Holiday Beers (2025)

Reindeer Breath - Aurora

Talk about false advertising! This smells nothing even remotely like reindeer breath. And we can all be thankful for that. My review from last year.

 

Hair of the Dog - Doggie Claws 2020

Boozy for only 10% abv, I get rum, peach, a little molasses. Taste is sticky, not much carbonation.

Happy first night of Hanukkah to those that celebrate

 

Even as a Yankees fan, I always liked Yaz.

 

My final offering in this fantastic tasting event, big thanks to @thebeers for hosting. This is sorta local (90 miles away) and very interesting - especially the label art.



4.04/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a clear ruby-hued brown color with a foamy tan head that provides big splotches of lacing. Beautiful barleywine/imperial red ale.

The nose features a lot of grapefruit and mandarin orange, and there’s some earthy pine and ripe berries, and a dollop of caramalt.

The citrus notes are forward on the taste and work well with pine and berry flavors, with the caramalt for balance. There’s also a noticeable alcohol warming at the back of the palate.

There’s also mouthfeel is full and drying. This bounces between hoppy barleywine and big red ale, but it’s worthy of a try.

 

My offering for this thread is a local tribute to an old classic.



Distinctive Holiday Ale from Cloudburst Brewing up in Seattle is not quite a replica of Anchor Our Special Ale, but is certainly a tasty homage.

 

Third Eye Brewing's Holiday Munchies. 5.7% sugar cookie blonde ale. Cheers.

 

Last beer of the weekend so it’s gotta be the King of holiday warmers. I can’t believe it took between Thanksgiving and Christmas to drink a case of this the first time I bought it and now we’re well into the second case, cheers!

 

Brewed for a small local grocer (Straub’s) by Friendship Brewing Co., about 30 miles outside of STL: “A Brew of Our Favorite Things” Winter Lager. One finger head that dissipated quickly. Roasty nose of a dark lager, with flavors of caramel malt, cocoa nibs, coffee that all play together nicely.

 

I hope you are staying warm

 

Fat Head’s Pink Tequila Barrel-Aged Pimp My Sleigh

 

For the Packers game I drank a 32oz crowler can of Leinenkugel's FIRESIDE NUT BROWN ale.
4.9% A tap room exclusive. I have not had this one in years but I remember the last time I had it was at a bar in Hudson WI. It was on tap. how many years ago was it? was it 10 or was it 13 years ago? I went to the lodge in Chippewa falls yesterday.

Taste is nut slightly bitter It's kinda like a mild Hazelnut flavor. Then a hint of roast, next is sweet brown sugar. At the finish there is a hint of a berry/floral note.
The mouth feel is smooth and it's not thin for a 4.9% beer.

Not a bad beer at all. I see it has very low ratings here, but I will give it a 3.97/5
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/710/44283/

At the lodge I also had a full pour of Black Porter and a Big Eddy Uber Ofest.
I bought a crowler of Snowdrift Vanilla Porter too but I don't think I will drink it today.
https://untappd.com/v/leinie-lodge/80144

 

This one is a bit too boozy for my tastes. I prefer the non barrel aged one, but it is still a good strong keep you warm beer for it being 11 degrees outside right now.

 

Have one that I meant to share yesterday but didn’t play my cards right, so I enjoyed it tonight-

Surprised by how much I enjoyed it and wished I had more.
Like, why don’t they sell this by the liter?
Light and tasty. Much enjoyed.
Cheers!

 

Delirium Noel, a holiday classic!



Had some of the kids that will be traveling for the holidays over for an early Christmas. Shared this with my youngest son.

 

Prairie Artisan Ales Christmas BOMB! spiced imperial stout. Cheers BA’s!

 

A classic

 

Thanks to @thebeers for hosting this event. Beer tastings are necessary; they drag me out of my comfort zone and incentivize me to explore different beers and styles.

My final entry is Toy Soldier by Jack's Abby of scenic Framingham, Massachusetts.
I consider Jack's Abby to be a local brewery; they are under an hour's drive. Happy Holidays!





3.93/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

An easy through-the-head pour released two fingers of fizzy foam with large bubbles, short lived leaving behind spots of lacing. Slightly hazy amber orange body, I can't read through it.

Orange leads the candy like mild smell, caramel, bready malt, and toasted grains follow. Baking spice featuring nutmeg replaces hops.

Semi sweet with mild spice bitterness at first, ginger adds some heat to the spice. Caramel and bready malt flavors are equal, candied orange and honey battle nutmeg and spicy ginger during the middle. The finish is drawn out (it barely reaches semi dry) with the sweetness giving way to boldly lingering, bitter spicy heat. This heat is not peppery.

Medium light bodied with below average carbonation, it ended a bit flat. Considering all of the ingredients, this one is well balanced but is not very smooth. Alcohol is very well hidden behind the spicy and ginger. As it warms the sweetness rises above the spice.

 

Back at home and enjoying a can of Whispering One Winter Warmer from Wayfinder (so many W's..!). It's a strong lager aged on Tokaji staves, which add notes of apricots and cinnamon to this satisfying malty lager.