In a tip of the hat to the start of Hanukkah, I picked He’Brew Monumental Jewbelation. This is a limited edition, tenth anniversary version of their Jewbelation seasonal, with 10% alcohol. And, the number ten is represented abundantly in this beer: 10 different malts used, 10 hops in 10 additions … Continue reading

This sounds good, which is why I picked it for today: Young’s Christmas Pudding Ale. Their own website speaks highly of it: If you are seeking a feisty ale to accompany the season’s festivities, look no further than Young’s Christmas Pudding Ale. It’s so magnificent and merry making that you … Continue reading

Today I went with one that may not seem all that holiday-themed: Brooklyn Brewery‘s Monster Ale. This is a vintaged, limited edition barleywine that makes its appearance during the winter months. I also like the bottle design; it reminds me of a Christmas tree ornament, all glittery silver with green. … Continue reading

What is there to say about Samichlaus Bier that hasn’t already been said? It was my final advent calendar pick last year, and I’m not sure you could include a list of Christmas beers without mentioning Samichlaus. Nevertheless, for me this is the King of Christmas Beers. Rolling in at … Continue reading

Today’s beer comes from this glowing recommendation from Hedonist Beer Jive: 21st Amendment‘s Holiday Spiced Ale. You’ll only be able to pick up this beer in San Francisco, though; they have it on draft and in 22-ounce bottles to go. Their description: Our special holiday offering is sure to brighten … Continue reading

Via this blog, I got a kick of this picture of a "real" beer advent calendar. I like how the numbers are all in random order…

Today’s pick is Full Sail‘s "Brewmaster’s Reserve" offering, with a gimmicky name that I get a kick out of: Wreck the Halls. It’s a big hoppy IPA and while not spicy or extra-strong or fruity like a lot of the other seasonal offerings, you’ll be glad to find this under … Continue reading

Today’s pick is Père Noël from Brouwerij De Ranke in Belgium. There’s not much on their website, but I found this description on Liquid Solutions: Cloudy and light orange in color with a big persistent head. Spicy, grassy aroma. Sweet malt flavor with some peppery spiciness. Finishes with a fruity, … Continue reading

Today my pick is the Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Company, a "holiday ale brewed with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon." Nicely moderate in alcohol (7.5%—compared to some of these picks, anyway!), this beer has won two gold medals and one silver at the World Beer … Continue reading

Scaldis Noël is known in Belgium proper as Bush de Noël. Brewed by Brasserie Dubuisson, this beer is an astounding 12% alcohol. It’s a limited edition beer, and the site says, This is a sweet beer with a pleasant flavour of hops. Indeed, for Bush de Noël, the brewer uses … Continue reading