So...seasonals?

[youngraven]

What are we imbibing to drive the cold away? I'm fond of Sweetwater's Festive Ale.

Comments

[metawidget]

Dominus Vobiscum Double (link in French) is a really nice spiced beer from Charlevoix, Quebec.

I'm also partial to barleywines: Dieu du Ciel's Solstice d'Hiver and Mill Street's annual barleywine are both pretty awesome.

[evilpyrate]

I was rather pleased with the Espresso Stout I tried recently. I think it was the one from Wichita Brewing Company.

In a non-beer-but-still-alcoholic vein, a heated German gluhwein is particularly good at keeping the chill at bay.

[damerell]

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...

[caltastic]

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.

[evilpyrate]

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.

Most of their beers are top notch.

[youngraven]

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.

[evilpyrate]

I've had some Franconia, though I couldn't say which.

I do recall enjoying it.

[youngraven]

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...

[evilpyrate]

Oh NO! Not in that briar patch...

[h4hahn]

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.  

[youngraven]

Haha - it's the spice that attracts me to the winter seasonals. Possibly I can trace it back to my mum's penchant for mulled wine. XD

[ilanarama]

I totally agree, 'tis the season for stouts and porters!