Today to commemorate the first day of Hanukkah (which begins at sunset) I have picked not one but two Hanukkah beers (the only two that I’m aware of, in fact): Shmaltz Brewing’s Jewbelation 15, and Lompoc Brewing’s 8 Malty Nights. Picking the two of them together was actually inspired by the teaming up of both breweries in Portland earlier this month for “The Ultimate Chanukah Beer Release” of these two beers so it seemed fitting to do the same here.

Jewbelation 15 is the 15th anniversary powerhouse of an ale from Shmaltz (of San Francisco and New York), and “15”s abound: 15 malts used, 15 hop varieties over 15 additions, and 15% alcohol by volume.

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: 87/100. RateBeer: 3.87/5.

8 Malty Nights is a Chocolate Rye Porter from Lompoc of Portland (Oregon), a 6.5% abv beer that (in the past at least) has been aged in bourbon barrels. It’s Portland’s first (and only) Hanukkah beer.

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: 85/100 (approx). RateBeer: 3.75/5.

L’Chaim!