The Advent beer pick for today comes from Colorado’s Upslope Brewing and their line of colorful and handsome canned beers—including one that evokes both candy canes and Christmas gift wrap: Christmas Ale. This holiday offering is 8.2% alcohol by volume and is brewed with “holiday spices,” though just which ones are not mentioned.

In true Christmas fashion, Upslope’s Christmas Ale pours a deep ruby red with an off-white headstand that laces the glass with each sip. A blend of holiday spices and dark dried fruit creates a distinctive holiday aroma, complemented by spicy notes from the Abbey Ale Yeast. The 8.2% ABV Christmas Ale is characterized by a medium body and a rich malt profile.

“The recipe for this beer is based upon an old homebrew recipe of mine that I used to take to holiday parties,” says Upslope Founder, Matt Cutter. “In 2009, the brewery adopted it as our holiday Limited Release, ‘Christmas Ale.’ It’s a spiced holiday ale brewed with Abbey Ale Yeast that’s sure to keep drinkers plenty warm through the holiday season.”

The Abbey Ale yeast also sets this beer apart, bringing something of a Belgian Christmas sensibility to American holiday revelry. Cheers!

Find Upslope Christmas Ale on:

• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
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