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.
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Posted under beer events
This post was written by Margaret on December 28, 2009


t 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.













