Favorite Christmas/ Winter Beers

[wonderbread23]

You suck!

I have some from last year still and have a clone attempt aging away as I type.

Yeah, its rough living up here. Once their new tap room opens I'll have to go get some from the source

 

[Brother Dun]

Just visited my local liquor store which allows mixing and matching 6-packs. Seems like a lot of the Christman/Winter beers are out. I got something called Troegs Mad Elf, Weyerbacher Winter Ale, and some other stuff. Looking forward to giving them a try. What are some people's favorites?

I live in Mechanicsburg (right outside of Harrisburg, where Troegs is located) and Mad Elf is one fine winter beer. I'm also originally from outside of Easton, where Weyerbacher is located. Another excellent winter beer. Excellent choices!

 

[alexdagrate]

A couple of years ago, a few buddies and I tried as many winter ales in one weekend as we could get our hands on. We also did three year vertical tastings of Jubelale and Celebration.

Favorite was the St. Bernadus. Three year aged Jubelale as probably second but the most enthusiastic.

Red Hook Winterhook was the surprise. We all typically hate Red Hook beers, but this one was quite drinkable.

My local favorite is probably Boundary Bay Cabin Fever. Ninkasi Sleigh'r is also becoming much-loved and is available in bottles for the first time this year.


One of our surprise least favorites was Anchor's Christmas Ale (this was in 2007, I've aged some bottles since then and it's gotten much better with age).

By far the worst beer I have ever tasted in my life is Anheiser Busch's fake craft beer Winter's Bourbon.

 

[bentonre]

Along the line of SE pennsylvania, I'd cast my vote for Rude Elf Reserve from Bethlehem Brew Works.

 

[RascalKing]

I just picked up some Pennsylvania Brewing Co. St. Nikolaus Bock. The one I drank was amazing, the other I'm putting in my collection. Batch #001

 

[bdleedahl]

i just bottled a winterfest ale kit from the Brew House, it has 7.5% alcohol and had a clear cinnamon and nutmeg flavor to it... should be good

 

[jmo88]

Maritime Jolly Roger. Eagerly awaited it hitting the shelves in Seattle.

Is it even coming out this year? Their taproom is closed and I've read that they moved a few blocks away. I couldn't find their new taproom. Maybe that explains why I can't find ANY Maritime brews in any store. If I'm wrong, I'd love to know where to get some. Oh yeah... Suppose it goes without saying thy jolly Roger is my favorite. I'm drinking a Dick's doulbe diamond right now that's good. Nice dried fruits with the loads of c120.

 

[mcmidc]

By far the worst beer I have ever tasted in my life is Anheiser Busch's fake craft beer Winter's Bourbon.

I agree one of the few beers I ended up dumping. Tried to get visitors to drink the rest of the six pack down over the course of six months. Needless to say no one ever wanted another, and most were dumped shortly after being opened.

 

[uechikid]

Pyramid Snow Cap and Full Sails Wassail are great. I look forward to having them all fall and I'm sad in the spring when they're gone.

 

[permo]

red hook winter hook is awesome in its simplicity, no spices, no frills. A strong, dark, well balanced, malt forward ale. Almost reminds of a stronger scotch ale.

New Belgium 2 below is great.

 

[khiddy]

A couple of years ago, a few buddies and I tried as many winter ales in one weekend as we could get our hands on...
Red Hook Winterhook was the surprise. We all typically hate Red Hook beers, but this one was quite drinkable.

The recipe for Red Hook Winterhook changes each year, and some years it's absolutely awesome, other years not so much. Early on in the brewery's history, the recipe one year had some Starbucks espresso in it, this was before either Red Hook or Starbucks were the large conglomerates they are today. That recipe was so popular that it became one of their standard recipes (well, "standard" in that 22oz bottles were available alongside their usual bottled sixpacks), Red Hook Double Black Stout. It was the most delightful of their beers, IMNSHO.

As far as a 2009 recipe, I've really enjoyed this year's Anchor Our Special Ale. I picked up a sixer each of the 2008 and the 2009 at a local shop, intending to do a vertical tasting, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

The 2009 Jubelale on tap is one of my favorite of the season. In the bottle, not so much - I get a metallic taste; but on tap, deliciousness.

I'm really looking forward to heading up to Seattle for my annual raid on Ballard stores to get the Maritime Pacific Jolly Roger. I've lost many a winter's night to that beer...

 

[Token]

Every year I have to get a least a sixer of Sam Adams Winter Lager. I just tried a New Belgium 2 Below. A new favorite!!