Holiday Beers (2025)

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Sort of...her tolerance was sort lived

 

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:



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?

 

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

 

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.

 

I grab some of this juice every winter. Summit Winter Ale
Works every year!!

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.

 

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!



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

 

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

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!

 

My review is from Nov 27, 2021