For today’s Beer Advent Calendar pick, I selected the Great American Beer Festival “Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year” winner, Port City Brewing out of Alexandria, Virginia. Their “not your typical” holiday ale is a Belgian-style blonde ale named Tidings Ale.

Tidings Ale is a strong and spicy Belgian style blond ale brewed with local Maryland wildflower honey and Virginia wheat.

These special ingredients store away the flavor and essence of summer, and later warm us during the cold winter months. It is gently spiced with coriander, cardamom, fresh ginger and grains of paradise.

Of course with a name like “Tidings” I can’t help but have Christmas carols on the brain; “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” among them. And this beer, with emphasis on local ingredients, definitely sounds like it brings the tidings of comfort and joy to your holiday evenings.

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