The Perfect Non-Holiday Beers for The Holidays
There nothing worse than showing up at a holiday party with a 6-pack that nobody wants to drink. Holiday spiced and themed beers might be fun for a minute, but those novelty beverages get a bit tiresome. Beers that work great for the holidays are ones that are just great beers. Classic flavors pair well with food as well as they do a celebration. If you’re looking to impress family and friends by bringing a holiday beer, stop a minute and think about bringing one of these.
Orval
Like a great wine, Orval ages quite well. A little time in the bottle allows the Brettanomyces to build a bit more funk and complexity. If you can’t find an aged bottle, no worries, drink it fresh and enjoy the bright flavors and nice hop punch. The carbonation level gives it a sparkle and the head refuses to leave this beer, slow pours are a must. Orval is one of those beers that I love, but just don’t drink enough. It’s fancy, and if your looking for a champagne alternative, this beer is perfect for your next holiday toast.
Myrcenary is 9.3% ABV DIPA and a great choice to relax with during the hectic holiday season. This beer blends both tropical and floral hops that work all the way through the malty finish. Not a casual beer to be rushed through, better enjoyed when you have a few minutes to savor. When the holiday crowd gets a bit much, find yourself a quiet corner and crack open one of these. There are a plethora hoppy beers to pick from, but if you see this one, do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Firestone Walker Anniversary
The current version is XXII and was released at the beginning of November. This anniversary beer is a blend of barrel-aged beers, with the final blend being determined by a competition between local winemakers and other artisans. This year’s blend includes; 44% Sticker Monkee, 22% Parabola, 22% Bravo, 7% Helldorado Rum Barrel and 5% Helldorado Gin Barrel. This 12.7 ABV beer is always an instant classic. Grab a few snifters and a few friends and relax with this one. A great beer to wind down with after a busy day of holiday shopping or entertaining.
Sante Adairius West Ashley
This is not your ordinary Saison. Aged in French Oak Pinot Noir barrels on Apricots with their own House Microbes. The beer is full of Apricots in both the aroma and flavor and a hint of citrus. This beer has a perfect amount of tart and farmhouse funk, that will kick that Mimosa to the curb at your next holiday brunch. Bring a few bottles, this beer is so good it might not make it around the table and back to your glass.
North Coast Brewing Old Rasputin
Both a classic and a stunning version of a Russian Imperial Stout. Perfect for relaxing by the fire with a few close friends celebrating the survival of the holidays or just regrouping for the next wave. It’s roasty and warming the way you would expect a 9% ABV stout to be. Pro tip pairing, skip the cup coffee with your order of biscuits and gravy and pour yourself an Old Rasputin, you will not be disappointed, and I guarantee your day just got better.
The Holiday Exception
Sierra Nevada Celebration
This holiday IPA includes the classics; Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook. All of the hops are whole cone and fresh from the current harvest. Hopped closer a classic West Coast IPA, but it also has a great malt bill that gives this beer a robust mouthfeel without being too bready or sweet. If you are an IPA drinker, and not enjoying this beer during the holidays, you are missing out. Do yourself a favor and hide a few to enjoy once the family leaves.
If you’re having trouble finding one of these, no worries, there are plenty of breweries making great beers. Go hit up your local brewery or two. It’s a great excuse to do a little sampling and pick out a few gems. Saisons make great brunch and toasting beers. Coffee and barrel aged beers work great to both start or end your day. IPAs they just work. And if you have to, pick up a pumpkin beer as well, I’m sure you will make somebody happy.
