Label for Noel de Calabaza, the Holiday Ale release from Jolly Pumpkin Brewery

The holiday season is a fantastic time of year for all of us lovers of craft beer. It’s also a wonderful time of year for those of us who like to age and cellar our beer, as many of the holiday seasonal releases will only continue to improve with time. Here’s a short list of American beers you should keep an eye out for this season.

Anchor Christmas Ale- Now in 33rd year of release, this beer remains a popular choice for cellaring enthusiasts everywhere. Anchor’s Christmas Ale web page even remarks on it’s aging prowess: “…the beer remains intriguing and drinkable for years, with different nuances slowly emerging as the flavor mellows slightly” A case cost me $44 dollars at my local beverage mart, a fine price to pay for something I’ll be savoring and enjoying for years to come.

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - This is the beer that first brought me in to the beer cellaring world. This beer will undergo massive changes as it ages. As it starts to loose its hoppy blast and smooth chocolaty flavors will come to the forefront. It’s delicious in either form!

Allagash Grand Cru - I first tried last year’s vintage of this brew back this summer. I bought it without realizing it was a holiday release and had most likely been sitting on the shelves for awhile. It didn’t really matter, as the big spicy character of this beer was helping it hold up very well. I can’t wait to compare the aged version with a fresh one this season!

Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi - If you live in Southern California, you’re in luck. This thanksgiving weekend be sure to make your way down to the Lost Abbey brewery in San Diego. If you wait in what will most likely be a very long line, present your identification to be recorded, get fingerprinted, and give up your youngest child (okay - I made those last two items up), you’ll be allowed to purchase two and only two bottles of the first release of Lost Abbey’s winter seasonal beer Gift of the Magi. The Lost Abbey web site describes this beer as “Laden with toasted malt and caramel flavors accented by notes of grape, apple and cherry, its truly magical gift is a complexity that grows and softens as it ages”. Anybody want to wait in line a grab me a couple?

Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza- Jolly Pumpkin is quickly becoming a favorite brewery of mine. You’ll be sure to have visions of sugar plums while sampling their holiday beer. Layers of hops, figs, raisins, cashews and truffles will make sure your taste buds have a very merry Christmas.

Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine - In my opinion, Victory beers are one of the best bargains in the craft beer world right now. Their Old Horizontal Barleywine is a strong ale with rich hops and a candied fruit character. Sounds perfect for a cold winter night to me!

Ommegang Caved-Aged Three Philosophers - Howe caverns is one of the biggest tourist attractions in NY state. Every year the crew from Ommegang brewery make the trek up from Cooperstown to place a select stash of their Three Philosophers Ale deep within the depths of this cavern. They’ll also pull a limited number of bottles back out and make it available to the general public. I loved Three Philosophers when I tasted it a few months back. This is a perfect holiday gift for any beer enthusiast!

I hope you’re able to add a few of these beers to your stash this season!

Jason

jason@brewbasement.com