, recommend it based on last
year's)

[threecb]

I've been drinking a lot of Celebration.
I also liked the Lancaster Winter Warmer for it's slightly sweet, chewy maltiness. Didn't like the Long Trail Hibernation, but I think I need to try another one of these with a clean palate.
Triumph Winter Wonder on tap from the New Hope location was nice enough for me to grab a growler. Spicy, malty, a classic spiced holiday beer.
The Winter Stout from St. George in VA was nice on tap at the source. I have a couple of bottles that I haven't delved into, though.
Magic Hat St. Gootz, which I guess is their winter seasonal, was better on tap, but the bottles are decent, although a bit thin.
Smuttynose Winter Ale is the only Belgian-inspired one on my list. Amber, lightly hoppy-spicy. A nice beer.

[Beer Monkey]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Just had a Left Hand XXXmas Ale a few days ago - the spices are just right, present and appropriate, and they blend with the other flavors very well. This bottle was a year old, too! Good stuff coming out of Longmont, CO!

I had this today at the brewery, they had a cask of it, was great, not sure if it was current or last years vinatage, but was bummed I couldn't get a 6 pack to take back to VA with me.

[BluesHarp]

Three Floyds - Alpha Klaus
Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve
Great Divide - Hibernation Ale
Avery - Old Jubilation

...too many others to list, but these weren't in other posts (I don't think)...:p

[chazwicke]

Had the Old Dominion Winter brew on tap at the pub today. I enjoyed it much. It is hoppy! I followed it with a pint of the aways yummy Oak Barrel Stout. Took growlers of both home for tomorrows festivities at the inlaws.

[zoom6zoom]

I think this year's OD Winter is a bit hoppier than lasts...

[corysdad]

Goose Island Christmas Ale has been showing up around my house alot this winter. I like it better than last year, much hoppier.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
I think this year's OD Winter is a bit hoppier than lasts...

I think so too. I finished off a growler today and enjoyed it much. Then we moved to the growler of Oak Barrel Stout. Life is good.

[hops99]

Hello? Anyone out there? Great Lakes Christmas Ale ?

:eek:

[fretlessman71]

Did you say Great Lakes Christmas Ale? I had almost forgot! Good stuff. :)

[BluesHarp]

Oh, yeah! Excellent brew...a definite winner this year; very nice toasty maltiness.

[wortchillergoal]

Saranac puts out a Holiday sampler every year at this time. Most are standard fare offerings with a few special beers. This year they had their Hoilday Wassail, an Oatmeal Stout, a Belgian Ale, and a Carmel Porter which was the best of the bunch.

[Goban]

AleSmith's YuleSmith is pretty good this year. I had some a few weeks ago. Mmmm tasty.

[Lamprey]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Good article on some local New England winter beers:

http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/food/index.htm

Cheers!

The Smutty Winter Brew (referenced in the article Newport Storm...referenced) is a nice change from the typically spiced winter beers. I expected the usual but was very surprised to taste the flavors given off by the trappist ale yeast. A very drinkable beer.

I also recommend the Harpoon Imperial Stout referenced in the same article.

[Lamprey]

Originally posted by Ales-Stouts


Up next and not necessarily holiday brews:

Gouden Carolus Noel
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Allagash Grand Cru
Great Divide Yeti Oak Aged Stout
3F's Black Sun Imperial Stout
Allagash Curieux( 2nd year for this, recommend it based on last
year's)

I recently visited Allagash and have had both their Grand Cru and Curieux. The Curieux is fantastic...a tripple kicked up a bit and aged in oak barrells.

[dowab]

Samichlaus is my current favorite, Thank goodness they are still making it.

Here a top ten of holiday beers,
Top Ten Holiday Beers (http://www.americasbestonline.net/beerxmas.html)

[The Alchemist]

I just finished a quarter of Penn Brewery St. Nikolaus Bock. It is outstanding on draft. In November, I had a sixtel of Great Lakes Christmas Ale. It is probably the one I look most forward to. The holidays are always planned around these two for the home draft system.

[jjpm74]

Gouden Carolus Noel. One of my all time favorites.