Forget Champagne, Ring in the New Year with Beer

New Years Eve will be here before you know it, and family and friends will be celebrating the beginning of 2009 with fireworks, “Auld Lang Syne” and of course BEER!

According to a new study by Four Points by Sheraton, 80% of people entertaining this year ranked beer as their number one beverage of choice beating out champange and wine from the traditional top spots.

Here are the Brewers Association’s suggestions for show stopping bottle conditioned beers to try this New Years Eve, complete with suggested food pairings. Who needs champagne anyway!

	Interlude– Flavors such as flavors pear, apricot, graham cracker, and bread crust appear in this French Merlot and Sirah oak barrel aged beer.
	Suggested parings: sausages, salami, smoked meats, and bold cheeses
	Calabaza Blanca– Spiced with orange peel and corriander, Calabaza Blanca is refreshingly tart, with a wonderfully dry finish
	Suggested pairings: poultry, fish and shellfish
	Local 1– Barley, malt and hops from Germany, aromatic raw sugar from Mauritius and yeast from Belgium are combined to make this Stong Golden Ale.
	Suggested pairings: spicey seafood and fine cheeses
	Three Philosophers– this beer provides a powerful marriage of cherries, roasted malts, and dark chocolate
	Suggested pairings: a delightful accompaniment for roasted meats, rich cheeses, desserts, and for after dinner sipping as with a fine port.
	St. Nicholas’ Knicker Dropper Glory– strong, warming winter ale. Caramelized malt and spices.
	Suggested parings: minced pies