Stuff Your Stockings With Beer
You think Christmas is just about giving battery operated vacuum cleaners and underwear? Think again. Christmas is about beer.
Okay, it’s about Jesus Christ, but it’s also about beer. This is the time of year that breweries throw everything they have into the pot and whip up some of the boldest, most striking brews of the year. Christmas beers are malty. They’re high alcohol. Sometimes they’re spicy. And they’re usually damned good (if you don’t drink too many of them).
Here are five Christmas beers from Southern craft breweries that should go in your stocking this year.
Starr Hill – The Gift
A helles bock that’s a little bit hoppy from start to finish, but maintains all sort of fun malty sweetness as well. It’s creamy too.
starrhill.com
Sweetwater – Festive Ale
A winter warmer that bangs home toffee and chocolate before unleashing a barrage of holiday spices on your tongue. Oh yeah, there’s cinnamon in there. And alcohol too.
sweetwaterbrew.com
Heavy Seas – Winter Storm
Hopsity hops hops hops. This strong ale is dominated by floral hops notes thanks the dry hopping technique (not to be confused with dry humping).
hsbeer.com
Blue Mountain – Blitzen
Yes, that’s a drunk reindeer on the label. Yes, this sweet, Belgian dark ale will also put you on your back if you get too carried away with it (7% abv). Plus, it’s fun to pop beer corks like champagne bottles.
bluemountainbrewery.com
Catawba Brewing – King Winterbolt
This canned beer goes deep into malty sweetness before being pulled back onto the balance beam with Sorachi Ace and Cascade hops.
catawbabrewingco.com
Follow Graham Averill’s adventures in drinking and Dad-hood at daddy-drinks.com
