A few Excellent “Old School” Holiday Beers
It’s that time of year when the weather cools and we move indoors to keep warm. While many craft breweries over the years enjoy spicing up their brews with holiday flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, other older school breweries have always seen this time of year to amp up the ABV on their holiday brews to help warm our bones up a bit during the biting winters.
Below are a few house favorites at Carolina Beer Temple. These aren’t chock full of special holiday spices, they are designed to offer a slight spin off of some old-time classics, while typically amping up their ABV just bit to help keep us warm in the winter season.
What are you bringing to the Holiday party?
Corsendonk Christmas Ale | Belgium
8.1% ABV | This deep red-brown beer is made from roasted special malts, the finest hops and selected yeasts and seasoned with a hint of coriander. If you like Corsendonk’s Dubbel, which is available year-round, the Christmas Ale is its even tastier brother!
Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA | USA
6.8% ABV | Brewed with fresh Cascade and Centennial hops shortly after they are harvested. Offers enticing citrus, pine and floral notes from hops selected at their absolute peak! If you like any of Sierra Nevada’s IPAs, this is just a heartier, fresh hop version that is hard to resist.
Celebration IPA: The Winter Holiday Beer - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
St. Bernardus Christmas Ale | Belgium
9.8% ABV | A dark seasonal beer full of wintery character. Dark brown color topped off with a cream-colored layer of froth, certain to warm your winter bones! For fans of St. Bernardus ABT 12, the St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is a zestier paternal twin!
St.Bernardus Christmas Ale | Our beers | Brewery | St.Bernardus (sintbernardus.be)
Very Bad Elf | U.K.
7.5% ABV | Very bad Elf is one is a series of “Elf” beers from the brewers at Ridgeway Brewery in England. All the beers in the series are worthy of mention, but this one is the favorite. Dark and tasty – goes down like a strong ale. Brewed with Fuggles hops, it has a rounded bitterness and is delightfully drinkable!
Einbecker Winter Bock | Germany
7.5% ABV | A winter treat from Germany! Reddish-dark copper color with a rich, malty body. Full bodied, sweet and slightly nutty flavor. If you like Doppelbocks, you’ll love this winter warmer!
Cheers & Happy Holidays!
Author: Rob Jacik