Christmas & Winter Beers....

[tighe]

Every year I look forward to the release of the winter and Christmas seasonal beers by many of the micro (or not so micro) breweries. I particularly enjoy the very rich, somewhat sweet flavor that many of these beers have. I've done more comparison tasting this year to determine which is really my favorite, and with some equivication, I think we have a winner: Pyramid Snow Cap. For a number of years, I would have chosen the Deschute Jubelale, but I think it has slipped a little. I know its difficult, if not impossible, to get either of these outside the Northwest, but I'd be interested to hear about other local favorites of this style of beer.

[rstarobi]

My favorite seasonal beer that's easily accessible in my region (New York) is the Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate Stout - they produce it towards the end of October, and sell it through January, I believe. One of the richest, most flavorful stouts I've ever had (much more interesting and less cloying than Young's Double Chocolate). This one is made without actually using any chocolate, I believe, just chocolate malts.

[Clay]

I lood forward to Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale every year, that's good stuff! Also their Bigfoot is a pretty good winter "beer" too!

[pete ganz]

I just happened across Celebration Ale yesterday, which I don't remember seeing in this area (NJ) before. It's a big, flavorful, hoppy ale. I'll definitely get more if I see it. I'd like to try their Bigfoot, but I doubt I'll be seeing that one in NJ.

[Blue Heron]

I think we have a winner: Pyramid Snow Cap.  For a number of years, I would have chosen the Deschute Jubelale, but I think it has slipped a little.

My 2 favorites are Pyramid Snow Cap Ale and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. I prefer both of these over the Deshutes Jubelale. I definitely don't care for the holiday beers that taste too spicy and gingerbready.

[Clay]

If you want I can ask my distributor where to get it in your area. Let me know where you are at and I'll ask.

[Deacon]

Noche Buena, by Dos Equis, is *reputed* to be excellent. But it's almost impossible to find, and I've always ended up with skunky bottles.

[Clay]

"Noche Buena" Huh! Don't know if I want to drink a beer named "Good Night". I'll have to look around and give it a try. Where did you find it?

[malarkey]

so far this year I've had the Jubel Ale, Celebration Ale, Snow Cap, and I have a Bridgeport Ebenezer waiting for me in the fridge. I liked all these, but Celebration is always a sentimental favorite, because I like overhopped beers ;-) Snow Cap has gone from good to bad and now back to good. Did you have any of the Jubel 2000? that stuff sticks in my mind. I liked this years Jubel Ale, it was one of the first I tried this season and it tasted so fresh.

I remember my first winter ale, some ~15 years ago.. it was Bert Grant's Spiced Ale, it had the spicey-sweet thing going. I liked it ;-)

[Deacon]

"Noche Buena" . . . Where did you find it?

Santa Fe, NM and (I believe) Lake Tahoe.

Now that I think of it, Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale is pretty good. Everything by Sam Smith's is worth sampling.

[Belmont3]

Another good one, but hard to find is: Winter Soltice Seasonal Ale, this is brewed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company out of Boonville CA. Also in the Fridge is Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale

[ranitidine]

I picked up a six-pack of Anchor Steam's Xmas- New Year beer today. I haven't tasted it yet but will report on it when I do.

[Clay]

The Anderson Valley Rep just came through the other day with a gift pack of one of all their beers. I would have to say " Good Beer, Good People." All their beers are very good!

[tighe]

...Snow Cap has gone from good to bad and now back to good. Did you have any of the Jubel 2000? that stuff sticks in my mind...

I'm so glad its not just me that thinks these beers change noticeably from year to year. Yeah, the Jubelale a couple years ago was an all-timer in my book. I wonder if the change was intentional or not, don't really know enough about beer making to speculate. Maybe they need to start printing vintages on the bottles.

[ranitidine]

...Snow Cap has gone from good to bad and now back to good. Did you have any of the Jubel 2000? that stuff sticks in my mind...

I'm so glad its not just me that thinks these beers change noticeably from year to year. Yeah, the Jubelale a couple years ago was an all-timer in my book. I wonder if the change was intentional or not, don't really know enough about beer making to speculate. Maybe they need to start printing vintages on the bottles.

Anchor Steam, Brooklyn and Sierra Nevada all have vintages on their year-end bottlings. I just had my first bottle of this year's Anchor Steam. Very dark and very spicy. I overall liked it but I am afraid that with certain foods it might taste like root beer.

[rstarobi]

Anchor Steam, Brooklyn and Sierra Nevada all have vintages on their year-end bottlings. I just had my first bottle of this year's Anchor Steam. Very dark and very spicy. I overall liked it but I am afraid that with certain foods it might taste like root beer.

Is Anchor's winter beer a steam beer, or made in another manner of preparation?

[ranitidine]

Good question, rstarobi. I just looked at the bottle. Its actually an ale and says nothing about it being a steam brew.

[maomonk]

Y'all mentioned a bunch of my favorites here:

a. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - for those who love big American style hops. Grapefruity.

b. Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout - my favorite stout. like someone mentioned earlier, not too sweet.

c. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot- my achilles heel. monstrous hops, huge maltiness and just enough carbonation to separate it from the rest of the barleywines offered in the USA. I buy a case and save 'em for the spring & summer when I treat them like Valiums.

Not mentioned yet but worth noting: Sam Adams Doppel Bock - in my opinion the best beer they make. Goes perfectly with Unique Splits Extra Salt Pretzels. Also, Victory's Old Horizontal Barleywine is always a good one.

Happy Holidays...

[ranitidine]

Evidently "steam" doesn't refer to the way the beer is brewed. Take a look at

Anchor Brewing homepage

[Dances With Possums]

Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Ale, a barleywine, will be available on draught in my local pub in about two weeks. The bartenders there call it "Old Lights and Sirens," because it is 9.6% alcohol. They will only serve you two of them.

DWP

[rstarobi]

Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Ale, a barleywine, will be available on draught in my local pub in about two weeks. The bartenders there call it "Old Lights and Sirens," because it is 9.6% alcohol. They will only serve you two of them.

Haven't tried the Sierra Nevada Barleywine, but the Anchor Old Foghorn is absolutely amazing.

[malarkey]

c. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot- my achilles heel. monstrous hops, huge maltiness and just enough carbonation to separate it from the rest of the barleywines offered in the USA. I buy a case and save 'em for the spring & summer when I treat them like Valiums.

lol! they are like valiums, now that I think about it. might have to get some this year...

[Wilfrid]

Anyone know how strong the Sierra Nevada Celebration is? I was drinking it quite happily on Saturday night, only to suddenly discover that I was completely hammered.

[Belmont3]

It is 6.8 %. Yea it doesn't take many to get you there

[Wilfrid]

Yup, that would explain it. I only had six pints.