From Winter Warmers to spiced specialties to IPAs to strong Belgian ales, Christmas beers are offered up in a variety of styles to celebrate the holidays, and sometimes nothing is more comforting that a big, old-school, malty, warming barleywine: the perfect Christmas Eve tipple by the fire, after the meal is over and presents are out and you’re waiting for Santa Claus.

In that vein today’s pick is Doggie Claws, an 11.5% abv Christmas barleywine from one of Oregon’s most respected breweries, Hair of the Dog. From the label:

Doggie Claws is made with Organic Pilsner and British Crystal malts. I use Simcoe and Amarillo hops along with dark wild flower honey collected on Mt. Hood. The beer is ready to drink now but will improve with age. Happy Holidays from the curs at Hair of the Dog.

A snifter of Doggie Claws paired with gingersnap cookies (or sugar plums) would make an excellent late-night Christmas Eve offering to Santa!

Untappd. Facebook. BeerAdvocate: 93/100. RateBeer: 4.01/5, 100th percentile.