The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2016

The holiday season is upon us. It is a joyous time of year for family, friends, food, festivities... and beer. Winter calls for big, warming brews and for the annual Twelve Beers of Christmas. For the ninth consecutive year the best offerings from friends, special releases, beer trips and all means of procurement are included in this annual ritual. To be included in the Twelve Beers of Christmas all beers in the twelve must be new to me, having not enjoyed them before. Starting on Christmas day and following the Twelve Days of Christmas, these selected dozen will be savored, enjoyed, and cherished. Fill you favorite drinking glass and enjoy the Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2016 and follow the progression on Untappd, Twitter, and Instagram. 

1. Allagash Odyssey 2010

This Odyssey will accompany Christmas dinner with my family. Ale Aged in Oak Barrels - yes, please.

From the brewer:
"Allagash Odyssey is a dark wheat beer aged for four months, a portion in oak barrels and the remainder in stainless tanks. The grain bill includes 2-row barley, malted wheat and a generous amount of roasted barley. This deep brown beer boasts an aroma of black treacle and raisin. Candi sugar, a traditional ingredient in some Belgian beer, is added during the boil. The flavor hints at dates, with a mildly roasted finish imparted by aging in both medium and heavy toasted American oak barrels. The finish is dry, punctuated by vanilla.

Food Pairings: Almond Crusted Chicken, Ribeye, Toffee Pudding, Crème Brulée, White Chocolate"


2. Tyranena Tapping the Sugarbush

This is a gift from the PfoxyJohn AKA Beer Santa. Very much looking forward to every aspect of this beer: maple, Bourbon barrel-aged, vanilla, caramel, chocolate. My favorite beer name of the dozen. 

Notes from Tyranena:
"Tapping The Sugarbush is an Imperial Maple Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels. The sweetness of maple syrup is masterfully blended with the richness of chocolate and caramel malts. Notes of vanilla and oak from barrel-aging further heighten this north wood's pleasure."


3. Lakefront Beer Line Barleywine

Another Wisconsin offering from PfoxyJohn, another big beer. Cold winter evenings call for barleywines. This will be a slow sipper.

Lakefront says:
"Beer Line is an off-the-rail barley wine style ale: rich, malty, multi-layered, and copper-amber. The off-white head liberates aromas of strawberry, dried-fruit, grapefruit, and papaya. The smooth, malt-forward flavor is equally complex, with undertones of caramel and toffee. Not overly sweet by any means, organic Bravo hops balance the malt syrup sweetness, finishing slightly spicy with a pleasurable alcohol warmth."


4. Blackberry Farm Blackberry Rye

Blackberry Farm Brewery is turning out some fantastic Farmhouse-style ales and they are in my back yard. Nice to have another very good local option especially one focusing on Belgian-style ales. Blackberry Rye is from my daughter Ashlyn who knows I coveted it greatly.

Blackberry Farm states:
"This offering in our Native Series was brewed with select heritage barley and rye malts and fermented with a wild strain of native yeast harvested from honeysuckle blossoms found on Blackberry Farm’s 9,200 acre estate. A secondary fermentation with blackberries followed by additional aging in Tennessee whiskey barrels lends notes of dark fruit and oak to this medium bodied ale’s malt profile, accentuated by a mild tartness and earthy complexity from the wild native yeast."


5. Sierra Nevada Cherry Chocolate Stout

I love cherries. I love chocolate. I love stouts. My wife may steal this one though. Picked up this offering on a recent trip to Sierra Nevada in Mills River, NC just outside Asheville. If you have not visited this beer Mecca you are missing out on possibly the most impressive brewery in the Southern and Eastern United States. This beer also happens to be Sierra Nevada's 36th Anniversary special beer. 

From Sierra Nevada:

"It's our 36th anniversary! We're celebrating with our new Cherry Chocolate Stout! Cherries and chocolate are a classic combination and perfectly match this rich imperial stout. We brewed this beer with Bing cherries and cherry juice, then aged it on cocoa nibs, to bring out notes of dark chocolate and a hint of sweet cherry. Cheers!"

6. Sierra Nevada Trip in the Woods Barrel Aged Narwhal

"We aged this rich, chocolatey Imperial Stout in bourbon barrels with a mix of both red currants and black currants for a pop of sweet and tart flavor. The deep, rich notes of the stout blend well with the berries in barrels to create complex flavors of coca and coconut with a mellow fruit undertone."

Another Sierra Nevada on the list. Yes they are one of my favorite breweries. Narwhal and Barrel-aged Narwhal have passed my lips before with great love. Now a barrel-aged Narwhal with red and black currant additions? Game on.

7. Jackie O's Dark Apparition

A fitting end to 2016 with a Dark Apparition. To many 2016 was a very dark year. This beer is the perfect way to stomp out the life from 2016 and welcome a new year, killing the ghosts of beers past. This one is highly recommended. 

Notes from Jackie O's:

"Russian Imperial Stouts are one of brewmaster Brad Clark’s favorite styles of beer and Dark Apparition is without a doubt his favorite beer to brew. We stuff 2200 pounds of malt into our 20bbl mash tun and by the end of the mash, dark malts are spilling onto the brew house floor! Brad includes great flavors he admires in his favorite Russian Imperial Stouts like chocolate, coffee, roast, dark fruit, caramel, and some nice earthy/spicy hop character. With a midnight black color and chewy, dextrinous body, Dark Apparition is a huge beer with tons of character."

8. Oskar Blues Bourbon Barrel-Aged Java Ten Fidy

What? First there is Ten Fidy, one of the best Imperial Stouts. Then there is Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy which takes this fantastic beer to a new level. Now there is Barrel-Aged JAVA Ten Fidy: BBA Ten Fidy with Hotbox Coffee addition. Happy freaking New Year to me. This should jump start my New Year's Day; will probably need that java...

9. Boulevard Smokestack Series: Imperial Stout X - Tart Cherry 2015

More cherries.Yes! Picked this one up during vacation at Pawley's Island, SC. It got past the Hootenanny and now finds a spot on the Twelve Beers of Christmas. Another one to share with my wife.

Boulevard says:

"Our special treat for lovers of big, complex stouts, the Imperial Stout "X" series offers a year-long roster of limited releases, each with a significant variation. This time out we spotlight the addition of tart cherries to fermentation as well as a lactic souring on the brewhouse. The result is a perfect marriage of robust, smoky maltiness and bracing tartness."

10. The Commons Unconquerable Sun 

"Our 4th Anniversary Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels with apple brandy soaked hazelnuts."

Big love for every Commons ale I have tried. This one was sent to me from my good friend El Travieso who happens to work for The Commons Brewery in Portland, OR. The Unconquerable Sun has been saved specifically for this occasion. Read the description again: "aged in Bourbon barrels with apple brandy soaked hazelnuts." 

Giddy.

11. Wicked Weed Dark Art Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with Brett

Wicked Weed has become one of the best breweries in the South, nay, the nation. Sours, experimental fruit beers, barrel aged monsters, IPA's, farmhouse ales, all delicious. Another great beer friend and local craft beer stalwart, Jason, brought this Brettanomyces fermented imperial stout aged in rum barrels back for me after 2016's release. It was destined to be on this list. 

12. Sierra Nevada Alpha Hops Society Islay Black Ale Aged in Single-Malt Scotch Whisky Barrels

"The island of Islay (pronounced “EYE-lah”) is the southernmost part of the Inner Hebrides archipelago off of Scotland’s west coast. It has become a major center for the production of single-malt Scotch whisky, and especially famous for the ultra-smoky, seafaring qualities of several of the brands produced there.
We got ahold of some (extremely wet) barrels formerly used to age one of the island’s most popular whiskies, and aged a rich, inky, imperial stout in them for about 8 months.
Boy-oh-boy, if you like the peaty, smoky, saline Scotch whiskies, this is the beer for you.
It has notes of wood smoke up-front that back-off into notes of rich baker’s cocoa and espresso from the base beer, blended with the flavors of earthy peat and some additional smoke on the finish. The richness and sweetness of the beer make a great backbone for the spirit flavors to carry through the palate. This would be the perfect match for a windy, rainy night and a nice cigar (if you’re into that sort of thing.) This is the beer that Brontë’s Heathcliff would drink (if he were not a fictional character.)
Sláinte."

Bottle number 083/575, and there were really only around 350 bottles according to Sierra Nevada. This one is not for the faint of heart: peat, Scotch, smoke, wood. Should be a fantastic companion to smoked meats. Yes, I believe it will be. Alpha indeed. A great way to finish the Twelve Beers of Christmas for 2016. Sláinte.

Twelve Beers of Christmas 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

Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013

Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014

Twelve Beers of Christmas 2015

The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014

My "Twelve Beers of Christmas" started in 2008 and has become an annual holiday tradition. Throughout each year, many beers are acquired and after deliberation and culling, the final worthy dozen are chosen. The main requirements to be on the list are to be: 1) a beer that I have not tried before; 2) a highly coveted or rare beer, and; 3) a beer style that I enjoy. The traditional Twelve Days of Christmas are followed, with the first beer being tasted on Christmas day, the second on December 26, and one every day through January 5th up to the Epiphany. Now, in order of appearance, let me introduce my twelve Beers of Christmas 2014:

 1. Affligem Noël Christmas Ale

I love Belgian Abbey Ales. I plan on thoroughly enjoying this one; it is pairing with our Christmas dinner. From the brewer: "For the season we offer you our best wishes and especially delicious Ale. Rich and dark like our Dubbel. Sumptuous and smooth like our Tripel. Enjoy." 

2. The Commons Fleur De Blanc

The Commons Brewery Fleur de Blanc is a "seasonal farmhouse ale finished with elderflowers, rose hips and rose petals." Well-crafted saisons are such a pleasure to drink. The Commons Brewery is producing some phenomenal Belgian style ales. This one should be no exception.

3. Westbrook Dark Helmet

Westbrook Brewing is making some really tasty beers in some very interesting styles. Dark Helmet is a "German-style black lager (or Schwarzbier) brewed with 10% malted rye, chocolate and Carafa malts."   

"May the Schwarz be with you!"  

4. Base Camp S'more Stout

I had the pleasure of visiting Base Camp Brewing on my beer trip to Portland. I did not try the S'more Stout on that trip and have regretted it since. From Base Camp:  

"The S’more Stout is an absolute all-star: Aromas of chocolate, coffee, fig, and smoke invite you in to a gigantic maltiness that is distinct in its smooth and refined character, with flavors of chocolate and hints of smoke mingling with rich caramel, fruit, and warming alcohol.  Top with a roasted marshmallow and you have the ultimate S’more experience!"

I'm definitely adding a marshmallow to mine. My wife may steal this beer. I'll share though. Dessert anyone?

5. Highland 20th Anniversary Scotch Ale

Scotch ales are a favorite style of mine and Highland is one of my most-liked breweries. This Scotch ale will be a delicious way to celebrate the holidays while honoring my Scots-Irish ancestry and Oscar Wong's Highland Brewing Company. Their offerings were some of the first craft beers that I tried on my craft beer journey. Cheers to twenty years! 


"Rich caramel and roasted notes blend with a subtle hop nose to create an ale suited for the finest occasions. Medium-bodied, it has a brown-red hue from a Caramel malt and roasted barley. It is brewed with the finest traditional Scottish malts and English Fuggle hops. A late addition of Sterling hops imparts a slightly spicy nose, ever so subtle."

6. Goose Island The Muddy Imperial Stout

This had to be on the list: a Blues-inspired Imperial Stout? Are you kidding me? This is right up my alley - a tribute to the greatest Bluesman ever. I will be listening to my Muddy Waters box set when I enjoy this one. Thank you Seamus.

"Brewed with molasses, brewer’s licorice, and Belgian dark rock candi sugar, The Muddy is an imperial stout with amplified sweetness for a taste as distinctive as the Chicago blues that inspired its creation."

7. Logsdon Seizoen Bretta

Another sasion to appreciate, this one from Logsdon Farmhouse Ales in Oregon, and it brought Brettanomyces with it. It's going to be a New Years' Eve party on my tastebuds!


This unfiltered sasion is "naturally refermented and carbonated with select yeast strains, producing fruity and spicy flavors that are balanced by hops and soft malt character. Special Brettanomyces yeast provides added dryness and crisp complexity to the Seizoen Bretta. Bottle conditioned with pear juice for a natural carbonation."

8. Harviestoun Ola Dubh 16

(pronounced ‘ola-doo’ and Gaelic for ‘black oil’)

"Tasty tasty motor oil."  That's how I've described the Ola Dubh ales from Harviestoun Brewery in Scotland. It is an Old Ale aged in oak casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 16 Year Old Single Malt Whisky. This one has been on my wish list for some time.

"Ola Dubh 16 takes on distinct whisky notes, perfectly complementing its roasty, toasty bitterness. There’s plenty to enjoy on the nose which is a classy blend of whisky, sweet roasted malts, earthy woodland and vanilla. The flavour is rich; loaded with sweet-roasted dark malts and coffee. And just at the finish there’s nice, smoky peat hints." 

9. Dieu du Ciel Rigor Mortis Abt

 Dieu du Ciel in Montreal brews some fantastic world-class beers. If you find anything from this brewery, buy it and savor it. The brewery describes this Belgian-style Quadruple ale as a "strong brown ale inspired by the beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks. Very little bitterness, this beer has intense malty and sweet flavours, mixed with the taste of chocolate and caramel. It presents complex red fruit and spice flavours due to the type of yeast that is used during the brewing process. This beer is at its best only after it has aged for six months."

10. North Coast Old Stock Ale 2011

This one came to me in a beer trade in 2011 from a California BeerPal, jlozier. Yes, 2011. It had a note attached. 

"Like a fine port, Old Stock Ale is intended to be laid down. With an original gravity of over 1.100 and a generous hopping rate, Old Stock Ale is well-designed to round out and mellow with age. It's brewed with classic Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England."

11. Wicked Weed Dark Arts Bourbon-Barrel Aged Wild Imperial Stout

Wicked Weed is wicked hot right now. The newer kid on the block is also the Einstein of Asheville - genius! This very hard-to-get beer came into my hands from my good friend Jason. Dark Arts is an American wild, bourbon barrel aged, imperial stout. It is brewed right up to the North Carolina alcohol cap of 15% abv. Head of Wicked Weed Brewing Operations, Walt Dickinson, uses Brettanomyces yeast to reduce sweetness and dry out the beer. Dark Arts was brewed in October 2013, and racked to bourbon barrels for almost a year. What's not to like?

12. AleSmith Barrel-Aged Old Numbskull

This Barrel-Aged version of Old Numbskull, an American Barleywine Ale, is "matured in premium bourbon barrels for up to one year to develop its rich and intense flavor profile. The result is an amazingly complex beer that balances the caramel and toasted malt character of the with notes of vanilla, oak, and bourbon from the barrel aged process." 
  
It has been on my wish list for a very long time. It will be sipped ever-so-slowly to fully enjoy its wonderfulness. I better share this one...

 

There it is, my Twelve Beers of Christmas 2014. I will also so check in to each of these beers on Untappd. I hope you enjoy your holiday beers. Be sure to share yours with friends and family. I could not enjoy these beers without the help from very good friends and the patience and understanding of my beautiful wife. 

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays! 

Sláinte!

Twelve Beers of Christmas 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

The Twelve Beers of Christmas 2013