The Brew Site
Happy National Cocoa Day, the day that celebrates the hot cocoa beverage that’s a staple comfort drink this time of year! Hot cocoa with a bit of peppermint (or peppermint schnapps) makes for a delicious Christmas treat, so for today’s Advent beer pick I selected Grandma Van’s Candy Cane Stout … Continue reading
Located in the village of Watou in the province of West Flanders in Belgium, the Brouwerij St. Bernardus has been releasing beers under its own brand for nearly three decades; the brewery itself was founded on the site just after the second World War, originally brewing beers for the Trappist … Continue reading
Today’s Advent pick comes from Murphysboro in southern Illinois, through which the Big Muddy River lazily winds its way before joining up with the Mississippi River, and the Big Muddy Brewing Company, which has been crafting a variety of beers since 2009. Among the brewery’s offerings is its annual Winter … Continue reading
Hanukkah Sameach! Hanukkah begins today at sundown, and each year for the holiday I try to select a Hanukkah-themed beer to commemorate the Festival of Lights. This year, New York’s Shmaltz Brewing introduced its new Hanukkah Beer, featuring a new recipe for a Golden Jelly Doughnut Pastry Ale, which is … Continue reading
Today’s Advent selection takes us to Seattle, Washington, to a brewery with a maritime (and pirate) theme—the aptly named Maritime Pacific Brewing—and features its longstanding traditional holiday ale: Jolly Roger Christmas Ale. Jolly Roger is a behemoth of a beer, an English-style strong ale weighing in at 9.5% ABV which … Continue reading
In Germany and other German-speaking countries, Weihnachten is German for Christmas, and many celebrate the holiday throughout the Advent season which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. Naturally, many breweries produce a special Weihnachtsbier for the season as well. Located in Stuttgart, Germany, the Familienbrauerei Dinkelacker is no exception; … Continue reading
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, oranges were a Christmastime luxury and were often left in stockings as goodies along with nuts and candies. Particularly in colder climes, oranges were considered exotic treats unaffordable at other times of the year. Why is this relevant to today’s Beer Advent Calendar … Continue reading
December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day, the feast day in many western European countries celebrating Nicholas of Myra, from which “Santa Claus” is derived. As befitting a day dedicated to Santa Claus, today’s beer Advent pick is Doggie Claws, from Portland, Oregon-based Hair of the Dog Brewing. Doggie Claws is … Continue reading
Tonight is Krampus Night, which in central European folklore celebrates Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas who punished children who misbehave. Krampusnacht occurs on the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6, during which Krampus appears on the street to dispense coal and bundles of birch branches. As … Continue reading
No discussion of Christmas beer is complete without talking about Belgian Christmas beers. The Belgians are not shy about brewing rich beers with a variety of spices as end-of-the-year specialties, and arguably our modern notion of “Christmas beer” can be credited to the breweries of Belgium. I always include some … Continue reading