If you are anything like me, you wait until the last minute to pick up most of your holiday necessities, be they plane tickets, gifts, or food/beer. Part of this stems from my experiences as a child. I remember accompanying my parents to the liquor store for these last minute holiday booze runs, back when “getting beer” meant dumping a case of both Amstel and Heineken into the cart and heading out. But now, given the vast amount of good organic and sustainable beer on the market, I feel as if it is actually appropriate to wait until the last minute to get beer as you want to ensure what you are serving compliments your final holiday menu.
Below are a selection of beers that I reviewed this year, or come from a brewery I profiled. Ultimately, as with everything, it comes down to taste and personal preference, but hopefully, one of these will pair nicely with your meal. Most are readily available at finer (and some not) U.S. beer stores.
Enjoy the holidays and the New Year. Revolutionary Spirits will be back on January 11, 2014.
You can follow me on Twitter and Untappd @revospirits.
Brunch/Presents
Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout – If you need to have a beer while you are opening your presents or eating late morning omlets, I would recommend the Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout from the Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki, Japan. We’ve not featured Kiuchi yet, but during the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, the brewery suspended beer production and bottled clean water to help area victims. The stout is creamy with a good deep, rich coffee flavor. Watch out, though, it’s a big guy clocking in at 7.5% ABV. Mac’s Untappd – 5.00/5.00.
Appetizers/Afternoon
Victory Prima Pils – one of my personal favorites, this hoppy, yet sweet pils, is light and flavorful, but should be able to accompany most of your afternoon appetizers. Mac’s Untappd – 4.50/5.00.
Full Sail Session Black Lager – For those looking for “darker” session beer, this one will have some nice roasted malts with a mildly hoppy and dry finish. It’s not heavy at all, and should leave you with plenty of room for both appetizers and dinner. This could also accompany your dinner if you were in a bind. Mac’s Untappd – 4.00/5.00.
Main Couse
Anderson Valley Amber – This versatile amber beer should pair well with most anything you will serve as the main course, from pork to turkey to roast beef to rich sides dishes. Mac’s Untappd – 4.00/5.00.
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis – Although I reviewed the Sierra Summerfest Lager, the Kellerweis, an unfiltered hefeweissen, is better suited towards a holiday dinner, especially if you are having a lighter holiday meat like ham or pork. The Kellerweis has a nice full, spciy body that will not be overpowered by food. Mac’s Untappd – 5.00/5.00.
Samuel Smith’s Organic Ale – Another versatile beer, this world class English pale ale can accompany a number of foods like roast chicken or seafood. Mac’s Untappd – 5.00/5.00 .
Dessert
Smuttynose’s Really Old Brown Dog - Based in Portsmith, NH, Smuttynose is New Hampshire’s leading craft brewery. They are currently building a new green brewery. We’ve not featured them yet, either. They make a lot of good stuff (their IPA is first class, and their Brown Dog brown ale is a great choice for most dinners), but their Really Old Brown Dog (part of their Big Beer Series) is a big, boozy Old Ale, beautifully sweet, with lots of rich, smooth toffee and caramel flavors. This is a great dessert beer. Overall, tastes will vary somewhat depending on the vintage. In addition to a small serving after dinner, try pouring a teaspoon (or two) of this beer over ice cream instead of syrup. Mac’s Untappd – Will vary depending on vintage, but generally speaking, 4.00/5.00.
New Year’s
Saison Dupont – Rather crack open a bottle of beer at midnight? Try Saison Dupont’s Vielle Provision, as the the Avril reviewed in the article might be a bit too mild. The Vielle Provision has a light, effervescent body, and peppery finish to make it a nice substitute for champagne. Also, for those on a budget, I guarantee that a bottle of this will be slightly less expensive then a bottle of Dom. Mac’s Untappd – 5.00/5.00.
