Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah begins today at sunset, and each year I like to feature a Hanukkah themed beer on the Advent calendar if possible to commemorate the start of the holiday. Unfortunately there are not many Hanukkah beers available but one brewery in Portland, Oregon, Leikam Brewing, does in fact have one: Maccabeer, a certified kosher winter IPA.

This Winter IPA will generate funds to support the House That Beer Built, a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East and local craft breweries. Together, we’re celebrating the strength and creativity of Portland’s community-minded craft beer industry while funding affordable homeownership opportunities in Portland.

Often mislabeled as the Jewish Christmas, Chanukah is an eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication”. In the second century BCE, the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), tried to force the Jews to accept Greek culture and beliefs and destroyed the Holy Temple. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated the Greeks and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This year Chanukah begins Sunday, December 22nd at sundown.

Leikam was established in 2014 and is a certified kosher brewery and supports the community by donating a portion of its profits to a number of local non-profit organizations. Maccabeer is brewed in that vein with the spirit giving for the holidays. With 6.3% ABV and 60 IBUs, it remains an ideal beer to open up for all eight nights of Hanukkah.

Cheers and Hanukkah Sameach!

Find Leikam Brewing Maccabeer on:

• Untappd
• Facebook

Image credit: Leikam’s Facebook page