In my beer fridge, I've got: 1. a single N'ice Chouffe (they started early - but, hell, its TW, could be last years) 2. 6er of Victory (Very) Merry Monkey (unsure if this is a new recipe or same off of Merry Monkey - slightly lower ABV, and Untappd calls it a tripel) 3. 6er of Narragansett White Christmas. I checked in Lone Trail Hibernator a few days ago (drank it long time ago, just doing clean up). I kind of wish spiced ale/lager would stay year round.
Whatever the actual IBUs, it's certainly got the perfect zip to it. There have been to my recollection some years where the perceived bitterness was higher, but the past several years it's been totally dialed in.
If it were available around me, I’d def drink an Avery Old Jubilation ale now. Do they still brew it? Fantastic beer.
Fixed that for you The overwhelmingly vast majority of spiced ales are 12 kinds of awful, usually due to heavy-handedness. As to the Christmas beers (unspiced ONLY), I start drinking them whenever I see them. You know, being an adult and all, I can do whatever I want, so . . . .
Yes, cans. The very last batch they brewed before closing went into cans—I think it was a last minute sort of thing since the shut down was so abrupt.
If they're of the "malty, warming" variety, usually the first true cold snap. If spiced, I'll wait until closer to the holiday. The malty guys are welcome all through the winter. The spiced ones are usually one and done, as the practice of spicing seems to have gone from subtle and complementary to the malt and yeast to overwhelming over the years. I always thought Ommegang did a good job of this with Cup O' Kyndnes (even though it was a NYE beer).
As I celebrate Christmas in the Old Ye European time slot, I will start celebrations on December 1st up until The 2nd week of January. Makes sense for me, and after that, if the weather here in Philly is chiller this year, I am going to stock up on stouts shortly!
Short answer to the thread title: As soon as I can get 'em! Which, now for the last 2-3 years means.....starting the 3rd week of....October?!? I've always thought New Belgium was shit, right from the beginning. It HAS to be the yeast or the water or something because almost every single brew of any style from them gave me an off-putting, earthy, dirt-eatin'-and-not-in-a-good-way aftertaste. And it's been a consistent, dirt-eatin' aftertaste from day one until now.
12/01/XX for Xmas ales. 10/01/XX for Festbiers and Oktoberfests Nobody asked, but I don't drink pumpkin beers at all.
I am not sure it even made it across De Haro. I just happened to ride up at the right place and the right—well, wrong—time, since they just announced their closure.
I've had one or two St. Bernardus Christmas Ales this year... So I suppose anytime? In regards to during the actual holiday season, I wouldn't mind dipping into one around Thanksgiving or whenever we're putting up the Christmas Tree.
