Whatever holiday you celebrate throughout the winter months, you have to agree it is a time of year worth toasting to. The holiday season is about indulgence, relaxation and enjoying the rich flavors of winter before New Year’s resolutions hit home. Around the PNW, brewers and creators alike play the field with various winter beer experiments, taking many forms across a broad board of styles. Successful winter brews have been around for decades and breweries are taking note by crafting their own seasonal picks, here are five of ours that thematically home in on the holiday spirit.
Parallel 49 Brewing | Mr. Needles | Vancouver, BC
This pale ale was once a dream of the Vancouver brewery’s in-house label artist, a brew of citrus hop flavors met with fir boughs in the kettle. The savory, herbal evergreen qualities of the coniferous tree complement and increase those of the juicy hops used, for a pale that still holds a malty base and a crisp, bold finish. One of the “rarity” offerings from Parallel 49, keep your eyes open for this seasonal release to drink next to your Christmas tree.
Pike Brewing Co. | Pike Auld Acquaintance | Seattle
The 2016 blend of the Pike Auld Acquaintance is dark, toasty and filled with spices and aromatic notes of orange. Embracing a wide variety of flavors, the seasonal edition is brewed with three different Yakima Valley hops, curacao, sweet orange peel, coriander, cassia bark and nutmeg. This full-bodied ale has a soft texture and crisp carbonation that stands out of the crowd. Flavor so bold, it can (and should) be enjoyed as a solo sipper.
McMenamins Brewing | Kris Kringle | Portland
The Kris Kringle is further known as the brewer’s traditional Yuletide ale and is a longstanding favorite around the greater Pacific Northwest. The 2016 version has a robust and hearty complexity that focuses on bold malts and flavorful hops throughout the profile. Made with ginger and cinnamon, the ale channels classic holiday notes and delivers a festive, medium body. Enjoy this seasonal from the beginning of November to Christmas Day.
Big Sky Brewing Co. | Biere de Noël | Missoula, MT
Limited release, like the rest in this lot, this beer is hand-packaged and bottle conditioned from the Montana powerhouse brewer. Dark, roasted flavors melded with notes of caramel and dried stone fruit, the winter ale takes a powerful stance at 10.1 percent ABV, promising it to be a lofty companion after a day spent in the Northern Rockies. Approachable despite its size, this is a great introduction into dark, deeper ales of likeminded weather.
Deschutes Brewery | Jubelale | Bend, OR
Designed with warm spiciness and tradition in mind, this English-inspired ale features cocoa, dried fruit and toffee in its flavor profile. The mouthfeel is creamy and carbonated without overwhelming the palate. Receiving international recognition, this dark brown pour with red hues makes for the perfect winter companion. The Jubelale is a perfect dessert beer due to its chocolate remnants and roasted quality taste.
