“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”
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It's that time again, time for the annual festive celebration of barley, hops, water, and yeast, and a few adjuncts here and there. This is the Twelfth Twelve Beers of Christmas I have celebrated, a dozen dozens, how fun is that? Let's start on Christmas Day and follow the traditional twelve days of Christmas shall we? Follow along at home with @bluesandbarbq on Instagram, Twitter, and Untappd as we enjoy these special elixirs.
1. Mikkeller Berserker 2
Berserkers were a special group of elite Viking warriors who went into battle without traditional armor. Instead, they wore animal pelts, typically from bears or wolves. The word "berserker" derives from the Old Norse "serkr," meaning "coat" or "shirt," and "ber," the Norse word for "bear."
Mikkeller Berserker 2 is a Flanders Red Ale with Balaton cherries aged in Port barrels weighing in at 7% abv (alcohol by volume). What's not to like about this? Thank you to my West Coast SoCal beer buddy Carlos for sending me this fantastic offering. Can't wait for Christmas Day so I can drink this one.
2. Bearded Iris V. Latte W/ Yukro Coffee Roasted by Crema
A bearded iris from our front yard in Tennessee
An Imperial Oatmeal Stout with vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, lactose, and roasted Yukro coffee beans that is 9% abv. From a great brewery in Nashville, this beer was gifted to me by my younger local beer brother Jason, Keeper of Many Cellared Beers, Foster Parent to little dogs.
Wake up and smell the coffee dammit! This will probably be my wife's favorite...
3. New Belgium La Folie Grand Reserve: PX
A la folie literally means to (the) madness, in French. It generally translates to English as like crazy, and is used primarily to intensify the expression of love. ... To tell somebody in French that you love them to death would usually be Je t'aime a la folie, or literally I love you to madness.
Pedro Ximenez Sherry barrel-aged sour brown ale with Tahitian vanilla beans. Bottled on nitro. Bought this gem on my spring visit to the Asheville, NC New Belgium facility. It was very tempting to drink it right away but this was purchased for the sole purpose of gracing this year's Twelve Beers of Christmas. High expectations indeed.
4. Funky Buddha Last Buffalo In The Park
The Last of the Buffalo
Painting by Albert Bierstadt
The Last Buffalo in the Park is a Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Porter. Pitch black and viscous according to the brewer, made with coconut and fresh roasted coffee, aged in Bourbon barrels for months to accentuate the vanilla and coconut notes. This one was purchased at the brewery in Oakland Park in South Florida. Could not pass up a Bourbon barrel-aged coconut Imperial Porter.
5. Avery Raspberry Truffale
She wore a
Raspberry beret
The kind you find in a second hand store
Raspberry beret
And if it was warm she wouldn't wear much more
Raspberry beret
I think I love her
"Raspberry Beret" by Prince
Avery Raspberry Truffale is a 14% abv Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout with chocolate and raspberries. This was obtained while working in Reno, NV in October 2019. Another barrel aged beer in the dozen because I like big barrel-aged beers in the winter. Keeps me warm.
6. Yazoo Funk Fest 2019
Wrangler of Funk, beer blender, barrel fixer upper at Yazoo Brewing in Nashville (Madison), Sour, wild and funky website Embrace the Funk
From Yazoo's Embrace the Funk brewer and wild ale genius Brandon Jones:
This Belgian style Tripel base was fermented with our tropical brettanomyces & yeast blend then aged in peach brandy & vanilla bean bourbon barrels for one year. Thoughtfully blended to celebrate our annual festival of all things funky, sour and wild.
My God, this one is aged in Bourbon AND peach brandy barrels. A great beer to help close out 2019; I'm already drooling.
7. New Heights Navel Gazer Aged in Chattanooga Whiskey 1816 Barrels
In a literal sense, navel-gazing is the practice of mediating by intently staring at one's own navel. The term is rarely used in this fashion. The expression navel-gazing is used as an idiom to mean being absorbed in one's own thoughts, feelings and concerns, to the exclusion of all others.
This Navel Gazer Imperial Stout has been aged in Chattanooga Whiskey 1816 Bourbon barrels for 24 months and is 10.1% abv. I won this beer through an Instagram #giveaway from @tncraftbeermag Tennessee Craft Beer Magazine in late 2018. It has purposely been saved for my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019. Some full on Tennessee love right here.
8. Tyranena Anniversary Series TWENTY
The legend of Tyranena began long ago, in a time before history was written. Legend tells of a foreign tribe that built a series of stone structures and effigy mounds on the edge of the lake called Tyranena.
Today, these structures lie preserved deep under the waters of Rock Lake. No one knows for sure who built them, the purpose they served, how and why they are now submerged, or even the meaning of the word Tyranena.
Today, these structures lie preserved deep under the waters of Rock Lake. No one knows for sure who built them, the purpose they served, how and why they are now submerged, or even the meaning of the word Tyranena.
TWENTY is a 13.9% abv Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout... more specifically, the fine Imperial stout base was aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for about 6 months, then transferred again, with roughly 80% aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels and 20% aged in Madeira fortified-wine barrels, for another 6 months or so.
Thank you to my good friend and Wisconsin Beer Guru, PfoxyJohn, Beer Santa, for this lovely beverage, to be enjoyed on the first day of the new year 2020. TWENTY on 2020.
9. Bottle Logic Fundamental Observation 2018
- Gear Patrol
Another fantastic, highly coveted beer from my good friend Big G, Carlos.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Vanilla Stout: Our chart-topping ''liquid brownie batter'' was aged in a medley of Buffalo Trace, WL Weller, Heaven Hill, and Four Roses bourbon barrels with multiple additions of Madagascar vanilla beans. 13.2% abv
10. The Rare Barrel Soliloquy
so·lil·o·quy
/səˈliləkwē/
noun
- an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.
From guess who? Yep, Carlos. Damn that guy can get some great beers. Thank you so much Big G.
Soliloquy is a golden sour beer aged in oak barrels with rose hips and orange peel. Fermented with Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces yeast and soured with Lactobacillus and Pediococcus bacteria, this sour beer features aromas of citronella and jasmine with flavors of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon zest. Right in my strike zone.
11. Prairie Artisan Ales Bible Belt
Picked this one up while working in Oklahoma City on a visit to Prairie Artisan Ales OKC. Great brewery in the heart of America. Been on my wish list for a long time; an Imperial Stout aged on coffee, vanilla beans, chilies, and cacao nibs with and abv of 13%
12. New Glarus R&D 2019 Sour Blackberry Ale
The 'Marion' cultivar or Marion blackberry, marketed as marionberry, is a blackberry developed by the USDA ARS breeding program in cooperation with Oregon State University. It is a cross between the 'Chehalem' and 'Olallie' blackberries.
From New Glarus:
Dan's 2019 Sour Blackberry Ale is spontaneously fermented in the Lambic tradition using our coolship and oak tank aged. Oregon Marion berries dominate this sour ale fermented in the bottle you hold.
Another beer from PfoxyJohn, this one being from my favorite brewery thus saved for the last one. Fruit beers from this brewery are unequaled. This shall be a magnificent treat from a dear friend. Many thanks John.
There they are; the Twelve Beers of Christmas 2019. So many from great friends and my extensive travels this past year, heavy on barrel-aged stouts, fruited, and sour ales because they are my favorites. I encourage you to start your own tradition of Twelve Beers of Christmas, Holiday Beers, or whatever motivates you to save and drink great beers with friends and family celebrating all that is wonderful in life.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays! Cheers y'all with much love from Tennessee.
The Ghosts of Christmas Beers Past...
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2008
1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)
2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale
5. Bison Winter Warmer
6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock
7. Delirium Tremens
8. New Glarus Apple Ale
9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)
10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)
11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout
12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009
1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale
2. Goose Island Christmas Ale
3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter
4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale
5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf
6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout
7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter
8. Rochefort Trappistes 6
9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale
10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
11. Cantillon Iris
12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010
1. Spaten Optimator
2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine
3. Ass Kisser Double IPA
4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA
5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout
6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter
7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer
8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna
9. Maredsous 10
10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale
12. Victory Old Horizontal
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011
1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter
2. Brew Kettle White Rajah
3. Brooklyn Black Ops
4. Capital Eternal Flame
5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew
6. Founders Backwoods Bastard
7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout
8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale
9. Odell Mountain Standard '09
10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale
11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang
12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012
1. De Ranke Pere Noel
2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale
4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings
5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA
6. N'Ice Chouffe
7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt
8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome
9. Pelican Bad Santa
10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper
11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout
12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings
1. Anchor Our Special Ale (2008)
2. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
3. Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel
4. Great Lakes Christmas Ale
5. Bison Winter Warmer
6. Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock
7. Delirium Tremens
8. New Glarus Apple Ale
9. Corsendonk Pater (Abbey Brown Ale)
10. Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)
11. Thirsty Dog Siberian Night Imperial Stout
12. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2008)
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2009
1. Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs Christmas Ale
2. Goose Island Christmas Ale
3. Tommyknocker St. Nicks Cocoa Porter
4. Avery Old Jubilation Ale
5. Rinkuškiai Missing Elf
6. Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout
7. Ken Schmidt / Maui / Stone Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter
8. Rochefort Trappistes 6
9. Rogue Santas Private Reserve Ale
10. Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
11. Cantillon Iris
12. Lurgashall Christmas Mead
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2010
1. Spaten Optimator
2. Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine
3. Ass Kisser Double IPA
4. Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA
5. Terrapin Wake-n-Bake Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout
6. Depot Street The Limited Maple Pecan Porter
7. AleSmith YuleSmith – Summer
8. a. Oskar Blues Gordon / b. Oskar Blues Gubna
9. Maredsous 10
10. Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock
11. Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Fritz & Ken Ale
12. Victory Old Horizontal
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2011
1. AleSmith Yulesmith – Winter
2. Brew Kettle White Rajah
3. Brooklyn Black Ops
4. Capital Eternal Flame
5. Dogfish Head Miles Davis' Bitches Brew
6. Founders Backwoods Bastard
7. Hoppin' Frog DORIS The Destroyer Double Imperial Stout
8. Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball Ale
9. Odell Mountain Standard '09
10. Olde Hickory Bourbon Barrel Aged Bardstown Ale
11. Ommegang Brasserie D'Achouffe Gnomegang
12. Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2012
1. De Ranke Pere Noel
2. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale
3. Hopworks Organic Abominable Winter Ale
4. Lompoc C-Son's Greetings
5. Midnight Sun CoHoHo Imperial IPA
6. N'Ice Chouffe
7. Ninkasi Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt
8. Oakshire Ill-Tempered Gnome
9. Pelican Bad Santa
10. Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper
11. Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout
12. The Bruery 5 Golden Rings
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014
Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015
