Brightly Creative Names ‘Hops for the Holidays’ Beer Picks
Posted November 5, 2020
Part of our tough job as a food and beverage agency is to taste test the product. We travel the country (when possible), learning from mead makers, brewers, distillers, bakers and more who educate us through formulas, trial and error stories and tours. Sipping the finished result is arguably the best part of the job, and in the case of this blog, we’re going to talk about our favorite beers that we’re buzzing about this holiday season.
Keith says that no new releases have caught his eye yet, as COVID has made him retreat to his old favorites that he’s ignored while chasing the next great winter beer. “The weather has gotten cold in St. Louis, and that means I’m switching from saisons to stouts. So far, I’ve just opened bottles of two of my favorites: Abraxas by Perennial Artisan Ales and Liquid Spiritual Delight by Second Shift.”
Jasmyne can’t stop seeing Yuengling and Hershey’s chocolate porter collaboration on social media! “I’m not a chocolate fan but this beer sounds good. When I have a beer, it’s more on the lighter side so I’m interested in trying Ecliptic + Russian River’s Pinot Noir Barrel-Aged Belgian-Style Golden Ale!
It’s barrel-aged stout season for Jonathan! “I’m learning more and more about what Oregon and Washington breweries offer during the winter season. So, I don’t have anything that I am looking forward to except all of it.
That being said, my go-to style of beer is a saison or farmhouse. Aside from Saison du Pont, it’s hard to find a well-crafted saison out here that hasn’t been brett’d, spontaneously fermented, barrel aged, dry-hopped. So, you gotta roll with the punches. Here are three of my favorites:
1. Holy Mountain — Witchfinder (w/brettanomyces) THE BEST Brett-Saison I’ve had in a long long time.
2. Dwinell Country Ales — Field Hop (w/yarrow)
3. Little Beast Brewing — Wolf Camp (dry-hopped)
Alison wishes she was sipping on Troegs Mad Elf Holiday Ale this holiday season. “The spiced holiday ale is a very coveted beer, but I was fortunate to snag a bottle while living in Pennsylvania four years ago. I always ask Santa to put a six pack in his big red sack, but I have had no such luck. The beer is only available once a year. It is a cheery ruby-red in color, has notes of cinnamon, clove and allspice and is made with loads of honey! Instead, I will share in the communal bottles of beer family members are responsible for bringing to the Thanksgiving and Christmas table.
As for yours truly? I’ve never been a beer drinker. But, anything is possible in 2020, and with these great suggestions I may have to branch out of my spirits comfort zone and try a few. ‘Tis the season!
Want to learn more about formulating beer with honey or need more suggestions? Contact us.
Tags: beer, Brightly Creative, Christmas beer, holiday beer, honey beer, seasonal beer, Thanksgiving beer
CATEGORY: Beer, Food and Beverage
