Christmas has passed but not without allowing us the pleasure of spending time with family and friends over some good beers. After maybe overindulging a little throughout the past couple of weekends, we decided to take it easy over this holiday weekend. That being said,  we still allowed ourselves some pretty awesome beers. The festivities started at my sister’s house for her annual Christmas potluck where family and friends gathered to enjoy holiday cheer. While the beer selection was not actually top notch, we did plan ahead and brought a bottle of the second release of the Nogne, Jolly Pumpkin, and Stone Collaborator Special Holiday Ale. This beer featured an assortment of Holiday inspired ingredients like chestnuts and spices, and was a treat to drink on Christmas, and provided a nice roasty flavor that was followed by the spicy sweet taste of Christmas tree and sage.

After partaking in our first potluck of the evening, we were off to our second potluck at Ezra aka Samurai Artist’s house. Here, the homebrews that were brought for sharing among friends were the highlights. The top mentions of the night included a Chocolate Peanut Butter Imperial Stout that Ezra brewed.  It was like no other beer I have ever experienced before. This rich brew reminded me of a chocolate, peanut butter milkshake and a small pour was of this thick offering went a long way. A Citra hopped Pale ale that our friend (and 2009 S.N.O.B. poster boy) Ritch Marvin brewed was also a treat to sample.  Furthermore, an Orval clone homebrew that Ritch acquired in a trade from someone in the Midwest was the perfect beer for capping off a great night.

On Saturday, after a quiet day of walking around town and enjoying the sunny but chilly air, we wondered over to our local beer shop, The BeerMongers. Remembering the Orval clone we had enjoyed the night before, we had to sit down and quaff the real deal served in appropriate glasswear. The BeerMongers really know how to do it right and the relaxed atmosphere was a great way to unwind on Boxing Day. The BeerMongers offer a great selection of bottle beers and a few on tap for a very reasonable price. If you have not checked the place out, it is an understatement to say that this is something that should be done soon. Being a quiet place to sit and enjoy a brew, you can always chat with the friendly owners, Sean and Craig. We had one more brew before we left the shop. It was Oud Beersel Oude Geuze, decked out with a tart sharpness and all the sourness we were looking for.

Boxing Day is a bank holiday celebrated in many predominantly Christian countries such as Scotland, England, Australia, Germany, and our neighbors to the north in Canada. Though not an officially recognized holiday in the United States, many people in the northern part of the country celebrate this day after Christmas in the tradition of giving gifts to those less fortunate.

Our friend and Quebecer Brewpublican Marc Demeule has given us new meaning to this special day. Earlier this year, Marc visited Portland and like one particular bearded old man from the north, brought with him a bounty of gifts right up our alley. A box of wonderfully assorted craft beer from his homeland brought warmth to our winter holiday season. Honestly, is there anything like handsomely labeled, delicious out-of-market beer for the holidays?

Here’s a look at some of our favorite brews that Marc delivered to us that served up perfectly for these chilly times.

Cheers to you and yours for the holiday season. We put our ear to the ground…well, actually, we’ve been on Twitter…and here’s some interesting blurbs we’ve snatched from Cyberspace.

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Well, it’s the holidays and what better time for a holiday version of “You Might Be A Beer SNOB If…”  Here’s 25 telltale signs that the craft malted goodness means a lot to you.

1. You gift wrap beer.

Can you believe that it is already December?! Seemed like just yesterday we were geeking out on fresh hop brews, and not too long before that, the Oregon Brewers Festival brought a grip of interesting brews to the forefront. Well, time flies when you’re having great craft beer, and here we are again, and as expected, things don’t really ever taper off in Beervana. In fact, this time of year, the bigger, bolder, and more demanding brews light up the long periods of dark and warm the hearts of Northwest palates as the days grow colder.

As you should know, the Holiday Ale Festival kicks of Wednesday December 2 at Portland’s Pioneer Court House Square and is undoubtedly the biggest and best winter beer festival on the West Coast, which basically means it is the best cold season beer festival anywhere in the country. Not only will there be more than 50 beers pouring, but these beers are mindblowing, liver-bending, and utterly ballsy. Under the tented canopy where its warm and spirits are jovial, you can count on getting your ass kicked if you try to drink all the beers in one setting. That is why the organizers (God bless their souls) have extended the weekend to a five day blowout. If you thought thanks giving had your insides challenges, just wait til this wreckin’ ball of malty fun swings through.

Those of you who have made a point to attend each year have recognized the event’s expansion: more beers, more taps, more room, more fun. This year, in addition to the slough of killer beers on display for your quaffing pleasure, the Holiday Ale Fest crew has dug deep into the cellars to extricate additional rare aged kegs from years past. Starting on Wednesday December 2nd at 2pm, limited release brews will rear their heads for the real geeks periodically throughout the festival. Included in this exclusive list is a 2005 Samichlaus, 2007 and 2008 vintages of Hair of the Dog’s Jim K blends, a 2003 Bridgeport Knucklehead,  2008 Alaskan Smoked Porter, 2006 Allagash Curieux, 2007 Scaldis Noel, 2007 Cascade Baltic Porter,  2006 Walking Man Ho Ho Homo Erectus, and others. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

The big dogs at Double Mountain never skimp on killer beer. Hell, even their Dapper Dan brown ale is dope. Tonight you can join DM brewmaster Matt Swihart at the best bar on Division Street, Victory. Here, owner and barkeep Yoni and the crew have been pining for a release party, so here it is. Deck the halls, jingle all the way (is it even Thanksgiving yet?), and have a cup of cheer aka Double Mountain’s seasonal hoppy beast known as “Fa La La La La.”

Says DM’s Charlie Devereux in a recent press release “Fa La La La La is our winter ale offering, packed with enough rich malt and Centennial hops to fill Santa’s toy bag.” Though Swihart’s beer and presence are the real presents, t-shirts will be raffled off (”Don we now our gay apparel”). Devereax warns “This one should be packed, so make it over early if you can.”