Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was published on this date in 1843, which tells the tale of misbegotten elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three spirits of Christmas, an experience which transforms him into a kinder, gentler man. What better beer to choose for today’s Advent reveal than a Scrooge-themed one? Hence we visit Washington’s Silver City Brewery for its annual favorite, Old Scrooge Christmas Ale.

It’s a malty, warming English-style barleywine with 8.5% alcohol by volume and 60 IBUs, and the brewery says:

Our take on the classic, English-style Barleywine. It’s a bit different than the American-style Barleywine, as it is more malt-forward, and less hop-forward.

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.

Old Scrooge is Silver City’s most award-winning beer, and each year the brewery also offers barrel-aged and vintage versions. It’s a beer that would even bring about old Ebenezer’s change of heart (“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.“), and it’s definitely one to share with friends and family.

Silver City Brewery opened 25 years ago, in 1996, and is located in Bremerton, across Puget Sound west of Seattle. Its beers have won numerous awards over the years and can be found distributed across the Pacific Northwest, including Hawaii and Alaska.

Find Silver City Brewery Old Scrooge Christmas Ale on:

• Untappd
• BeerAdvocate
• RateBeer
• Facebook

Image credits: Silver City’s website and Facebook page.