Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 24: Nöel Baladin

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 24: Nöel Baladin

It’s the final day of the Advent Beer Calendar! Where did the month go already? Today’s pick comes from Italy, which is fast becoming known for their craft beer scene: Birra Baladin‘s Nöel Baladin. This 9% alcohol beer is brewed in the style of a strong Belgian ale (according to … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 23: Roots Epic Ale

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 23: Roots Epic Ale

It’s become my own tradition-within-a-tradition to break from the "regular" Christmas/holiday beers and pick something "for me" on my birthday (which is today!). This year that something is Roots Organic Brewing‘s Epic Ale. I just had to, after reading Jeff’s opening description: Epic starts not with the brew kettle, but … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 22: Festive Christmas Porter

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 22: Festive Christmas Porter

Today’s pick is from the Burton Bridge Brewery in Burton-Upon-Trent, England: their Festive Christmas Porter. This is an easy-drinking holiday ale at 4.5% alcohol; it’s describe by the brewery as a "Fruity beer with a distinctive bitter after palate." Personally, I hear "porter + fruit" and I can’t help thinking … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 21: Schlafly Christmas Ale

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 21: Schlafly Christmas Ale

Today’s pick comes from that other brewery in St. Louis, Missouri: Schlafly Christmas Ale. This is a spicy, strong (8% alcohol by volume) that gets high marks and is apparently very spicy. Their short description says: A full-bodied amber ale to spice up the holidays. ‘Tis the season to enjoy … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 20: Thiriez Bière de Noël

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 20: Thiriez Bière de Noël

We’re getting close to Christmas! Today’s pick comes again from France: Brasserie Thiriez‘s Bière de Noël. This is a beer brewed in the "true Christmas tradition": a special recipe brewed for the colder months that changes each year. From the label on the site, it looks like this year’s vintage … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 19: Christmas Farm Ale

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 19: Christmas Farm Ale

When thinking of Christmas or Winter-themed beers, Florida is not the first place you’d turn to. However, today’s pick comes from Dunedin, Florida: Dunedin Brewery‘s Christmas Farm Ale. RateBeer is calling this year’s version a Dubbel with 8% alcohol and fermented with sour cherries. Dunedin’s own page says: A special … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 18: Deschutes Jubelale

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 18: Deschutes Jubelale

For today’s pick I’m going local and selecting Deschutes Brewery‘s Jubelale. This is Deschutes’ long-brewed seasonal Winter Warmer, and the first beer the brewery ever bottled. This is one of my favorite seasonal beers, one I look forward to every year. And I reviewed it recently: Taste: Spicy essence (nutmeg, … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 17: First Snow Ale

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 17: First Snow Ale

Today’s pick is from a brewery that originated in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and has since spread out to cover Georgia, Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland: RJ Rockers, and the beer is their First Snow Ale. I found this description of First Snow here: The First Snow Ale is an American-style … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 16: Scaldis Noël

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 16: Scaldis Noël

Yesterday we went with an English winter classic, and today we’re going with a Belgian one: Scaldis Noël from Brasserie Dubuission. (Known as Bush de Noël in its native country.) Scaldis is a complex Belgian dark strong ale that weighs in with a whopping 12% alcohol by volume. In short, … Continue reading

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 15: Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome

Advent Beer Calendar 2008: Day 15: Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome

Today we’re going with a classic: Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale. A quintessential English Winter Warmer, it’s malty and hoppy with a touch of spiciness without going over the top at 6% alcohol by volume. Not much more I need to say—just look for the distinctive bottle and colorful label … Continue reading