Today’s pick is Christmas Ale from Colorado’s Breckenridge Brewery. They bring it home with a good old (new?) fashioned Strong Ale / Winter Warmer. This is Breckenridge’s most popular seasonal brew and it has a loyal following that eagerly awaits its appearance each year.

The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. Here it is. Breck Brew’s Christmas Ale. At over 7% alcohol, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, our holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire.

Any maybe it’s just me, but their label design has a strong Dickens ("A Christmas Carol") feel to it.

BeerAdvocate grade: B-. RateBeer score: 3.1/5, 51st percentile.