This is the 2013 advent calendar of beers. It was the first year I decided on this theme. Enjoy reading my reviews, I certainly enjoyed creating them.
Dec. 1st
Christmas Town Ale -
From the Frankenmuth Brewery - Frankenmuth, Michigan
This beer fits perfectly into it's own glass! The beer has a nice reddish brown color and pleasant aroma. With subtle hints of nutmeg and ginger, and not too heavy, this is the perfect beer to kick off the holiday season. Very enjoyable in view of a fireplace, or out at a bonfire.
Christmas Town Ale -
From the Frankenmuth Brewery - Frankenmuth, Michigan
This beer fits perfectly into it's own glass! The beer has a nice reddish brown color and pleasant aroma. With subtle hints of nutmeg and ginger, and not too heavy, this is the perfect beer to kick off the holiday season. Very enjoyable in view of a fireplace, or out at a bonfire.
Dec. 2nd
Winter Cheers - a celebratory wheat ale
From Victory Brewing Co. - Downington, Pennsylvania
******************************
Pours with lots of carbonation creating a tall, rich and creamy head that clings to the glass. This beer has the aroma of Christmas and fresh snowfall. Subtle hints of allspice and nutmeg compliment the fruity notes that is typical of a wheat beer. We thoroughly enjoyed this beer. Winter Cheers will not fill you up or sit heavy, so it's a good choice for after dinner, or anytime.
Winter Cheers - a celebratory wheat ale
From Victory Brewing Co. - Downington, Pennsylvania
******************************
Pours with lots of carbonation creating a tall, rich and creamy head that clings to the glass. This beer has the aroma of Christmas and fresh snowfall. Subtle hints of allspice and nutmeg compliment the fruity notes that is typical of a wheat beer. We thoroughly enjoyed this beer. Winter Cheers will not fill you up or sit heavy, so it's a good choice for after dinner, or anytime.
Dec. 3rd
Celebration - fresh hop ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Chico, California
For the IPA lover, this beer features "the first hops of the growing season." No additional "holiday" flavors added here. Just a good, hoppy beer with a thick, rich, foamy head that clings to the glass all the way down. A nice caramel color adds to the entire beer experience. It made a great "pizza" dinner beer.
(Happy Birthday Chris!)
Celebration - fresh hop ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Chico, California
For the IPA lover, this beer features "the first hops of the growing season." No additional "holiday" flavors added here. Just a good, hoppy beer with a thick, rich, foamy head that clings to the glass all the way down. A nice caramel color adds to the entire beer experience. It made a great "pizza" dinner beer.
(Happy Birthday Chris!)
Dec. 4th
Wooly - ESB with Spruce
Magic Hat Brewing Co. - Burlington, Vermont
This one is actually a flavor from last seasons Magic Hat seasonal variety pack. While Wooly Mammoth loved it for its bold flavor, I thought the spruce flavor was a little too bold. I would have to pass on this one if it was available again this season, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one or two for the mammoth! I salute the Magic Hat for its spirit of adventure in the creation of this special ale.
Wooly - ESB with Spruce
Magic Hat Brewing Co. - Burlington, Vermont
This one is actually a flavor from last seasons Magic Hat seasonal variety pack. While Wooly Mammoth loved it for its bold flavor, I thought the spruce flavor was a little too bold. I would have to pass on this one if it was available again this season, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one or two for the mammoth! I salute the Magic Hat for its spirit of adventure in the creation of this special ale.
Dec. 5th
Christmas Ale
Breckenridge Brewery - Denver, Colorado
The quote on the label says "Plenty of good cheer, Good friends ever near", how true! This beer has no "flavors of the season", however we don't always need additional flavors to celebrate the season. This beer is a medium-dark caramel color with a light, low foamy head, and a good aroma. Just a hint of hops, and a delicious flavor that is best when served not too cold. A good beer to share with friends throughout the season.
Christmas Ale
Breckenridge Brewery - Denver, Colorado
The quote on the label says "Plenty of good cheer, Good friends ever near", how true! This beer has no "flavors of the season", however we don't always need additional flavors to celebrate the season. This beer is a medium-dark caramel color with a light, low foamy head, and a good aroma. Just a hint of hops, and a delicious flavor that is best when served not too cold. A good beer to share with friends throughout the season.
Dec. 6th
Sixth Day - a festive brown ale
Goose Island Beer Co. - Chicago, Illinois
This dark caramel colored beer has a light tan head that slowly dissipates. A slightly fruity aroma invites you to take a sip. What a delicious sip it is! Full of flavor, like a barrel aged stout, but not as heavy. It has a light hop flavor followed by a slightly sweet finish. YUMMY! We highly recommend this brew while relaxing at any time, especialy with special people this holiday season.
Sixth Day - a festive brown ale
Goose Island Beer Co. - Chicago, Illinois
This dark caramel colored beer has a light tan head that slowly dissipates. A slightly fruity aroma invites you to take a sip. What a delicious sip it is! Full of flavor, like a barrel aged stout, but not as heavy. It has a light hop flavor followed by a slightly sweet finish. YUMMY! We highly recommend this brew while relaxing at any time, especialy with special people this holiday season.
Dec. 7th
Cherry Chocolate Bock - Sam Adams
The Boston Beer Co. - Boston, MA
Sam Adams line of beers has greatly expanded it's variety over recent years. Even though they have become a really big brewer, they still provide a quality beer. The recently expanded varieties shows that they are still able to experiment. Based on the name of this beer, I expected a "chocolate covered cherry" experience. I was not let down. With a dark color and light brown head, this beer would be perfect as a dessert, or a nice sipper while decorating for the season. The cherry flavor came first, followed by the chocolate. The flavors were not so over powering as to cover up the beer, although the flavors were more than subtle.
Cherry Chocolate Bock - Sam Adams
The Boston Beer Co. - Boston, MA
Sam Adams line of beers has greatly expanded it's variety over recent years. Even though they have become a really big brewer, they still provide a quality beer. The recently expanded varieties shows that they are still able to experiment. Based on the name of this beer, I expected a "chocolate covered cherry" experience. I was not let down. With a dark color and light brown head, this beer would be perfect as a dessert, or a nice sipper while decorating for the season. The cherry flavor came first, followed by the chocolate. The flavors were not so over powering as to cover up the beer, although the flavors were more than subtle.
Dec. 8th
Winterbock - high gravity lager
Atwater Brewery - Detroit, Michigan
With its reddish-brown color and lackluster foamyness, the beer has no special, seasonal flavors. It could use some. I am not sure what a winterbock is supposed to be, but I felt this should be a little heavier and flavorful. No hop flavor, no fruity flavor, not heavy, nothing impressive. It was a little bitter with a little funky aftertaste. Not worth pouring out, but I was expecting more, as was Lounge Buddy and Wooly Mammoth.
Winterbock - high gravity lager
Atwater Brewery - Detroit, Michigan
With its reddish-brown color and lackluster foamyness, the beer has no special, seasonal flavors. It could use some. I am not sure what a winterbock is supposed to be, but I felt this should be a little heavier and flavorful. No hop flavor, no fruity flavor, not heavy, nothing impressive. It was a little bitter with a little funky aftertaste. Not worth pouring out, but I was expecting more, as was Lounge Buddy and Wooly Mammoth.
Dec. 9th
Christmas Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Cleveland, Ohio
I nice copper colored ale brewed with seasonal spices and honey. Christmas ale is nicely balanced with the spices and the honey gives a sightly sweet finish. Not heavy, and not hopped up. A great beer for listening to Christmas music, watching a holiday movie, or trimming the tree.
Christmas Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Cleveland, Ohio
I nice copper colored ale brewed with seasonal spices and honey. Christmas ale is nicely balanced with the spices and the honey gives a sightly sweet finish. Not heavy, and not hopped up. A great beer for listening to Christmas music, watching a holiday movie, or trimming the tree.
Dec. 10th
Accumulation - White IPA
New Belgium Brewing - Fort Collins, Colorado
The light color is like the snow of winter, it lacks color. I was a little afraid, as this looks like it could color snow light yellow. BUT WAIT! This beer has a bit of a hop flavor with some very nice citrus compliments, followed by a slight bitter aftertaste. This beer has much more flavor than it looks. Very enjoyable, in deed! Great for Christmas carols, or any time.
Accumulation - White IPA
New Belgium Brewing - Fort Collins, Colorado
The light color is like the snow of winter, it lacks color. I was a little afraid, as this looks like it could color snow light yellow. BUT WAIT! This beer has a bit of a hop flavor with some very nice citrus compliments, followed by a slight bitter aftertaste. This beer has much more flavor than it looks. Very enjoyable, in deed! Great for Christmas carols, or any time.
Dec. 11th
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Snowdrift is a dark and creamy smooth beer with plenty of flavor. The vanilla flavor is a bit heavy, but that is what makes it a special brew. I usually stay away from vanilla flavored beer, but this one looked like it was worth a taste. It wasn't bad, and it really goes with the colder than normal weather we are having. If you really don't like vanilla in your beer, stay away from this one, otherwise it's worth a try.
Snowdrift Vanilla Porter
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Snowdrift is a dark and creamy smooth beer with plenty of flavor. The vanilla flavor is a bit heavy, but that is what makes it a special brew. I usually stay away from vanilla flavored beer, but this one looked like it was worth a taste. It wasn't bad, and it really goes with the colder than normal weather we are having. If you really don't like vanilla in your beer, stay away from this one, otherwise it's worth a try.
Dec. 12th
2XMAS - brewed in the tradition of Swedish glogg
Southern Tier Brewing Co. - Lakewood, New York
The reddish brown glogg has a strong aroma of Christmas spices. The first sip gives a mouthful of complex flavors, like ginger, allspice, nutmeg, & cinnamon followed by slight orange peel type of bitterness. If you don't like a lot of "seasonal spices" added to your brew, then stay away from this one. On the other hand, if "seasonal spiced" is what you like, then you will love this! Here's to Christmas!
2XMAS - brewed in the tradition of Swedish glogg
Southern Tier Brewing Co. - Lakewood, New York
The reddish brown glogg has a strong aroma of Christmas spices. The first sip gives a mouthful of complex flavors, like ginger, allspice, nutmeg, & cinnamon followed by slight orange peel type of bitterness. If you don't like a lot of "seasonal spices" added to your brew, then stay away from this one. On the other hand, if "seasonal spiced" is what you like, then you will love this! Here's to Christmas!
Dec 13th
Santa's Private Reserve
Rogue Ales - Oregon
A brown-copper color beer with a nice creamy foam head. This beer has a nice amount of carbonation. The first sip has a light hoppy flavor followed by a woodsy-bitter finish. Lounge Buddy and I liked it, and Wooly Mammoth REALLY liked it. Goes 'specially well with buttery pretzels!
Santa's Private Reserve
Rogue Ales - Oregon
A brown-copper color beer with a nice creamy foam head. This beer has a nice amount of carbonation. The first sip has a light hoppy flavor followed by a woodsy-bitter finish. Lounge Buddy and I liked it, and Wooly Mammoth REALLY liked it. Goes 'specially well with buttery pretzels!
Dec. 14th
Bah Humbug - Christmas Cheer!
Wychwood Brewery - Witney, Oxfordshire, England
This a very cheerful brew with no humbug at all. It has a festive reddish-brown color. This Christmas ale has no special added spices, but does feature "the choicest hops and malts". It has a little hop flavor, followed by a slightly sweet aftertaste. A delicious beer for the season, and share with friends. CHEERS!
Bah Humbug - Christmas Cheer!
Wychwood Brewery - Witney, Oxfordshire, England
This a very cheerful brew with no humbug at all. It has a festive reddish-brown color. This Christmas ale has no special added spices, but does feature "the choicest hops and malts". It has a little hop flavor, followed by a slightly sweet aftertaste. A delicious beer for the season, and share with friends. CHEERS!
Dec. 15th
Celebrator - dopplebock
Ayinger Brewery - Aying, Germany
This Bavarian double bock dark beer has a good malty aroma. The taste is full of caramely malty flaver that is heavy and "chewy" enough to be a meal of its own. A very delicious way to celebrate the season, and survive the cold of winter. This one comes with a unique little charm that would look great hanging on your Christmas tree. Prost!
Celebrator - dopplebock
Ayinger Brewery - Aying, Germany
This Bavarian double bock dark beer has a good malty aroma. The taste is full of caramely malty flaver that is heavy and "chewy" enough to be a meal of its own. A very delicious way to celebrate the season, and survive the cold of winter. This one comes with a unique little charm that would look great hanging on your Christmas tree. Prost!
Dec. 16th
Blitzen Festivus Ale
North Peak Brewing Co. - Dexter, Michigan/Traverse City, Michigan
A hoppy little ale, dark with reddish tint. After the hop flavors hit your taste buds, there follows subtle flavors of spice and fruityness. All good, all subtle. Every sip seems to bring a little different flavor, making this complex brew a perfect choice throughout the season.
Blitzen Festivus Ale
North Peak Brewing Co. - Dexter, Michigan/Traverse City, Michigan
A hoppy little ale, dark with reddish tint. After the hop flavors hit your taste buds, there follows subtle flavors of spice and fruityness. All good, all subtle. Every sip seems to bring a little different flavor, making this complex brew a perfect choice throughout the season.
Dec. 17th
4 elf Winter Warmer Ale
Dark Horse Brewery - Marshall, Michigan
This one poured a cloudy, dark chocolate color. It had a caramely, malty flavor like the Celebrator, but had seasonal spice flavors, with more accent on the nutmeg. It's thick and delicious. A beer that is sure to keep you warm through the Michigan winter. Wooly Mammoth liked this one as a meal by itself! (or with buttery pretzels too)
4 elf Winter Warmer Ale
Dark Horse Brewery - Marshall, Michigan
This one poured a cloudy, dark chocolate color. It had a caramely, malty flavor like the Celebrator, but had seasonal spice flavors, with more accent on the nutmeg. It's thick and delicious. A beer that is sure to keep you warm through the Michigan winter. Wooly Mammoth liked this one as a meal by itself! (or with buttery pretzels too)
Dec. 18th
Christmas Ale
Bells Brewery - Comstock, Michigan
Bell's Christmas Ale has a cloudy copper color with bits of sediment floating around like flakes in a snow globe. It starts out with a little hop flavor and finishes with a malty sweetness. This one tickles the taste buds, and makes the end of the day just about perfect.
Christmas Ale
Bells Brewery - Comstock, Michigan
Bell's Christmas Ale has a cloudy copper color with bits of sediment floating around like flakes in a snow globe. It starts out with a little hop flavor and finishes with a malty sweetness. This one tickles the taste buds, and makes the end of the day just about perfect.
Dec. 19th
Winter Welcome Ale
Samuel Smith Old Brewery - Tadcaster, England
This ale is a lighter copper color with a nice sweet fruity aroma and a creamy tan head. Winter Welcome ale has a lighter, rich malty taste with fruit notes and a lightly sweet finish. Enjoy this out at a bonfire, or indoors in front of the fire place, watching a snowfall and listening to your favorite Christmas music.
Winter Welcome Ale
Samuel Smith Old Brewery - Tadcaster, England
This ale is a lighter copper color with a nice sweet fruity aroma and a creamy tan head. Winter Welcome ale has a lighter, rich malty taste with fruit notes and a lightly sweet finish. Enjoy this out at a bonfire, or indoors in front of the fire place, watching a snowfall and listening to your favorite Christmas music.
Dec. 20th
Old Fezziwig Ale - Sam Adams
The Boston Beer Co. - Boston, Massachusettes
This one has been an annual favorite of mine for many years. Too bad it only comes in the variety pack. It is said that old Fezziwig knew how to celebrate Christmas, and this ale is a proper tribute. With it's fruity sweet aroma and reddish brown color, this beer is very inviting. The first sip brings a bit of chocolaty, malty goodness. What follows with continued consumption is a variety of creamy sweetness and spices. The flavors are not to over bearing, so it's a good beer to start with if you haven't tried a seasonally spiced beer before.
Old Fezziwig Ale - Sam Adams
The Boston Beer Co. - Boston, Massachusettes
This one has been an annual favorite of mine for many years. Too bad it only comes in the variety pack. It is said that old Fezziwig knew how to celebrate Christmas, and this ale is a proper tribute. With it's fruity sweet aroma and reddish brown color, this beer is very inviting. The first sip brings a bit of chocolaty, malty goodness. What follows with continued consumption is a variety of creamy sweetness and spices. The flavors are not to over bearing, so it's a good beer to start with if you haven't tried a seasonally spiced beer before.
Dec. 21st
Christmas Ale
Abita Brewing Co. - Abita Springs, Louisiana
This darker color Christmas ale has the aroma of orange peel and raisin. This one starts with a bitter flavor, followed with a raisin and fruitcake taste. the ending is also a little bitter with a bit of orange peel. It started a little rough with its bitterness, but as it warmed up near room temperature the flavor mellowed a bit, I enjoyed the second half of the bottle more than the first half.
Christmas Ale
Abita Brewing Co. - Abita Springs, Louisiana
This darker color Christmas ale has the aroma of orange peel and raisin. This one starts with a bitter flavor, followed with a raisin and fruitcake taste. the ending is also a little bitter with a bit of orange peel. It started a little rough with its bitterness, but as it warmed up near room temperature the flavor mellowed a bit, I enjoyed the second half of the bottle more than the first half.
Dec. 22nd
Rosey Nosey Holiday Ale
Batemans - Wainfleet, Lincs, United Kingdom
Rosey Nosey is a great holiday brew with its cheerfull label, medium brown/copper color and slightly fruity aroma. The ale starts with a mellow hop flavor and fruit flavors that remind me of plum, pear, and raisin. The beer keeps it's light hoppiness throughout, but as the fruit flavor builds up, you begin to notice a slightly sweet after tast about halfway through the bottle. Highly recommended to share with your favorites this holiday season!
Rosey Nosey Holiday Ale
Batemans - Wainfleet, Lincs, United Kingdom
Rosey Nosey is a great holiday brew with its cheerfull label, medium brown/copper color and slightly fruity aroma. The ale starts with a mellow hop flavor and fruit flavors that remind me of plum, pear, and raisin. The beer keeps it's light hoppiness throughout, but as the fruit flavor builds up, you begin to notice a slightly sweet after tast about halfway through the bottle. Highly recommended to share with your favorites this holiday season!
Dec. 23rd
K-9 Winter Ale
Flying Dog Brewery - Frederick, Maryland
K-9 has a dark brown color and the aroma of a pretty good beer. There are no apparent added spices that make it a "seasonal" brew. It has a hint of hops, plenty of carbonation, an a bit malty. It does taste like a good beer, but nothing seems to make it special for the season. So I suggest that this beer could be enjoyed any time of the year, because it is just a really good beer. I guess if it is only brewed in the winter, that is what makes it special. Make sure you "hit the slopes" responsibly, as this brew has a 7.4% alc/vol.
K-9 Winter Ale
Flying Dog Brewery - Frederick, Maryland
K-9 has a dark brown color and the aroma of a pretty good beer. There are no apparent added spices that make it a "seasonal" brew. It has a hint of hops, plenty of carbonation, an a bit malty. It does taste like a good beer, but nothing seems to make it special for the season. So I suggest that this beer could be enjoyed any time of the year, because it is just a really good beer. I guess if it is only brewed in the winter, that is what makes it special. Make sure you "hit the slopes" responsibly, as this brew has a 7.4% alc/vol.
Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve
Noel de Calabaza Special ale
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Michigan
It's Christmas eve and the spirits are all around. This barrel aged special brew has the typical fruit aroma of a Belgian Christmas ale. The dark brown cloudy ale has a distinct fruit flavor with a tartness that puckers the back of your jaw. There is a definite woodsy flavor, but it is subtle. This is the type of beer you sip through the evening, and grows on you. Perfect for wrapping those last minute gifts, or sitting in front of the fireplace, listening to Christmas favorites.
Noel de Calabaza Special ale
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Michigan
It's Christmas eve and the spirits are all around. This barrel aged special brew has the typical fruit aroma of a Belgian Christmas ale. The dark brown cloudy ale has a distinct fruit flavor with a tartness that puckers the back of your jaw. There is a definite woodsy flavor, but it is subtle. This is the type of beer you sip through the evening, and grows on you. Perfect for wrapping those last minute gifts, or sitting in front of the fireplace, listening to Christmas favorites.
Dec. 25th - Merry Christmas!
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale - a Belgian Abbey Ale
Brouwerij St. Bernardus HV - Watou, Belgium
Nothing like the beer I reviewed on Christmas Eve, which was a little too fruity and tart for my taste, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale has a subtle fruitiness, and no tartness. This Special brew has a cork that pops like champagne, and is highly carbonated. (pour slowly). The head is tall and creamy. The aroma is a little woodsy, but mostly beer. This Christmas ale is well balanced and not over done with extra flavors. Not your typical Belgium Christmas ale. Merry Christmas!
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale - a Belgian Abbey Ale
Brouwerij St. Bernardus HV - Watou, Belgium
Nothing like the beer I reviewed on Christmas Eve, which was a little too fruity and tart for my taste, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale has a subtle fruitiness, and no tartness. This Special brew has a cork that pops like champagne, and is highly carbonated. (pour slowly). The head is tall and creamy. The aroma is a little woodsy, but mostly beer. This Christmas ale is well balanced and not over done with extra flavors. Not your typical Belgium Christmas ale. Merry Christmas!
