There were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and there was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of Cold Roast, and there was a great piece of Cold Boiled, and there were mince-pies, and plenty of beer.

On this day in 1843, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was first published. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, has been immortalized by Dickens in this introspective holiday tale, and there have been a number of Christmastime beers that have been named or inspired by Scrooge. For today’s Advent calendar pick, in honor of Ebenezer and A Christmas Carol, I’ve selected Silver City Brewery‘s Old Scrooge Christmas Ale.

Silver City is located in Bremerton, Washington, and they celebrated their 20th anniversary this year. Old Scrooge Christmas Ale is their annual Yuletide offering, an 8.5% ABV English-style Barleywine that is also offered up in barrel-aged variants on occasion. They say:

Intriguing notes of apple, cherry and apricot abound from the long boil time, cool fermentation and extended aging of this dark, malty ale. Celebrate this year’s release & save some for next, as this beer matures wonderfully when cellared.

If you’re feeling a bit Scrooge-y this year, be sure to find a bottle of Old Scrooge to lift your (three) spirits.

Find Silver City Old Scrooge Christmas Ale on:

• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
• RateBeer
• Facebook