With Christmas just 10 days away, the beer experts at Chicagoland's premier distributor Louis Glunz Beer Inc. in Lincolnwood, Ill., thought now would be a great time to remind you of their third annual "Twelve Beers of Christmas" list. Designed to help beer lovers navigate the beer aisle in time for party-planning and gift-giving, the recommendations are based on a sampling of the dozens of limited-edition seasonals. The sampling was led by Ed Kane, Glunz's on-premise sales manager and a brewmaster."Beers brewed for the holidays are much-anticipated by better-beer lovers, many of whom cellar them from year to year to conduct vertical tastings, and they are always quick to sell out," Kane said in a press statement. "The gift packs, in particular, offer a unique opportunity to sample a brewery's best in a single package, and many include custom glassware for toasting. Our top picks among this year's offerings are based on the quality and value for the drinking experience, but we always encourage people to try something new and this is a great season to do just that!"
Many Christmas beers are strong ales, robust and malty with higher alcohol contents--which means they go great with hearty roasted meats and other fare of the season. Check out the suggestions below from Glunz Beer Culinary Council member Lacey Griebeler, or experiment on your own. If you have a favorite winter beer and food pairing, we'd love to hear about it in the comments section.
Prices listed for Glunz's top picks of the season are suggested retail. For product descriptions and a list of nearby retailers by ZIP code, visit www.glunzbeers.com.
1. Chimay Grand Reserve Magnum, Abbey of Scourment, Belgium - $34.99/1.5L btl
A 150 cl bottle contains Chimay Blue, a dark Trappist beer with a strong fragrance and deep, rich flavor that only improves with time. The Grand Reserve Magnum is much more than Chimay Blue in a large bottle, however; a large volume of beer affects the changing tastes resulting from the second fermentation of bottled beer, instilling it with more body and smoothness. The flavor improves with age if stored properly, which is upright in a cool, dark area.
Try with: Chimay cheese
2. Three Floyds Alpha Klaus, Three Floyds Brewery, Indiana - $8.99/22Z btl
Alpha King's festive cousin, Alpha Klaus is a big American Christmas porter brewed with English chocolate malt, Mexican sugar and, of course, tons of strange American hops.
Try with: roasted beef tenderloin
3. Southern Tier Old Man Winter, Southern Tier Brewing, New York - $8.99/6pk-12Z btls
A rich and complex amalgam of hops and barley that throws a deep and inviting hue with a thickness that clings to the glass and the warmth of an open flame. Ideal for cellaring as this Old Man does become wiser with age.
Try with: rack of lamb
4. Samuel Smith Winter Welcome, Samuel Smith Brewery, England - $4.99/18.7Z btl
A honey amber-colored beer with a creamy head of small bubbles, a floral aroma and delicious malt flavor with great finesse; Winter Welcome is vintage-dated with a special label each year. Serve in a traditional tankard for the holidays.
Try with: brown sugar-glazed ham with cooked apples
5. Gulden Draak Vintage 2008, Van Steenberge Brewery, Belgium - $13.00/25.4Z btl
A dark brown Triple Ale, which makes it an exception among the Belgian Triples. The second fermentation offers the nice creamy head, the full body and all the vitamins of the centuries old brewers yeast. It balances a natural malt, toffee-like sweetness with a mellow happiness and some hoppy accents; a beer to sip and enjoy slowly as dessert.
Try with: roast turkey with sage
6. Corsendonk Christmas Ale, Corsendonk Abbey, Belgium - $9.99/750ML btl
A rich, dark, joyous brew with an aroma of chocolate malt and spices, this Christmas Ale is reminiscent of the wonderful smells of holiday baking in Mom's kitchen.
Try with: fruitcake or other spiced fruit-based dessert
7. Capital Winter Skål, Capital Brewery, Wisconsin - $10.50/6pk-12Z btls
An amber-hued beer loaded with a great depth of specialty malt character and smooth hop flavors, guaranteed to make one welcome the onslaught of the cold.
Try with: beef chili topped with Wisconsin white cheddar
8. New Holland Cabin Fever, New Holland Brewing Co., Michigan - $9.99/6pk-12Z btls
A toasty, smooth-drinking brown ale; the warming flavors of its dark malts make winter a season of abundance.
Try with: pot roast or beef stew
9. N'Ice Chouffe 2008, Brasserie d'Achoufe, Belgium - $12.99/25.4Z btl
This vintage offers a rich, malty taste, a spicy (thyme) and fruity (dried grapes) aroma, and a complex vinous fruity palate, which is complimented by malt overtones.
Try with: roasted squab with thyme
10. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, Brouwerig St. Bernard, Belgium - $11.40/750ML btl
Previously only available in Denmark and Belgium, this special holiday beer of 10 percent alcohol by volume, is for savoring, and is characterized by its deep dark color with a creamy, thick head and a full almost velvety taste with a fruity nose.
Try with: oven-roast beef
11. Anchor Christmas Ale, Anchor Brewing, California - $11.99/6 pk-12Z btls
Since 1975, Anchor has brewed a distinctive and unique "Christmas Ale" using a different recipe every year and a different tree on the collectible label, symbolizing winter solstice.
Try with: gingerbread
12. Breckenridge Christmas Ale, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado - $10.08/6 pk-12Z btls
The chill of a Colorado high-country winter calls for a beer with extra flavor and strength. At over 7 percent alcohol by volume, with a sturdy texture and rich flavors of caramel and chocolate, this holiday seasonal is the fermented equivalent of a good fire!
Try with: pork loin
Happy holidays, from Glunz!
