Must try holiday beers

So far of the ones I have had, gotta say the Anchor Steam. Solid brew again this year with a bit more spice and ginger to it than last years piney aspects.

 

Celebration 20xx is my favorite holiday beer for year 20xx. Followed by GL Christmas Ale 20xx.

 

So far from this year's batch I would say Celebration. I have not yet gotten my hands on GL Christmas. Achor's was good, but not great for me.

 

Widmer bros Brrrrrrr

 

Anchor Our Special Ale 2013 - freakin' delicious this year!

Widmer Brrrrrrr

SN Celebration

Hoppin Frog Frosted Frog and BA version

Market Garden Festivus (for the rest of us)

Thirsty Dog 12 Dog Xmas

Southern Tier 2XMas

 

Stille Nacht is the best Christmas beer by far. This year's, last year's, 2004's, it don't matter.

 

SN Celebration
Revolution Fistmas
3 Floyd's Alpha Klaus

 

My favorite Video for a Christmas Ale is Great Lakes Christmas Ale. I don't know who did it but its great.

 

Sierra Nevada Celebration

 

1. Alesmith Yulesmith - damn I love this beer.
2. Celebration - a timeless classic
3. Great Lakes Christmas Ale - really nice for a change, and not overly spiced.

I haven't had Boulevard Nutcracker yet, but it's on my list. I've really enjoyed it in the past.

 

I am actually digging the Schalfly Christmas Ale this year. Last year I was convinced Great Lakes Christmas was the greatest thing to happen to beer, but now I am not so sure. It is great stuff to be sure, but I think the Schlafly Christmas has a very similar body and malt build to their pumpkin ale, and I love that stuff.

 

Mad Elf
EDIT: Also Fireside chat from 21st

 

Three Philosphers.

 

Haven't had that many.

Unoriginal choice, but SN Celebration is really great. And, I think Deschute's Jubelale is fantastic as well.

New Belgium Accumulation and Bell's Winter White were very underwhelming for me.

 

Celebration is always great and the one this year is especially nice.
Boulder's new Shake Chocolate Porter has been a pleasant surprise for me.
Frambozen looks a little clearer than before, but still has that raspberry jam and nutella on toast flavor.
Sam Winter is my one disappointment. I can't put my finger on it, but it's just missing something.

 

Only beer I've had so far was Celebration, of which I've gone through about three six packs already. Other than that, I treat Christmas Ales, like I treat Christmas: I don't think about them until December. Celebration for me really comes off as a year-round beer, so I had no qualms about it, but I held of buying Anchor Xmas, Delirium Noel, GI Sixth Day, Kasteel Winter and other beers available in my market until I'd gotten over the Thanksgiving hump.

I'll see what I can try to add some input in the next few weeks, but damn if this isn't a rough time to justify buying beer... Especially after the BCBS release and a trip to Tucson where I spent the rent money buying stuff NM doesn't get.

Oh, and I just had Velvet Merlin and loved it. Is that an Xmas beer? If so, add that to my list.

C

 

There's no finish. It completely fades away. There's some really nice upfront flavor, but then it disintegrates to nothing. It's completely palatable, even "good" at the beginning, and then "where did it go?"

 

Haven't seen it yet this year, but my perennial favorite is Mahr's Christmas bock

 

I love SN Celebration, in fact had one tonight. But it just isn't a real Christmas beer to me. Just like I don't consider BCBS a Christmas beer just because it's released in late November. I love St. Bernardus Christmas, although haven't had it yet this year. What I did discover at a local Belgian beer bar this year and absolutely loved was Scaldis Noel Premium.

 

So far I've had Celebration, Upslope Christmas Ale, and Goose Island 6th Day. Totally different styles, each, but overall I enjoyed the Goose Island most.