Maritime Pacific Brewing Company opened in 1990 in Seattle, Washington’s Ballard district, adopting a seafaring theme as a salute to Seattle’s maritime history. In 1997 they opened the Jolly Roger Taproom named, as they say, “in honor of our most popular holiday brew”: Jolly Roger Christmas Ale. Appropriately the taproom is decked out in pirate flair; as for the beer:

The most eagerly anticipated of all our seasonals, Jolly is a truly original holiday brew combining rich malt character with a blend of fresh Northwest Chinook and Cascade hops. Official insignia for this English Strong Ale style is a smiling skull-and-cross-bones, reminder to all to enjoy their Jolly, but with discretion. Join Maritime’s salute to the high seas renegade! “Yo-Ho-Ho!”

At 9% alcohol this is a hefty holiday ale, sure to shiver yer timbers and sayin’ “avast” on Christmas morning! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

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