Holiday Beers (2025)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by thebeers, Dec 12, 2025.

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  1. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Evil Twin Even more XMAS Imperial Stout, 12.0% ABV. pretty good, call it a solid B/B+

    [​IMG]

     
    #161 russpowell, Dec 14, 2025
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  2. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Is that Whitey Herzog dressed as Santa on the left? :laughing: (RIP Whitey). You've got some great Christmas decorations. Keep 'em coming. :beers:
     
    #162 Jaycase, Dec 14, 2025
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  3. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Stay toasty!
     
    #163 russpowell, Dec 14, 2025
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  4. 67elbirdos

    67elbirdos Crusader (403) Sep 20, 2021 Missouri
    Society

    Closing it out stateside with the ubiquitous Celebration.

    [​IMG]
     
    #164 67elbirdos, Dec 14, 2025
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  5. 67elbirdos

    67elbirdos Crusader (403) Sep 20, 2021 Missouri
    Society

    The Rat would have been clutching a tumbler of Scotch for this holiday happening.
     
    #165 67elbirdos, Dec 14, 2025
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  6. Amendm

    Amendm Pooh-Bah (2,601) Jun 7, 2018 Rhode Island
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I enjoyed three Belgian holiday themed beers today; Corsendonk Christmas Ale, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale and Delirium Noel. I will be revisiting these awesome brews and writing reviews at a later date.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Cheers and Happy Holidays.
     
    #166 Amendm, Dec 14, 2025
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  7. Amendm

    Amendm Pooh-Bah (2,601) Jun 7, 2018 Rhode Island
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Just finished this bad boy. Cheers.

    [​IMG]
     
    #167 Amendm, Dec 14, 2025
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  8. 67elbirdos

    67elbirdos Crusader (403) Sep 20, 2021 Missouri
    Society

    Digging that ‘67 Bosox AL champs chalice!
     
    #168 67elbirdos, Dec 14, 2025
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  9. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The year I started playing little league. Yaz was my guy
     
    #169 russpowell, Dec 14, 2025
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  10. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well, Im finally getting to contribute to this thread! thank you to @thebeers for hosting, Cheers to you! Coached two indoor soccer games today and came out with two wins. So definitely feel I earned this beverage and hopefully the next one too! I always try to promote Connecticut breweries in these tasting threads and tonight is no different.

    This is Norbrook Farm Brewery in Colebrook, COnnecticut. Beer is the Doldrums of Winter, a 9% imperial stout. Maybe not a holiday beer specifically, and no spices were harmed in the making of this beer, but I say it fits as the label says winter and has snow in the picture.

    Onto my review:

    [​IMG]

    Sampling a cellar temp 16 oz can poured into a snifter. Date stamp is Y000706K but not sure what date that corresponds to. Purchased the beer at a beer store nearby my house.
    The beer pours a deep cola color with a large fluffy beige head of over 2 cm. This foam fades slowly but is only a thin surface layer after a few minutes. I do get scattered lattice on my glass after sips and swirls.
    Aroma is dark bakers chocolate, roasted malts and maybe a little char. No hop character and not really boozy either.
    First sip reveals a medium body with slightly sticky mouthfeel. Carbonation is minimal and the beer drinks pretty easy.
    Flavor is what the nose advertises, I get bakers chocolate and roast malt, the dry chocolate note is certainly not sweet. Again, no hop character and the 9% abv is well hidden. Not a complex imperial stout, but it is quite tasty and nice to have a big dark beer that isnt like a candy bar. Id be glad to drink this one again, and good news, Ive got 3 more cans in the cellar.
    4.29 in the BA DB
     
    #170 sulldaddy, Dec 14, 2025
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  11. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    Heading to the hot tub

    I used to make a clone of this beer when stationed in Hawaii. Two of my buds fronted me $ I'd make them help me brew. Was hoping I was spreading knowledge. Got free beer that was almost as good. Never just thought to just buy out the stock at the Class VI ( 6 ) store on base, plus it didn't show up a year or two

     
    #171 russpowell, Dec 14, 2025
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  12. Amendm

    Amendm Pooh-Bah (2,601) Jun 7, 2018 Rhode Island
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I need a chalice or something short and squat for Belgian Beers.

    That was about the time I first hit one off of a tee.

    Cheers and thanks guys.
     
    #172 Amendm, Dec 14, 2025
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  13. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm drinking a 12oz can of Avery Old Jubilation. A basement floor pull. Canned 09/25/24.
    From the same 6 pack that I posted in last years Holiday tasting.
    It's tasting good too. one year didn't hurt it at all.
    I tried searching for last years thread but couldn't go back that far in time.
     
    #173 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Dec 14, 2025
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  14. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    2nd and final beer for tonight. Again, sharing some Connecticut love with y'all!
    This is Double Gingerbread Cookies from Little House Brewing Company in Chester, packaged at 12 Percent in North Haven.

    onto my review:

    [​IMG]
    I am sampling a 16 oz can at cellar temp and poured into a snifter. date stamp on bottom of can says u5u 11:46:38 ???
    Picked up the cans at the local beer shop.
    Beer pours a rich mahogany color and rests even darker in my glass, no light is passing through. A dense creamy beige head foams up about 1.5 cm. This foam slowly fades to a thin surface covering.
    Aroma on this beer is sweet toffee mixing with a good dose of ginger and some cinnamon. I dont get any vanilla really and certainly no hops. The ABV is also well hidden for a bigger beer.
    First sip reveals a medium to light body with very fine and sort of prickly carbonation.
    Flavor on this one is pretty much as expected, I get toffee and some light fruitiness with a good bit of gingerbread and vanilla mixing. Cinnamon comes through on the finish and lingers a bit after each swallow. Never any hop character and the ABV is totally hidden. Finish is definitely a little on the sweet side and the body could be a bit thicker, but this beer is pretty decent for what it is. glad I picked up a 4 pack.
    4.09 in the BA DB
     
    #174 sulldaddy, Dec 14, 2025
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  15. CBlack85

    CBlack85 Pooh-Bah (2,762) Jul 12, 2009 South Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Such a good beer!

    [​IMG]
     
    #175 CBlack85, Dec 14, 2025
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  16. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm drinking a 12oz can of Lakefront Holiday Spice Lager. A basement floor pull. Canned 09OCT2024. 10.5% Brandy Barrel Aged. From the same 6 pack that I posted in last years Holiday tasting.

    It's Ok, it was better fresh or fresher. It would have been better if it was stored in a fridge
     
    #176 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Dec 14, 2025
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  17. thebeers

    thebeers Grand Pooh-Bah (5,837) Sep 10, 2014 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Last official day of the tasting, BAs! I loved seeing all the Belgians and other tasty beverages in the thread yesterday. Looking forward to closing out strong!

    Thus far, we’ve enjoyed:

    Beers Opened: 115
    Christmas Trees: 29
    Santa Sightings: 10
    Winter Wonderlands: 9
    Celebrations: 9
    St Bs: 7
    Deliriums: 5
    One Handers: 4.5
    Great Lakes: 4
    Samichlaus: 3
    Scaldis Noel: 3
    Anchors/Rogues/HotDs: 3
    Old Fitzes: 3
    Modelos: 2

    On top of all that, we had:
    • Best French Horror Christmas Beer with a Bundle of Joy on the Way: @Shanex
    The theme of the day is locals — but don’t let that stop you from opening any holiday beer that tickles your fancy. I know I won’t. :beers:

     
    #177 thebeers, Dec 14, 2025
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  18. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My selection today honours the Prince of Bohemia, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. He helped people in need until killed by his younger brother Boleslaus "The Cruel" during the feast of Boleslav. He was posthumously declared king by the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, and was the inspiration for the Christmas Song Good King Wenceslas.

    Art History Wenceslas

    3.93/5 rDev -5.1%
    look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

    [​IMG]

    Full review linked above. Sharp aroma and nice mouthfeel, the flavors of caramel and roast malts mellow and subdued in the taste department. Still a good offering by one of my favorite local breweries.

    If I am inspired later today, I have a few Winter offerings on hand to continue the Holiday celebration. If not, I thank @thebeers for his excellent stewardship of our weekend celebratory thread, and wish each and every one of you an enjoyable holiday or Christmas celebration, and all the best to close out this year and throughout 2026!

    “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
     
    #178 ChicagoJ, Dec 14, 2025
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  19. thebeers

    thebeers Grand Pooh-Bah (5,837) Sep 10, 2014 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    Shiner Holiday Cheer

    First round of shoveling is done. Waiting for the furnace dude to show. Perfect time for a beer.

    I was thinking this would be another AAL-inspired “bock,” but it’s actually an AAL-inspired dunkelweizen — with peach and pecans added! I didn’t think my weizen glass would do a 12-ounce beer any justice, so I opted for the FML Fest glass instead.

    Right out of the gate, this is a looker. It pours a clear, dark honey-amber color with a creamy-looking tan cap. It has solid retention and leave fantastic thick, webbed lacing.

    Big peach exploded in the nose. Maybe it’s a little artificial, but I don’t mind. There’s some distant packaged wheat bread behind, too.

    Some of that peach Snapple carries to the taste, where it’s joined by a very astringent tea-like and peanut-skin bitterness. Is that the pecans’ contribution? It softens a bit over time, but maybe they should have went with cashews.

    Sharp carbonation dominates the medium-bodied feel.

    For what this is, the look and smell are great. I’d probably stop there, though. Better than expected, but only something I’d drink again if someone else was buying. :beers:

     
    #179 thebeers, Dec 14, 2025
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2025
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  20. keithmurray

    keithmurray Pooh-Bah (2,967) Oct 7, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    nothing like some Premium Aass!!!
     
    #180 keithmurray, Dec 14, 2025
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