Hood River’s Double Mountain Brewery is once again releasing its Fa La La La La Winter Ale in six-packs for 2021, and this week the brewery sent me a bottle along with the release. Fa La La La La is a hoppy, malty red ale brewed with Centennial hops, and is a Northwest classic (and often considered a winter IPA).

Here’s the press release:

With winter right around the corner, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery is bringing back the seasonal favorite, Fa La La La La Winter Ale, again in six-packs! Not every winter beer needs to be dark. In this spirit, we bring you great tidings of joy with this year’s Fa La La La La. Bags full of Centennial hops give a delicious citrus and resinous hop character. Pilsner and Crystal malts provide the base for this one-horse open sleigh and the body has enough weight to warm chilled bones after a day out in the cold. Available at our Hood River Taproom, SE Portland Taproom in the Woodstock neighborhood, and throughout the Northwest.

FA LA LA LA LA WINTER ALE 7.5% ABV 85 BU
Description
Centennial hops take the reins with evergreen and juicy, ripe citrus, and a resounding chorus of Pilsner and Crystal malts echo the refrain. This IPA is full of love, goodwill, and is as crisp as a bluebird winter morning. Peace, love, and beers!

“Well Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of yum! What can possibly go wrong with Centennials that smell this good? It’s got a well balanced pop, and sings with fruited evergreen.” Matt Coughlin, Lead Brewer

Yes, it’s that time to be thinking about winter and Christmas beers to start stocking up. I’ll have notes about Fa La La La La as the season goes on.