Winter Seasonals 2017

On an early December weekend, we always decorate the tree, put up the lights and enjoy the day with my family then open a Celebration (or two) when the duties are mostly done. We grill some steaks and then have a special dessert. The fact that we get Celebration late October but have it for the entire season is just great.

I also enjoy a Mad Elf and a St. Bernardus Christmas Ale as we get a little cooler.

 

Samichlaus. Mmmmmm.

 

Winter, for me, means stout season, so I'm looking forward to BCBS (fingers crossed), Great Lakes Blackout Stout, and, while not exactly a seasonal, the Black Note I happened upon a few weeks ago.

 

I've been looking forward to the stouts and porters I've recently stowed in my beer fridge, including Black Note and Black Maple w and w/o vanilla, Backwoods Bastard last year's and this, and various Christmas ales including BA 12 Dogs of Christmas. Plus possibly bringing in the new year with an Old Stock vertical.

 

I am not a fan of gingerbread cookies but love Sam Adams Merry Maker, a gingerbread stout. I had this two years ago, and have been watching for it ever since. I recently heard it became tap-only last year, but then someone recently mentioned it is being bottled again and would hit in late November. It was in bombers last time, but whatever format, I'll stock up. You know how some beers are touted as tasting like xxxxx but you can barely taste it? Not here - Merry Maker smacks you in the face with gingerbread.

 

Bell’s Christmas Ale... which seems significantly different this year though.

 

Great divide hibernation ale, I drink close to a case year or more. Other than that it's just countless imperial stouts. I love winter for beer, it makes the shitty weather worth it.

 

This is without doubt my favorite beer season! Mad Elf is at the top of the list, but so many great stouts, winter warmers, and spiced ales are out there right now its hard to not try them all. So far we have some aged 2xmas, and Ommegang Adoration to look forward to along with the likes of St. Nick Brewers Reserve from Penn, Dad from Rhinegeist, Dogfishhead Pennsylvania Tuxedo, Bells Black Note, Fat Head's Holly Jolly and a few others. Also looking forward to some Christmas Eve Beer Nog.

'Tis the season, Cheers!

 

I’m looking forward to that one too.

 

Stout, all the stout.

 

The first cans were canned mid September. I'm about to open my first of the season tonight.

 

I picked up my fave yesterday- Scaldis Noel. There's a nice richness to it, and none of the flavors are overdone; pretty seamless, really. It's pricey (around $22 a 4-pack) but worth it.

 

I didn’t realize I’d get such instant gratification. I think I miss last year’s version. I will try to age one of these though.

 

Not a huge fan of most christmas ales, but I did just set aside a Big Bad Baptist, Big Bad Baptista, and Triple Barrel Big Bad Baptist by Epic today so I am excited for those

Edit: they are BBA imp stouts with coffee, vanilla, peppers, etc

 

Bent River Jingle Java Stout. Coffee, vanilla, & rum....

 

not Christmas beer, but Founders Imperial Stout. still have a couple months to go though.

 

Great Divide's Hibernation is a yearly favorite, but the batch from this year is especially good. Probably as good as it has ever been, going back more than a decade.

 

Victory Winter Cheers. A hefeweizen isn't what you typically think of when you think Winter beer, but the fruit and spice combo works for me. And it's nice to have a lighter option to mix in with all of the heavier/stronger Winter seasonals.

 

Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas