12 Beers of Christmas - 2023 Edition

[Beekeeper]

They were the 2 that withdrew.

Final list was posted later in the thread.

@tdf picked up the Spiced Bourbon Stout, replacing @ BAF.
@ jerbrew dropped, so no Fruitcake Old Ale. 11 beers total.

 

[mjdonnelly68]

@tdf picked up the Spiced Bourbon Stout, replacing @ BAF.
@ jerbrew dropped, so no Fruitcake Old Ale. 11 beers total.

Sorry - my bad. I thought someone had stepped in last minute to fill us out.

How's this list?

Date	Beer	Brewer
12/15/23	Abbey Weizen	@Beekeeper
12/16/23	Spiced Cherry Dubbel	@kwilson16
12/17/23	Juniper Rye Bock	@shetc
12/18/23	Spiced Dunkle Weizenbock	@mjdonnelly68
12/19/23	Spiced Bourbon Stout	@tdf
12/20/23	Gingerbread Ale	@Rish
12/21/23	Honey Ginger IPA	@thetick
12/22/23	Caramel Quadruple	@4_Sons_Brewing
12/23/23	Saffron Triple	@GoodTimeCharlie
12/24/23	Cranberry Lambicky Ale	@JAReeves
12/25/23	Christmas Gruit	@passedpawn

 

[mjdonnelly68]

er... I hope I didn't screw up here, but I did not send beers to jerbrew and BAF. They were not on the list of addresses I got. I have extra bottles, so I COULD, but I'd need their addresses.

Sorry for the scare. Lists are hard.

 

[tdf]

@JAReeves I got your package today. All 4 arrived safely and I am definitely looking forward to trying the cider too! Thanks!

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

@GoodTimeCharlie i got your package last night. All intact and tucked away in the beer fridge!

 

[Beekeeper]

@4_Sons_Brewing Another delivery, safe and sound. Thanks!

 

[thetick]

Got the Tripel and the Lambic today. Thanks, @GoodTimeCharlie and @JAReeves. And thanks for the cider, too!

I also tried the Porter and Raspberry Ale bonus beers the other day. Both were delicious! Thanks @tdf and @mjdonnelly68!

 

[tdf]

@GoodTimeCharlie the Tripel arrived today.Thanks!

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Day 1 - The Abby weizen pours a yellow-golden color, slightly hazy, with a thick white head that is long lasting. Grainy malt flavor, hop bitterness is low, hop flavor low and floral, some citrus notes on the finish, a very low clove note as well. Mouthfeel is medium body with a dry finish. Very good beer, @Beekeeper!

PS Looks like I started early

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

If my tasting notes are uncool, please let me know.

Also, as we work through each beer, should the brewer share his recipe?

 

[tdf]

If my tasting notes are uncool, please let me know.

Also, as we work through each beer, should the brewer share his recipe?

I love the tasting notes, anyone who wants to should definitely do the same!

I'll put the recipe for the bourbon stout together this evening.

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

Yummy bonus beer @tdf!

 

[tdf]

Yummy bonus beer @tdf!

View attachment 836543

That one is actually from @mjdonnelly68. Glad to hear it's good because I have one to drink too!

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

That one is actually from @mjdonnelly68. Glad to hear it's good because I have one to drink too!

OMG, I saw it in your picture, and made the wrong association Xmas PTO can not come too soon. Good job, @mjdonnelly68 !

 

[Rish]

SA Winter Lager. Pretty, tasty.

 

[4_Sons_Brewing]

@JAReeves received your beer today. I’ll break out the beer of the day after dinner this evening.

 

[mjdonnelly68]

Yummy bonus beer @tdf!

View attachment 836543

Glad you enjoyed it, whoever the hell made it!

 

[mjdonnelly68]

View attachment 836526
Day 1 - The Abby weizen pours a yellow-golden color, slightly hazy, with a thick white head that is long lasting. Grainy malt flavor, hop bitterness is low, hop flavor low and floral, some citrus notes on the finish, a very low clove note as well. Mouthfeel is medium body with a dry finish. Very good beer, @Beekeeper!

PS Looks like I started early

That looks delicious.

 

[Beekeeper]

If my tasting notes are uncool, please let me know.

Also, as we work through each beer, should the brewer share his recipe?

For my take on Randy M's Abbey Weizen, see post #154 of this thread.

 

[JAReeves]

Abbey Weizen! Aroma is lightly tart, not lemon peel, but maybe yuzu. A little funk in the trunk . A little tart on the tongue, a little spice, some esters and floral elements that add an almost confusing complexity to the palate, but nothing that stands out as unpleasant or off; it's a puzzle that my brain wants to solve by drinking more. Beautiful straw color, like a Budweiser; woe betide the fool who thinks it tastes anything like a BMC, they shall be slapped by real beer flavors. Well done!

 

[passedpawn]

I look at those light delicate beers and feel ashamed at the christmas spice bomb I sent out yesterday

 

[passedpawn]

Well, here we go. I'm starting with the xtra's that were included. Good stuff. I have them all mixed up now, but I'll have to guess (?) that the Kolsch here is from @JAReeves or @tdf.

 

[JAReeves]

Well, here we go. I'm starting with the xtra's that were included. Good stuff. I have them all mixed up now, but I'll have to guess (?) that the Kolsch here is from @JAReeves or @tdf.

I sent a barrel-aged blackberry cider not a kolsch as an extra.

 

[passedpawn]

And this delicious porter probably came from Rish. Thanks guys, they were excellent as I kegged tonight.

 

[Rish]

SA Winter Lager. Pretty, tasty.
View attachment 836544

Wrong d*** thread so early in the drinking!

 

[mjdonnelly68]

If my tasting notes are uncool, please let me know.

Also, as we work through each beer, should the brewer share his recipe?

I think the tasting notes are great and will try to keep up as I dig in starting tonight.

 

[GoodTimeCharlie]

Hey @GoodTimeCharlie - no need to have the blues, your beers all arrived in great shape. Really like your label work too - I'm going to have to up my game.

View attachment 836396

Thanks. Used AI for source imagery. Hopefully the beer doesn’t suck.

 

[GoodTimeCharlie]

So the time to start the tasting is sneaking up on us. I know we have a couple three beers still in transit, but I thought we could throw those towards the end to allow them time to arrive. At the risk of stepping on toes, here's a suggested order for the tasting.

Date	Beer	Brewer
12/14/23	Abbey Weizen	@Beekeeper
12/15/23	Spiced Cherry Dubbel	@kwilson16
12/16/23	Juniper Rye Bock	@shetc
12/17/23	Spiced Dunkle Weizenbock	@mjdonnelly68
12/18/23	Spiced Bourbon Stout	@BAF
12/19/23	Gingerbread Ale	@Rish
12/20/23	Honey Ginger IPA	@thetick
12/21/23	Caramel Quadruple	@4_Sons_Brewing
12/22/23	Saffron Triple	@GoodTimeCharlie
12/23/23	Cranberry Lambicky Ale	@JAReeves
12/24/23	Fruitcake Old Ale	@jerbrew
12/25/23	Christmas Gruit	@passedpawn

I hope the above works for the group. Alternatively we could go with the traditional 12 Days of Christmas (Dec 25th to Jan 5th) - but I for one am chomping at the bit and ready to quaff.

Missed this thread but will do my best to catch up responsibly.

I’m taking 1 set to my homebrew club’s holiday party tomorrow.

 

[Beekeeper]

@passedpawn UPS safely delivered your Spice Cabinet Gruit just now.

Watching for Crabapple Lambicky to complete my Christmas collection.

 

[Rish]

@passedpawn , Gruit made it in good shape! Looking forward to trying this.