Holiday Beers (2025)

Sorry about the dark photo. This is a nice holiday ale. Spice is subtle. Lots of carmel. Glad this thread got extended. Always enjoy this time of beer

 

I haven't seen that Monkless beer before! But I am putting that near the top of my shopping list for sure.

 

Is it any different from regular Negro Modelo

‘which, truth be told, is kind of watery, but often the best option at a Mexican restaurant

 

A winter beer if not a holiday beer

nice

 

Alpha Klaus. Haven’t had this one in a few years and I’m reminded why: like it but don’t love it. Many other beers are higher priorities for me this time of year.

 

A fine Celtics win and my first Belgian Quadruple review, I think I picked a good one to start with. Christmas Ale by St. Bernardus. Cheers.



4.28/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

An easy through-the-head pour into a goblet released a fat finger of creamy light beige foam with very long retention, it thins but doesn't quit. Hazy dark mahogany brown, muddy reddish brown in bright light.

Bold smell of fresh baked bread (dark wheat, toasted sourdough and a wiff of yeast) and pleasent, warming alcohol. Herbal and earthy hops jump in and balance the booze and bready malt.

Semi-sweet with medium bitterness at first; hop flavor and bitterness rise quickly during the drying middle, sweetness from baked stone fruits, apple and faint banana give way to roasted nuts (almonds and walnuts) and toasted wheat with lightly roasted grains. The finish is slow and semi-dry with long lingering hop bitterness, an excepable astringent bite joins in.

Medium bodied with plentiful, soft carbonation. Bold malt flavors and abundant hops balance the booze. The warmer it gets the smoother it feels. The dynamic taste process moves fast but the finish allows a chance to savor multiple flavors as they slowly wane. The warming booze has the last say.

 

Last night was at one of Neshaminy Creek Brewery's taprooms.

They brewed a beer for Festivus, called Feats of Strength. Belgain-style Tripel. The place was mobbed and a single bartender so unfortunately served in plastic.

https://youtube.com/shorts/yLG5Oz5CofA?si=aLAwju4cwgUK4Fkw

 

Saranac has a 12 Beers of Christmas pack.

Includes this one, White Out that I drank at work holiday party this afternoon.


Then this evening my wife and I hit up Allegheny City Brewery while here in Pittsburgh. They had a spiced Winter Warmer called Vincovats. A little too heavy on the clove for me.

 

Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Thirsty Dog. Cheers.

 

Santa vs Unicorn, a nice American barleywine from Pipeworks. I prefer the English variety, but this one balance the hop and fruit flavors well.

 

Old Nation Frandor Claus Stout - A stout with cocoa nibs and "natural cherry & vanilla flavors." The cocoa nibs are barely there, so the other flavors take over. For a brewery that is mostly known for its NEIPAs, they do put out other very good beers, including this one.

 

My favorite Christmas spiced beer, an every year treat, the one and only.

Great Lakes - Christmas Ale

 

The Negro Modelo offers more to like for what it is — as you say, usually the go-to in a Mexican restaurant. I had to work hard to pick up any notes of a festive/spiced beer for this (I tossed my notes because it was that forgettable). Bottom line, even around the holidays, I’m opting for the Negro if both are on the menu at the local cantina.

 

Dos Equis Amber on Draft is worth a look when options are few. It's a Mexican Vienna Lager with some corn flavor, it might pair well with a nachos appetizer.
Cheers.

 

A local Contender along the lines of Sierra Nevada Celebration. Plenty of pine some caramel & orange peel in restrained amounts 4.29 overall. May have to get to the brewery & try it on draft

 

Beautiful artwork in the background. Nice complement to your Christmas Ale.

 

Great Lakes - Christmas ale

Perfect level of spices.