Holiday Beers (2025)

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

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  1. 67elbirdos

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

    Back on track. Civil Life Burton on Holt strong bitter — brewed for the STL holiday season. Some toasty marmalade, tobacco, tea.

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  2. russpowell

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

    Evil Twin Brewing Our Most Popular Holiday Beer, 8.0% ABV; Low B/High C beer for me. Cinnamon a little too prominent

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  3. Jaycase

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

    Happy Holidays all. And thanks to @thebeers for being a most gracious host.

    This Czech Dark Lager from Art History Brewing, Wenceslas, has become a seasonal favorite for me the last few years. Just a delicious beer and perfectly suited for the holiday season - freshly baked brown bread, toasted nuttiness, some cocoa and dark caramel. Cheers all.

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  4. Jaycase

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

    Maude is quite the sport! Most any other cat wouldn't have stuck around with that on for any length of time it takes to snap a picture. :laughing:

    Love those figurines. In my view, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer cannot be beat for Christmas TV specials. Watching those Rankin/Bass Christmas specials on CBS....good memories.
     
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  5. 67elbirdos

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

    For sure, still enjoy the charm of what were the can’t miss shows of our youth. My kids were struck by the “primitive” technique of the stop-action claymation, which I think is the greatest attribute.
     
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  6. 67elbirdos

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

    Closing on the highest note of my options that say “Christmas.”* KC Bier’s Winterbock.

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  7. 67elbirdos

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

    I once went through a couple cases of this each Christmas season. A single 6 last year and, probably, this year, too. It’s acceptable, but no longer a gem.
     
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  8. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Sort of...her tolerance was sort lived
     
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  9. thebeers

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

    Day 1 is in the books, BAs. Together on Friday there were:

    Beers Opened: 37
    Christmas Trees: 9
    Winter Wonderlands: 4
    Celebrations: 4
    Santa Sightings: 4
    Old Fitzes: 3
    Great Lakes: 3
    One Handers: 2
    Mad Elves: 1

    I’d be remiss if I didn’t shoutout:

    * Most Likely to Appreciate a Gift from “The Twelve Days of Christmas”: @BeerVikingSailor

    * Tallest Tree: @jmdrpi

    * Most Likely to Get Me in Trouble with Todd: @REVZEB

    * Best Christmas Tchotchkes: @67elbirdos

    * Best Bush: @russpowell

    Today’s optional theme is International Holiday Beers. As always though, post any holiday beer you’ve got! I look forward to seeing them! :beers:

     
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  10. Ozzylizard

    Ozzylizard Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,419) Oct 5, 2013 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good day BAs! I don't normally drink spiced/Xmas beer - partially because they rarely make it to this area and partially because I don't really enjoy spiced brews (except cinnamon). However, on last month's trip to TX, I did pick up one:

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    Christmas Bomb from Prairie Artisan. 12 oz bottle from Spec’s # 100, SAT, TX, 11/11/25. $8.63 (including tax) ($0.719/oz). Stored at room temperature in store and at 40 degrees after purchase. Reviewed 13/12/25, review 3656.
    Final impression and summation: 3.5 Uncredited label art. Easy drinking vaguely spicey vaguely chocolate stout.
    Rating 3.48, rDev -15.9%

    I do have a couple of questions for those of you more familiar with Prairie Artisan brews - is the date on the shoulder (09.25.2024) a pkg/bottled date or a BB/expiration date (?) and since the label is totally different from the one on BA, which (if either) is current?
     
  11. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good weekend and a very happy merry Christmas / Holidays advocates!

    Happy to participate here in a little bit, we got back from a Christmas market in the next small town and found a craft local brewer and his offerings; including most importantly a Christmas beer, or bière de Noël in French, that he smartly named in a (French) punny way - Bière No Hell (Noël):

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    T
    hose two others beers aside are not Christmas related but figured it looked good overall.

    Back in a little bit, cooling it in the fridge and get back to celebrate the holidays season with you all, cheers!
     
  12. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bière No Hell it is then.

    The Beer Witched is the local brewery in question. "Randomly" found in the Xmas Market, oddly never have heard of this one though it’s thirty minutes from where I live.

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    A 330ml bottle at 6% ABV.

    A blonde looking (yellow!), leaving this thin white foam.

    Slightly spiced which is my preference.

    Mouthfeel is thin bodied, medium carbonation.

    Overall, an enjoyable experience, not quite the more heavily malty, or spicy Christmas beers I’ve had from Belgium for instance. Good, palatable and not OTT. I likey. :wink:

    Oof, this isn’t the most flattering photo of myself, but the bonus you get is my lovely missus showing proudly her belly. She’s more glamorous than me, I get it.

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    Cheers, all.
     
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  13. russpowell

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

    More pics of the Noel Markets for us poor slobs stuck here
     
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  14. thebeers

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

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    N’ice Chouffe

    IMHO, Belgian Christmas ales are what beer advocacy in December is all about. This one pours a murky amber-brown with a large tan heady with good retention before giving way to rocky dissipation and leaving thick lacing. Belgian candi sugar, raisin pastry, distant clove and molasses and Belgian yeast mingle in the nose and taste, coupled with a hint of buttery diacetyl and nice touch of warming alcohol. Medium to full bodied, lightly creamy, with soft carbonation. This is a superb Christmas beer. :beers:

     
  15. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Santa Clausthaler

    This is a 50/50 blend of Non Alcoholic Clausthaler near beer and Cranberry-Cinnamon drink. I like it, the hint of cinnamon and mild cranberry tartness is a good balance to any malt sweetness that you often have with an NA beer.
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  16. thebeers

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

    Did you see the fools on the Discord hating on this song? One was from effing Jersey!
     
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  17. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I grab some of this juice every winter. Summit Winter Ale
    Works every year!!
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    3.88/5 rDev +3.7%
    look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
    12oz bottle into a 16oz Summit Winter Ale dimple mug.
    L: Pours deep clear ruby mahogany color w a pillowy, creamy, rocky pock-marked light khaki 1/2" head w excellent retention, nice fine carbo, medium sticky spotty lacing.
    S: Darkly roasted/toasted caramelized malts, raisins, light cocoa, moist brown bread, root beer, toffee, light molasses, a suggestion of light coffee. Slightly rich aroma over all.
    T: Clean & bright, dark toasted malts with no char, a wisp of black cherries, hints of dark fruits, lightly sweet, citrus zest finish.
    F: Lightly brisk, clean, med-light bodied w an affable cola-like feel, yet smooth & creamy, a lightly dry med-long finish w a light linger.
    O: Very EZ drinking and beautifully balanced beer that is lighter bodied over all than many other within the style. Very accommodating w a well placed kiss of hops. It is very good in its style.
     
  18. BeerVikingSailor

    BeerVikingSailor Grand Pooh-Bah (3,667) Nov 19, 2009 Ohio
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hey holiday BAs

    This UK brew is always a treat I enjoy!
    Makes me feel like I should be reading Dickens Christmas Carol, and listening to some old English holiday carols!

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    view of the vineyard I was picking grapes at for ice wine production - brrrr, it was cold out there!

    [​IMG]
     
  19. jkblr

    jkblr Grand Pooh-Bah (5,132) Nov 22, 2014 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good morning all
    I picked up a single of this to try unaware that a tasting of holiday beers was in the works
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    Very Merry Monkey

    12oz can BEST BY Sep 15 2026 poured into a tulip glass at just above fridge temp 9.5% ABV. The beer pours bright medium amber with light khaki colored head. The head recedes to a thin ring and single layer of bubbles. Slight lacing. The aroma is mild with molasses and ginger juxtaposed with bubblegum & banana esters. The taste is semisweet with clove, molasses and ginger sprinkled atop a hefty tripel. Minimal bitterness. The feel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a semi dry finish. The high ABV is fairly well hidden witj just some general warming. Overall, it's a holiday cookie tripel as advertised.

    I actually purchased some other holiday singles for when the mood struck and I may forgo further new beer this weekend for some familiar favorites. Cheers all!
     
  20. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My review is from Nov 27, 2021:grin:
     
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