The weather outside is turning frightful so stay in with a beer in hand and enjoy that fire that’s so delightful. We’ve put together a list of winter seasonal craft beers to help get you through the cold months. So, kick up your feet, turn on some Christmas tunes and enjoy these brews.
For the 12 days of Christmas my true love gave to me…
1. Christmas Ale – Anchor Brewing
Brewery Location: San Francisco, CA
The details of this beer are hidden behind a veil of secrecy. Anchor keeps the type of malt and hops behind lock and key. Many locks and many keys. The recipe for the Christmas ale changes every year so get this year’s batch now through January. Each year’s label also has a different tree. This year’s evergreen is the California Christmas Tree, or the Deodar Cedar.
http://www.anchorbrewing.com/assets/beers/christmas_ale_beer_bio_image.png
3. Winter Lager – Sprecher Brewing Company
Brewery Location: Milwaukee, WI
Style: Munich-style Dunkel Bock
ABV: 5.75%
This award winning beer dons a new name and look this season with the same dark and sweet notes from its first brew in 1986.
https://www.sprecherbrewery.com/images/beer/thumb/bottle_glass/wb_bottle_n_glass_cold.jpg
5. Winter Mingle – Magic Hat Brewing Company
Brewery Location: South Burlington, VT
Style: Stout
ABV: 5.8%
Let your taste buds enjoy the rich malts with a sweet gift of Tahitian Vanilla. Also enjoy this poem from Magic Hat,
“Cold weather parties call for beer
Winter Mingle is finally here.
A touch of vanilla oh so sweet
And notes of chocolate and coffee.
Ho, ho, ho! Vanilla Stout.
Oh, oh, oh! Wicked good throughout.
Cold weather parties, sip, sip, sip
Winter Mingle on drinkers’ lips.”
http://www.magichat.net/images/slides/wintermingle-slide.jpg
7. Xocoveza – Stone Brewing Co.
Brewery Location: Escondido, CA
Style: Milk Stout
ABV: 8.1%
Inspired by Mexican hot chocolate, this spiced mocha stout is bold and dark. It’s pasilla peppers paired with chocolate and holiday spices give warmth and a happy palate. Perfect for relaxing after a day in the snow.
http://www.stonebrewing.com/sites/default/files/beer/banner/xocoveza_background4.jpg
9. Holiday Spice Lager – Lakefront Brewery
Brewery Location: Milwaukee, WI
Style: Herb and Spice Beer
ABV: 9.4%
This holiday brew is plenty bold, and plenty spicy. Expect a full body from this award-winning winter seasonal as well as a full body warmth. Alcohol and spice partner up to heat you up in the brisk winter.
http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com/files/images/bottles/holiday-spice-22-oz.png?width=287
11. Jubelale – Deschutes Brewery
Brewery Location: Bend, OR
Style: Winter Ale
ABV: 6.7%
Time for a jubilee as we near the end of the list! Jubelale, labeled a festive winter ale, is layered with hearty and intricate flavors. Roasty malts are paired with dried fruit, toffee, and chicory. Bitterness arrives late to finish the meal of flavors and spice in this ale. Curl up and enjoy this brew with the new 2015 artwork.
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/36644_Deschutes_Jubelale12_Comp_R2_SMP.png
2. Cold Front – Ithaca Beer Co.
Brewery Location: Ithaca, NY
Style: Belgian-style Amber Ale
ABV: 7.2%
Brewed with Belgian Farmhouse yeast, this seasonal goes well with the rich dishes of the season.
http://ithacabeercom.powweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/CF-bottleglass.jpg
4. Accumulation – New Belgium Brewing
Brewery Location: Fort Collins, CO
Style: White IPA
ABV: 6.2%
Winter seasonal craft beers don’t all have to be dark beers. New Belgium treads a path less traveled with this 70 IBU tribute to winter snow. Expect a bitter beer with this one. Heaps of hops are loaded in for a strong flavor and herbal aroma.
https://www.newbelgium.com/images/beerfeature/accumulation_l.png
6. Abominable Winter Ale – Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB)
Brewery Location: Porland, OR
Style: American Strong Ale
ABV: 7.3%
Just like the mythical beast this brew is strong and mysterious. Complex flavors and aromatics roll nicely into the mouth balanced with malty sweetness.
http://hopworksbeer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/abominable-winter-ale.jpg
8. 8 Maids a Milking – The Bruery
Brewery Location: Orange County, CA
Style: Imperial Milk Stout
ABV: 11.3%
As part of their “12 Days of Christmas” series, The Bruery releases a different beer each year around the holidays. This years batch is a bold & creamy milk stout and acts as a grown-up substitute for milk when reaching for some Christmas goodies. Just don’t set it out next to the cookies on Christmas Eve. Drinking and sleighing is not a good combination for ol’ Kris Kringle.
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10. Celebration – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Brewery Location: Chico, CA
Style: American-Style IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Paving the way for bitter, hoppy winter seasonal craft beers, Celebration embodies the bold American style of craft brewing. Citrus and pine meet the nose with a stark intensity. To ensure that intensity Sierra Nevada uses the freshest dry hops they can. Great ingredients, great passion, great beer.
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12. Hibernation Ale – Great Divide Brewery
Brewery Location: Denver, CO
Style: English Style Old Ale
ABV: 8.7%
After all these days of Christmas and days of beer you might want to hibernate for a while. We finish off the list with a robust strong ale. Finish your 12 course meal with a well rounded beer with rich malt and healthy amounts of hop. Remember drink responsibly and practice safe signage.
http://blogg.kritiker.se/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Hibernation-Ale-Featured.jpg
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