The Brew Site
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, oranges were a Christmastime luxury and were often left in stockings as goodies along with nuts and candies. Particularly in colder climes, oranges were considered exotic treats unaffordable at other times of the year. Why is this relevant to today’s Beer Advent Calendar … Continue reading
December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day, the feast day in many western European countries celebrating Nicholas of Myra, from which “Santa Claus” is derived. As befitting a day dedicated to Santa Claus, today’s beer Advent pick is Doggie Claws, from Portland, Oregon-based Hair of the Dog Brewing. Doggie Claws is … Continue reading
Tonight is Krampus Night, which in central European folklore celebrates Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas who punished children who misbehave. Krampusnacht occurs on the eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas on December 6, during which Krampus appears on the street to dispense coal and bundles of birch branches. As … Continue reading
No discussion of Christmas beer is complete without talking about Belgian Christmas beers. The Belgians are not shy about brewing rich beers with a variety of spices as end-of-the-year specialties, and arguably our modern notion of “Christmas beer” can be credited to the breweries of Belgium. I always include some … Continue reading
For this third day of December, the Advent beer selection is a New England classic and another long-running craft tradition: Winter Warmer from Boston, Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery. For over three decades this ale has heralded the holiday season with its signature spice profile—cinnamon and nutmeg. Harpoon was founded in 1986, … Continue reading
For 34 years, Louisiana’s Abita Brewing Company has been crafting a wide range of beers that focuses on easy drinking and embraces the brewery’s southern, New Orleans-adjacent roots. One of the oldest and largest craft breweries in America, Abita offers up a seasonal Christmas Ale which was first brewed not … Continue reading
What a year 2020 has been! I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to this year’s Beer Advent Calendar as a bright spot to help count down and celebrate this holiday season. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced how I’ve picked beers to feature each day; … Continue reading
We’ve made it! The final day of the Advent beer calendar, with our final beer pick for Christmas Eve! For this Christmas 2019 I’ve selected a Belgian classic from Brewery Huyghe: Delirium Noël. This Belgian Christmas ale is 10% alcohol by volume a perfect treat for the day. The description … Continue reading
Today is my birthday, conveniently situated right before Christmas, and as is my tradition on the Advent beer calendar each year, on this day I select a “birthday” beer for myself rather than a traditional Christmastime one. Or in today’s case, a cider—specifically, a barrel aged apple wine from 2 … Continue reading
Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah begins today at sunset, and each year I like to feature a Hanukkah themed beer on the Advent calendar if possible to commemorate the start of the holiday. Unfortunately there are not many Hanukkah beers available but one brewery in Portland, Oregon, Leikam Brewing, does in fact … Continue reading