CLEVELAND, Ohio – We decided to sip only holiday beers for this month’s review. They come from across the country. The style is popular in Northeast Ohio, of course, but it varies elsewhere.
We sipped 12 beers from different breweries. We’ll list them by state. All are Christmas / holiday ales ranging from 5.7% to 9.1% alcohol.
As usual, the beers should be available on local store shelves. Our photos show what the beers look like, and we list our favorite at the end.
Cheers!
CALIFORNIA: Fireside Chat
21st Amendment Brewery, San Leandro, California; winter ale, 7.9% alcohol
Spices are very subdued, as we often find in holiday ales brewed outside of Ohio, but it is bitter from the cocoa nibs it’s made with. Chocolate flavor without a sugary taste.
CONNECTICUT: Before During & After Christmas IPA
Evil Twin Brewing Co., North Haven, Connecticut; Double India Pale Ale, 8% alcohol
Slight orange and grapefruit come out, and bitterness is there but restrained. A bit creamy with a hop burn on the finish. A fine DIPA, but Christmasy in the name only. Another case of a brewery simply putting “Christmas” or “holiday” or similar seasonal tag on its beer.
CONNECTICUT: Fog Nog
Abomination Brewing Co., North Haven, Connecticut; Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale, 9.1% alcohol
This big-bodied ale is brewed with lactose and spices. Because of the lactose, a thick sweetness smacks you right away. Even though it is topping 9 percent, it doesn’t taste alcoholic. Spiciness is there, but it’s not a dry spice, so don’t expect a ginger and cinnamon Christmas Ale.
CONNECTICUT: Gingerbread Fog
Abomination Brewing Co., North Haven, Connecticut; Double Dry Hopped India Pale Ale, 9.1% alcohol
Subtle piney aroma, thick mouthfeel, a bit creamy with delicious spicy burn on the end. Deft touch with the spices, which come out in a sort of delayed release on the finish. A lot going on here. Bonus: Beautiful can.
INDIANA: Alpha Klaus
3 Floyds Brewing Co., Munster, Indiana; Porter, 7.3%
Chocolate is subtle in this ale, which is not too sweet and not too spicy. It’s made with English chocolate malt and Mexican sugar, which yields a spicy / minty-like taste. Expect a tad more bitterness from this ale, which has 67 International Bittering Units - rather high for the style. The cult-like brewery is located near the Indiana-Illinois border.
LOUISIANA: Office Party
Abita Brewing Co., Abita Springs, Louisiana; Stout, 6.8%
It’s brewed with cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla and that seasonal favorite spice, nutmeg.
That distinct bittersweet flavor of cocoa is there for sure, and vanilla is dominant but not cloying.
It’s not sweet, and there’s a peppermint-like taste. Cinnamon emerges faintly on the finish.
MARYLAND: Freezin’ Season
Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, Maryland; winter ale, 7.4% alcohol
Not aggressively spiced, but it’s there. There’s a slight bourbon flavor, but it’s not alcoholic tasting. Some spice in the background. Malty and toasty - a nice break from hopped-up ales.
NEW YORK: Fuggly Sweater
Ithaca Brewing Co., Ithaca, New York; Lager, 5.7%
The flavors that are listed in this dark lager - ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon – definitely are on the palate, though don’t expect a big savory beer that demands a snifter. Usually spices like this would be found in a bigger beer, so don’t be surprised if you find this a bit thin, or lighter in body.
OHIO: Cheer
Heart State Brewing Co., Gahanna, Ohio; ale, 7.2% alcohol
The ale is brewed with clove, nutmeg, honey and ginger. Tastes like gingerbread, but clove is definitely coming across. Slight sweetness, but the spices used do come out cleanly.
OHIO: Clark
North High Brewing Co., Columbus, Christmas Ale, 6.9% alcohol
Malty, with cinnamon notes popping through. Spice is there but restrained. Nicely done, proves
again Ohio brewers know how to deftly use spice in seasonal ales. Love the “Christmas Vacation” quote on the side of the can: “Hey Griswold, where do you think you’re gonna put a tree that big?”
OHIO: Home for the Holidays
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Co., Columbus, holiday ale, 7.5%
A cola flavor and sweetness from brown sugar / molasses notes seeps across the palate. Different, and intriguing from a favorite brewery.
OKLAHOMA: Seasick Crocodile
Prairie Artisan Ales, McAlester, Oklahoma; sour ale, 6.3% alcohol
Well, this was bound to happen – a spiced sour. It’s brewed with cranberries, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cinnamon is dominant with notes of apple also front and center, and cranberry gives it a tart twang. The title is a nice lyrical hat tip to “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
This month’s favorite: Clark and Gingerbread Fog.
Our reviews: Most of the beers we buy come from Northeast Ohio retail shops and stores. We choose from Lizardville in Copley, plus Heinen’s, Red, Wine & Brew; Acme, Giant Eagle, Mustard Seed Market, Whole Foods and others.
2022 monthly beer reviews
For January, we tried 6 beers from breweries in 6 states
Warm yourself with these beers for February: 8 sippers for cold nights
For March, we sipped 7 beers from Ohio to Texas to Colorado and beyond
For April, we try 8 very different beers from New York to Ohio and beyond
Beers for May: 11 very good sippers from Canada to Ohio and beyond
Beers for June: As weather warms we try low-alcohol radlers, German lagers, more
Beers for July: 8 beers in moderate alcohol range, perfect for summer
Beers for August: 10 very different sippers
Beers for September: 8 different sippers as summer begins to fade
Beers for October: 10 different beers to consider sipping
Yes, White Castle beer exists: 10 beers to consider sipping in November
Like beer? Check out GiveThemBeer for gifts for beer lovers. The company offers craft-beer baskets, seasonal selections and more.
I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning. Twitter: @mbona30.
Get a jumpstart on the weekend and sign up for Cleveland.com’s weekly “In the CLE” email newsletter, your essential guide to the top things to do in Greater Cleveland. It will arrive in your inbox on Friday mornings - an exclusive to-do list, focusing on the best of the weekend fun. Restaurants, music, movies, performing arts, family fun and more. Just click here to subscribe. All cleveland.com newsletters are free.
Like cool local food + drinks photos and videos? Follow @DineDrinkCLE on Instagram.
Ad Choices