In many Old World European countries, particularly the Germanic ones, December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day, celebrating the Christian feast day and overnight arrival of St. Nicholas who leaves toys and treats for children. This is of course the root of the Santa Claus tradition here in America, but even so there are a number of areas around the country that celebrate St. Nicholas Day on the 6th, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh happens to be the home of Penn Brewery, which brews its seasonal St. Nikolaus Bock to commemorate the occasion, which is today’s Advent beer pick.

Penn’s standard St. Nik is a winter bock that weighs in at 6.5% alcohol by volume, but the brewery also produces a Brewers’ Reserve edition which 9% ABV. The brewery says:

Our Holiday/European-style Bock beer. A very rich, strong, malty lager, dark ruby in color with notes of chocolate and roasted malts. Our St. Nik Brewers’ Reserve version has a higher ABV of 9% and holds a silver medal from the 2011 Great American Beer Festival®.

Either version would be a welcome addition to St. Nicholas Day, bringing hearty and rich malts and a warming glow to the holiday.

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