Season’s Greetings,
Once again, it is time for The Old Growler to put together his Christmas Six-Pack.
This year he visited the local specialty beer store the Beer Barrel in Brooklyn.
There were a few notable brews missing. Anchor Special Ale, Samuel Smith’s Winter Warmer, and Harpoon’s Seasonal were not to be found.
Nevertheless, I took what was available and, like a lot of things lately, made do and grateful.
The following are The Old Growler’s 2021 Christmas Six-Pack, in ABV order, and order tasted.
The Old Growler’s 2021 Christmas Six-Pack
Brooklyn Winter IPA (Red Ale)
BASIC INFORMATION:
7% ABV 12 oz./354 ml. $2.48/ 1.87 GBP
“FROSTY HOPS & WARM RYE”
“Cold weather calls for thick knit hats, swift sleds, and Brooklyn Winter IPA. This classic IPA layers Simcoe and Trident hop for notes of dark fruit, blood orange, and bright, frosty juniper and pine aromas. A touch of rye spice notes warm the finish to keep you cozy to the core. Stock up and enjoy the flurries while they last.”
STYLE: RED IPA
ABV: 7.0%
“TASTING NOTES:”
“Wintry and warming with notes of juniper, blackberry jam, rye, spice, and snowfall.”
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
7% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
N/A BITTERNESS UNITS
NUTRITION
205 CALORIES
18g CARBOHYDRATES
1g PROTEINS
https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/brooklyn-brewery/brooklyn-lager
Bell’s Christmas Ale (Scotch Ale)
BASIC INFORMATION:
7.5% ABV 12 oz./354 ml. $2.48/1.87 (GBP)
The Brewery Website gives us their take on the background of this brew: http://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/christmas-ale
“BELL’S CHRISTMAS ALE”
“This traditional Scotch Ale is rich and malty with notes of caramel and a warm finish. Certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable. Enjoy with the company of friends and family.”
Alcohol By Volume: 7.5%
Original Gravity: 1.075
Shelf Life: 6 Months
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
7.5% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
N/A BITTERNESS UNITS
10.75° ORIGINAL GRAVITY
NUTRITION
174 Calories
67g Fat
2,300g Sodium
300g Cholesterol
https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/bells-brewing-christmas-ale-99236547
Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale
BASIC INFORMATION
7.5% ABV 12 oz./354 ml.$2.51/1.89 GBP
The Brewery Website gives us this information on their Old Man Winter Ale:
“Our winter offering is here to quell your shivers and get you through the coldest of nights. A rich marriage of hops and barley to cast light upon the evening and melt your mind out of the snowdrifts. Old Man Winter’s earthy hue and thickness lace around the glass, inviting you to linger in its warmth and share the spirits of the season with your friends and family. A deceptively strong brew, it’s best to sit and ponder with this old man, sip by sip.”
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
7.5% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
57 BITTERNESS UNITS
NUTRITION
216 CALORIES
0g CARBOHYDRATES
0g PROTEINS
https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/southern-tier-brewing-company-old-man-winter-ale-29873044
St. Bernardus Christmas
BASIC INFORMATION:
9.5% ABV 12 oz./354 ml. $4.94/3.73 GBP
The Brewery Website gives us their take on the background of this brew:
https://www.sintbernardus.be/en/brewery/our-beers/stbernardus-christmas-ale-en
“St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is a dark, seasonal beer, full of wintery character and flavors that we brew every year, ready for the festive season.”
Color
“This beer takes on a splendid dark-brown color that is topped off with a cream-colored layer of froth.”
“St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is an intensely dark beer with a full yet slightly fruity flavor, overflowing with the tastes of winter and zesty seasonal aromas. Aniseed notes are complemented by hints of creamy caramel and fire-roasted chestnuts. This zestiness shows no signs of abating, pushing through to a magnificent finish of dried fruits and chocolate. Like all of our beers, this brew bears the imprint of the unique St. Bernardus yeast (dating back to 1946), giving it its unique complexity. Simply stated, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale is the perfect degustation beer to warm your heart and bring a glow to your loved ones on a cold winter night.”
“Christmas and chocolate is a tried and trusted combination, and the Christmas Ale forms a perfect match with a wide variety of desserts, but especially those made with chocolate. Also, when game is in season, make sure you serve a Christmas Ale. A less obvious pairing that is perfect in its own special way can be made with Scandinavian dishes, rich with wintery spices.”
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
10% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
N/A BITTERNESS UNITS
NUTRITION
289 CALORIES
23g CARBOHYDRATES
1g PROTEINS
https://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/belgian-strong-ale-1007989882
D’chouffe N’ice Chouffe
BASIC INFORMATION:
10% ABV 12 oz./354 ml.$2.24/1.65 GBP
The Brewery Website gives us their take on the background of this brew: N’ice Chouffe
“N’ice Chouffe is the winter beer from the D’Achouffe Brewery. We recommend that you enjoy it from mid-October to mid-February, preferably by the fireplace. It is a dark beer, slightly hoppy, spiced with thyme and curaçao, and made using orange peel. It has an alcohol content of 10%. N’ice Chouffe goes well with any winter dishes.”
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
10% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
20 BITTERNESS UNITS
NUTRITION
153 CALORIES
13g CARBOHYDRATES
1.6g PROTEINS
Prairie Artisan Christmas Bomb
BASIC INFORMATION:
13% ABV 12 oz./354 ml. $12.59/9.51 GBP
The Brewery Website gives very little on the background of this brew:
https://prairieales.com/beers/
THE REST OF THE STORY:
STATS
14% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
N/A BITTERNESS UNITS
NUTRITION
390 CALORIES
42g CARBOHYDRATES
0g PROTEINS
https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/prairie-artisan-ales/bomb
What do you think?
First of all, I hope you found the selection interesting. Any comments on any of the brews would be appreciated.
If you have any particular brew you would like to see “Make Expectations” don’t hesitate to let us know about it.
Cheers!
Peter (The Old Growler) LaFrance
