Good Winter Beers With Some Wicked Names
No more Lump of Coal. The supply has run out of this English stout that I touted last week as a good holiday gift. This news comes from the folks at DOPS Inc., the local distributor of the beer.
If you are looking for a backup holiday brew to give as a gift, three local brews -- Snow Goose Winter Ale, Clay Pipe's Pursuit of Happiness Winter Warmer Ale and Clipper City Winter Storm, which finished on the top of our winter beer tasting -- are still available. Their names are straighforward.
If you want a holiday beer with a wicked name, try the “Bad Elf” line of beers, made by Ridgeway Brewing, the same folks who gave us Lump of Coal. Those beers are Seriously Bad Elf, Criminally Bad Elf, Very Bad Elf and plain old Bad Elf.
Two years ago the state of Connecticut tried to ban the sales of Seriously Bad Elf, contending that the label, which showed an elf with a slingshot firing Christmas ornaments at Santa’s sleigh, might entice children to buy the beer. The state quickly reversed itself, and the beer showed up in Christmas stockings.
Any other nominations for drinkable beers with funny names (not counting profanity or sexual language) that make good holiday presents?
Comments
Cropton's "Rudolphs Revenge",
Not sure if Ridgeway still has these two:
Ridgeway's "Santa's Butt" Porter
Ridgeway's "Warm Welcome", Nut Browned Ale, which depicts Santa coming down a firelit chimney feet first, Ouch!!
The ubiquitous Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, okay not such a bad name, but still holds it own. BTW, Anchor Christmas is pretty nice this year and makes a great ageable present in it's Magnum bottle. Also, how about Troegs Mad Elf. And although it's not exactly a holiday beer, one of my favorite yearly offerings is Oliver's "Hot Monkey Love"
Posted by: Dominic Cantalupo | December 10, 2007 9:46 PM
How about the Belgian Delirium Tremens, the beer with the pink elephant on the label? Of course, you might want to think twice about giving this to someone who has an alcoholic (recovering or not) in the family.
Posted by: Ken | December 11, 2007 7:33 AM
There's Mad Bitch & Arrogant Bastard -both good choices & names of beers.
Posted by: laura | December 11, 2007 9:14 AM
Some years back, Bethlehem Brew Works (see, just the name alone invites Xmas shenanigans) in Pennsylvania tried to make a Rudolph's Revenge, but got nixed by the same label police that was giving Shelton Bros. trouble over Seriously Bad Elf (but they said nothing about Santa's Butt--go figure). So, in a twisted satire, they changed the name/label to Rude Elf's Revenge--and that got by. I still have a bottle from two years ago somewhere in my mess.
It seems if you have an interest, you may be able to find a beer named after it, somewhere and somehow. I gave the track repair gang at the Balto. Streetcar Museum a couple bottles of Erie's Railbender Ale as they were, indeed, bending rail; and for one brief shining moment we were able to get Wynkoop's Light Rail Ale from Denver--which should have been popular with MTA's light rail crews after hours. A magician friend of mine got a case of Scotland's Merlin's Ale to give out to fellow magicians this season. I doubt anyone has the guts to give out Rogue's Dead Guy Ale at a funeral........
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | December 11, 2007 10:47 AM
I'm with Dominic. DT is a great option, and let's not forget Delirium Noel, also by Family Huyghe and featuring said pink elephant on the label in a Santa suit. Very festive.
And better yet ... why not grab a growler and head over to Brewer's Art and fill it up with St. Festivus?
Speaking of Brewer's Art, I'm always on the lookout for bars with BA beer on tap (other than BA itself of course). Racer's Cafe has had Resurrection for a long time, and now the newly opened and wonderful Annabel Lee in Canton has Resurrection on tap.
Posted by: Heather | December 11, 2007 3:57 PM
Flying Dog's winter beer is called K-9 Cruiser. Not that funny, but it is pretty good.
Also, Alexander was right on about how good Wynkoop's brews are. If you're ever in Denver, stopping in for a bite & a beer is a must!
Posted by: Rick | December 11, 2007 4:34 PM
There's also the line of beers brewed by He'Brew (the chosen beer):
Genesis Beer (Our First Creation)
Messiah Bold (the one you've been waiting for)
Jewbelation (their anniversary ale)
Posted by: Harvey Morrell | December 11, 2007 4:37 PM
Heather: I've seen more and more city bars featuring Brewer's Art selections on tap recently. The Red Star on Wolfe St was the most recent that I've been to. Max's on Broadway has had BA beers for years now.
Posted by: Greg S | December 18, 2007 2:54 PM