Sometimes the best part of the holiday season is hanging out with friends and loved one and having a great beer. Our contributing editor Chris Jacobsen has taken on the duty as official Holiday Beer taster. This way there is no guess work when it comes to choosing the right brew for you and your Holiday crew.
As with every special event or holiday, there’s always the drink to top off the occasion. Most special drinks require a dozen or so ingredients that the average person only has a handful of and the rest of them fall in line with the usual, eggnog and wine. I grew tired of all the normal stuff and wanted to get back to my leisure beverage of choice, beer. There are few things I enjoy more than relaxing with friends and family with a cold pint of my favorite beer, and the holidays should be no exception. I’ve come across two beers that easily round out my holiday and you don’t need to travel to foreign lands to find them.
The first is the Samuel Adams Winter Lager. This beer was introduced to me a few years back and I’ve loved it ever since. The first thing that struck me was how full bodied the flavor was. The hint of cinnamon that you can catch a glimpse of in every sip was subtle enough to not overpower but defined enough to give the beer it’s warm holiday feel. This seasonal brew is definitely a hearty ale but doesn’t sit heavily. The aroma of the beer is laced with the added spices which I feel adds a little something to the overall taste. A rich, dark amber color, warm feel, and a great malty taste make sure this beer satisfies to the last drop.
The second beer is a recent addition to the Leinenkugel family of beers. The Fireside Nut Brown lager is surely defined by its roasted malt character, but it’s the aroma and hints of notable flavors that really make this beer sing. This beer is smooth at the start and finishes just the same. The aroma of maple and chocolate hit first as hints of caramel and hazelnut follow. I really enjoy a beer that has a distinct flavor to it but isn’t too overwhelming to the point that it loses its sense of being a true beer. This beer is wonderful from start to finish and will definitely be a part of my holidays for many years to come.
Both of these seasonal brews are only available in the November to December months. They are made in smaller, high quality batches at their respective breweries. These beers are easy to find and are reasonably priced which makes enjoying them around the holidays all the more simple.
