Tis the season to sip holiday beers
As is our custom at this time of year, a tasting panel composed of members of the local beery media including me, have picked our favorite winter beers.
,
The full listing of our favorites, culled from 60 entries, will appear in my column in tomorrow's edition of The Sun and at baltimoresun.com. It will also list the distributors of these beers and their phone numbers so thirsty holiday beer drinkers can track the brews down.
If I were forced to pick a few of these beers to sip during the Thanksgiving marathon feast, I would start with Clay Pipe Pursuit of Happiness Winter Warmer with appetizers. Then I'd pour the Allagash Grand Cru with the bird, and bring out the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout for naps by the fire.
Any other suggestions for Thanksgiving beers?
By the way, have a good feast.
Comments
you have to go with Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - best part of the holidays
Posted by: ed | November 25, 2008 9:40 AM
For Thanksgiving I am going to have Weyerbacher Autumnfest and Harpoon Oktoberfest.
I have tried about 10 holiday beers so far this year.
My favorites so far are, Magic Hat Roxy Rolles, Clay Pipe Pursuit of Happiness, Weyerbacher Winter Ale.
I've also enjoyed the Wild Good Snow Goose, Heavy Seas Winter Storm, Southern Tier Old Man Winter, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Smutty Nose Winter, and one more (which I can't think of).
And I am saving the annual Anchor Christmas for Christmas eve.
There hasn't been one that I wouldn't try again.
Posted by: C Double | November 25, 2008 9:44 AM
Came across this excellent blog post regarding Thanksgiving beers that you and your readers will enjoy. Some similar choices for during and after dinner.
http://scribbleskiff.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/giving-thanks-with-and-for-beer/
Posted by: Brian | November 25, 2008 11:51 AM
I tried the Sierra Nevada 2008 Celebration and really liked it. I am not a big fan of the spiced holiday beers but really enjoy hops. This beer did it for me.
Posted by: SHJ | November 25, 2008 2:50 PM
The usual suspects Heavy Seas Winter Storm, SN Celebration, Troegs Mad Elf. I really enjoyed Southern Tier Old Man Winter this year.
Posted by: Ken | November 26, 2008 8:43 AM
If anyone gets a chance to try a Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale, I highly, highly recommend it.
I fell in love with it while going to school in Ohio. I now stock up on 8-10 cases anytime I'm in the state around the holidays.
Easily the best seasonal beer I've ever had.
Posted by: ak | November 26, 2008 9:33 AM
Rob:
Were there any beers that were left off your list that surprised you that you didn't select?
Posted by: Matt | November 26, 2008 8:09 PM
The spiciness of Mad Elf will surely put you in the holiday spirit!
Posted by: Dean | November 30, 2008 10:27 AM