For today’s beer pick we visit New England and a brewery with arguably one of the best names ever: Gritty McDuff’s. Gritty’s was founded in 1988 as a brewpub in Portland, Maine, (the first brewpub in Maine since Prohibition) and since then has expanded to two other locations, Freeport and Lewiston/Auburn.

Among other seasonal specialties they of course brew their eponymous Christmas Ale.

Our Christmas Ale is a robust E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) full of holiday cheer. Christmas Ale has a lovely, dark red/amber color and a rich, full-bodied, malty taste with a slightly roasted undertone. We brew our Christmas Ale to an original gravity of 1064 (about 6.2% alcohol by volume) using only the finest English Pale and Crystal Malts, with a touch of Roasted Barley as well. A blend of Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Saaz and Yakima Goldings leaf hops round out this hearty brew. Gritty’s Christmas Ale has no additives, fruits or spices. It’s just a good honest ale, perfect for the season.

Gritty’s Christmas Ale is a solid, drinkable beer fit for a picturesque New England Christmas, one you’d want to pair with a roast goose and sugar plums (a là “The Night Before Christmas”).

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