Dark Star's Espresso Stout is lovely. Coffee beers tend to be some hideous hybrid; the Dark Star one has just enough you know it's there.
However, come December, Clare and I start hauling the dust-covered boxes containing bottles of Fuller's Vintage Ale out from under the bed. We've got a set going back to 2002 this year...
My favorite seasonal is Delirium Noel, which I wait patiently for restocking every year. <3
I enjoyed Shiner Holiday Cheer when I was at a seasonal tasting last week, but I'm partial to fruity beers as a rule and the heavy pecans and peaches probably make this not for everyone.
Another that is probably hard to find outside TX is the Rahr and Sons Winter Warmer. I wasn't so fond of it the first year, but they've improved greatly.
Have you sampled any of Franconia's offerings? I don't know whether they're doing a seasonal, but their Maibock was served at Trinity Hall...erm...it might have been last December, actually (it was dreary and raining and I was in town for the weekend), and it was dark and chewy.
I think they do brewery tours much like Rahr and Sons...here's a linky-pooh: http://www.franconiabrewing.com/tours.html I imagine this one's closer to yourself and the missus than Rahr and Sons, and with Suzy in town...
Around this time of year I really get back into enjoying dark, toasty stouts and porters. (Founder's Breakfast Stout and a local Highland Brewing Black Mocha Stout are special favorites). I'm not usually into Seasonal or Winter beers because of the spice. I did try the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale this year, the only spice comes from the piney hops. *yum* So, the I checked on this Festive Ale and it looks pretty good. Thanks for the tip.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-01 05:39 pm (UTC)I'm also partial to barleywines: Dieu du Ciel's Solstice d'Hiver and Mill Street's annual barleywine are both pretty awesome.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-01 06:08 pm (UTC)In a non-beer-but-still-alcoholic vein, a heated German gluhwein is particularly good at keeping the chill at bay.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-02 05:15 pm (UTC)However, come December, Clare and I start hauling the dust-covered boxes containing bottles of Fuller's Vintage Ale out from under the bed. We've got a set going back to 2002 this year...
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-01 08:21 pm (UTC)I enjoyed Shiner Holiday Cheer when I was at a seasonal tasting last week, but I'm partial to fruity beers as a rule and the heavy pecans and peaches probably make this not for everyone.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-01 08:34 pm (UTC)Most of their beers are top notch.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-02 02:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-02 03:05 pm (UTC)I do recall enjoying it.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-03 03:22 pm (UTC)I imagine this one's closer to yourself and the missus than Rahr and Sons, and with Suzy in town...
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-03 04:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-02 03:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-03 02:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-03 08:38 pm (UTC)