Jolly Traveler The Traveler Beer Co. Burlington, VT Type of Beer: Shandy ABV: 4.4% A shandy combines beer and another beverage (often a juice or soda) and is usually a warm-weather drink. So, a winter-themed variety had us all intrigued. Once poured into a glass there’s no missing the aroma from anywhere else in the... View Article
Christmas Ale Abita Brewing Co. Abita Springs, LA Type of Beer: Dark ale ABV: 5.6% The aroma is like a pine wreath hanging on the front door welcoming you inside. The burnt umber colored ale has ruby highlights and a host of interesting flavors. We detected Tootsie Roll, green tea and a brown bread, like... View Article
Holiday Ale Two Roads Brewing Co. Stratford, CT Type of Beer: Biere de Noel ABV: 7.3% Derived from the bière de garde style, we found this light caramel-colored offering to be generally lacking in the aroma department, with only subtle hints of sweet malt. Overall it’s enjoyable with a generally full mouthfeel that coated the... View Article
2XMAS Southern Tier Brewing Co. Lakewood, NY Type of Beer: Double spiced ale ABV: 8% Open a bottle and it’s like releasing Andy Williams in a bad Christmas sweater singing “Happy Holidays”—there’s nothing subtle about this ale. One taster equated it to a Bath and Body Works store in December, with aromas of cinnamon sticks,... View Article
Christmas Ale Breckenridge Brewery Denver Type of Beer: American strong ale ABV: 7.4% On the lighter side of brown, with a thin white head and relatively low carbonation, we liked this for its sweet orange-like aroma with brown sugar. Earthy hops came though in the flavor with a sweet caramel malt finish and a taste... View Article
Corsendonk Christmas Ale Brouwerij Corsendonk Oud-Turnhout, Belgium Type of Beer: Belgian dark strong ale ABV: 8.5% Pours a dark caramel with ruby highlights and a light brown head that has the stamina of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Our panel experienced aromas of spiced fig, rum, plum, sherry and clove. Flavors of rum raisin, walnut,... View Article
Festive Ale Sweetwater Brewing Co. Atlanta Type of Beer: Strong ale with spices ABV: 7.7% You know the holidays are looming when red wax starts appearing around bottle caps. My first jingle bells-themed beer of the year is Sweetwater’s Festive Ale. In a glass it shows off a deep chocolate brown color, with a long... View Article
Proprietor’s Bourbon County Brand Stout Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago ABV: 14.1% Imagine the aroma of a Samoas Girl Scout Cookie, with a hint of cinnamon and green apple. Low head retention and there’s a balance between cinnamon and coconut flavors. Spicy and dry on the finish with the spice adding a surprisingly nice heat. —Adam... View Article
Vanilla Rye Bourbon County Brand Stout Goose Island Beer Co. Chicago ABV: 13.8% Pours black with quickly dissipating espresso color head. Aromas of a hand-dipped Coke float and crème brûlée. The taste is like vanilla custard with a slight roasty char mid-palate. Then the door flings wide open for the rye to take center stage. The vanilla... View Article
