the 12 best winter brews

[GregR]

I found this and I've tried a few (OK probably just 2) but it seemed like a pretty decent list. might have to go hunt some of these down

Winter Beers -- 12 of the Tastiest, Most Potent Seasonal Brews - Asylum | Men's Lifestyle | Humor, weird news, sex tips, fashion, dating, food and gadgets

 

[nukebrewer]

My favorite winter beer is Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome. The only beer from that list I have tried is the SN Celebration and it was pretty good too.

 

[grammatron]

Of the ones on that list, I've only had three, the Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout (very good), the Sierra Nevada Celebration (good), and the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (fantastic).

My favorite winter warmer is the Sweetwater Festive Ale, though that Brooklyn Black Chocolate is up there too.

 

[craigd]

I have a bottle of the Delirium Noel in my fridge waiting for Christmas. It's on tap at my local bar believe it or not (along with 2 other Belgians...) Not bad for a place with only 18 taps! I also have a St Bernardus 12 waiting next to it. Belgians are the perfect winter brews in my opinion - the warming effect and the spicy character just works.

 

[SkinnyShamrock]

I've only had the Sierra Nevada. I keep hearing stuff about the Delirium...I have to try to score a bottle of that. I know where I can get single bottles of Samuel Smith's and Brooklyn Brewing's stuff...have to check them out too.

 

[Pelikan]

Out of that list, I've only tried the Sammy Smith. It's a good benchmark, but I had their winter/Christmas ale recently (cant remember exactly what it was called)...and let's just say the package was much more exciting when compared to the contents.

That Hook-Norton looks really interesting. I'll have to keep that in the back of my mind, should I ever see anything by them come up.

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

I would have to put the Anchor Christmas Ale in there for sure...it's just a staple around Christmas time for me. Also, a new favorite I just tried this year is the Lagunitas Brown Shugga'...and it's downright tasty. But, with so many winter brews out there I realize it's hard to come up with just 12.

 

[Sucram]

I find it strange that Jubeale isn't on the list. In my opinion, it's way better than wassial and is a something I look forward to every year.

 

[GAbrewer]

I've tried and like several of the suggestions on that list, but Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is by far my favorite. Currently it's my favorite beer ever, as a matter of fact. I'm hoping I can eventually brew something as good as or better, but I'm not quite there yet.

 

[wild]

I have the Abyss in my fridge to enjoy for xmas along with an SA Chocolate Bock to bring the ladies in the family closer to beer. I've had most of those except the Brooklyn (we don't get that out here) but I did manage to brew one and it tasted excellent. I do have the recipe for Still Nacht to try some day.

 

[grammatron]

I've tried and like several of the suggestions on that list, but Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is by far my favorite. Currently it's my favorite beer ever, as a matter of fact. I'm hoping I can eventually brew something as good as ot better, but I'm not quite there yet.

I've got a stout bottle conditioning right now that was based on a Brooklyn clone recipe, though I fiddled with it a good bit and knocked the abv down, so it doesn't really taste anything like it now. But there are definitely recipes out there!

 

[Couldbebrewing]

Of the ones on that list, I've only had three, the Sam Smith Oatmeal Stout (very good), the Sierra Nevada Celebration (good), and the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (fantastic).

My favorite winter warmer is the Sweetwater Festive Ale, though that Brooklyn Black Chocolate is up there too.

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is no joke. Bought it last year and it served me well.

Also the Sweetwater festive is excellent. My friend was a volunteer that helped to bottle them and they gave him two free bottles.

 

[humann_brewing]

Those are some good beers even though I have not had them all. I would also add the Jolly Roger Christmas Ale

 

[brewt00l]

Don Russell, who writes as "joe six pack" for the Phila Inquirer, has a recently released book out on Christmas brews and was featured on NPR this morning:

Joe Sixpack - Reporting and drinking beer in Philly and beyond

Christmas Beer
The Cheeriest, Tastiest

and Most Unusual Holiday Brews

By Don Russell (a/k/a Joe Sixpack)

It's the first ever book devoted to your favorite seasonal beers. Christmas beer, winter warmers, holiday ales - take the chill off with this fun, in-depth look at the history, traditions and flavors.

 

[Saccharomyces]

I have a bottle of the Delirium Noel for tomorrow. Celebration is a great IPA, I bought a case at Costco. I also like the Wassail but I wouldn't put it at the top of my list.

I haven't had the Abyss yet, I think it's on tap locally. If I run across it I'll be sure to give it a try. The Brooklyn Chocolate Stout I don't think we can get in Texas, at least I haven't seen it. I should have bought a bottle at the brewery, I keep hearing everyone raving about how good it is and it was even featured on the beer episode of Iron Chef.

My favorite is Avery's Old Jubilation.

 

[DtownRiot]

its a shame that troegs mad elf didn't get on there

 

[brewt00l]

its a shame that troegs mad elf didn't get on there

Judging from the domestic brews on their list, they prb are not in an area that the Elf is distributed in.

 

[Pelikan]

Well, I just received an early X-mas gift:

A 22oz of Port Brewing's Santa's Little Helper. I figure it will be an appropriate way to finish off a Christmas Eve, especially at 10.5%.

Update: SLH was some awesome stuff.

Update #2: Here it is X-mas day, and I was just gifted a 6-pack of Dogfishhead Chicory Stout (a December/January seasonal). I'll be giving that one a tasting later!