Holiday Beers (2025)

Corsendonk Christmas Ale

 

My second beer this evening will check the “international holiday beer” box and has been enjoyed by a number of beer nerds in this magnificent thread, but my first beer is a beer I’d wager a decent amount of Mrs ovaltine’s money will not be enjoyed by anyone else in this tasting event.

Short’s Brewing Company is ….. adventurous in their brewing, and this WCDIPA is definitely adventurous. I am really digging this in a cold, snowy evening in Northern Indiana.





4.25/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a beautiful golden color that is nearly clear and sports a rocky oatmeal colored head that lingers as a nice cap on the beer and provides big ropes of lacing.

The nose bursts with the aroma of blue spruce needles, and there’s also lots of cranberry, and there’s a smidge of citrus as well courtesy of the juniper berries, which also provides pine notes.

The blue spruce needles lead on the taste as well, and they’re nicely balanced by the cranberries and subtle citrus flavor, and there’s a nice bit of bitterness. I am digging this - a LOT.

The mouthfeel is full and very dry, adding to the drinkability. I was intrigued by this beer when I saw it, and I’m really glad I grabbed the 6er. A really well done winter sipper.

 

‘Not interactive, unfortunately. And a belated tip of the hat/glass to you for hosting this fun get-together! Love it!

 

Your post was informative for me. I recently picked up a single of this to try as part of a mix-six, but didnt realize it was a Holiday beer. From Constellation 's website:

Will now be cracking one open soon.

 

Keeping with today's theme, St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel. A Belgian Dark Strong Ale, and a new one for me. Saw it in a shop the other day, and something called me back, just in time for this tasting.
Huge head, but subsides pleasantly. Not a ton of initial aroma, but par for the course with these types. Rich but not overly cloying mouthful. Taste: reminds me of the heavy hitters (Straafe Hendricks Quad, St. Bernardus Christmas. Those guys). 9% ABV, as expected, but NO alcohol overbite.
This was a little pricey, but will now enter the canon of my Winter rotations. If I can ever find it again. Surprisingly only rated #100 on BA. World class in my humble opinion.

 

Tonight's offering

Delirium Noel

I really enjoy this beer. L24-23158 date code so probably a year old. Candi sugar and fruit galore with the yeast adding its own twist. Cheers all!

 

Modelo - Noche Especial

Toasty malt flavor, but not overly complex. A little sweet. Mouthfeel is a little watery.

 

#2, I can’t believe I’ve never had this. A very nice “comfort food” winter warmer that I’d gladly try again.





4.02/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a crystal clear copper color with a foamy off white head that lingers and provides a nice little cap on the body of the beer. Beautiful beer.

The nose is really focused on the milky caramel aroma, and there’s also a fruity hop aroma that is more prominent on the taste, making for a balanced winter warmer.

The mouthfeel is medium, fitting the beer perfectly. This is a “comfort food” beer that I’d gladly try again

 

Good version this year.

 

Finally joining the fun after watching and cheering from the sidelines yesterday.

Thank you @thebeers for doing this one again, much appreciated; there has been some great beers and photos thus far.

Tonight a special beer from @vurt, chockfull of Christmas pine glory; also what is more holiday themed than spruce tips and the spirit of giving? I had to use the second can to highlight the beauty of this label...here we go.

Fort George - Magnanimous IPA (AIPA with Grand Fir Tips 7%)



This beer borders on, or crosses into it, perfection...just straight up classic old school IPA with chinook pine and bite, enhanced beautifully by grand fir tips from the pine forests of the northwest. The stickiness of this beer is second to none, pine tingle in the sinuses and on the tongue with high and clean lingering bitterness, incredibly drinkable for its abv, a Christmas miracle in a can is accurate @vurt, I'm not sure it gets any better.

Happy Holidaze everyone, I'm looking forward to hopefully posting another holiday themed beer tomorrow, more of the traditional spiced type, see you all then.

 

Yes, one of the greatest and takes some hunting to procure. But well worth the effort.

 

Wasn’t gonna buy this but the holiday beer tasting twisted my arm. It’s a premium holiday offering but worth the dough for at least one 4 pack and the cans here were about 8 bucks cheaper

 

That was one of my favorites -probably about 10years ago or so, along with Jenlain. Neither of which I can get anymore.
How’d it hold up?

 

Sipping some Trader Joe's Vintage Ale 2025. Drinking great right about now!

 

FFF Christmas Porter. My holiday tradition.

 

Needs more Krampus and less fat lady

 

Goose island reindeer games from the source. Spices, citrus, dark fruit, cocoa, and toasty malts. This hits the spot for the holidays. Cheers everyone! May your holidays be amazing