Gigantic Brewing & Weird Portland United Toast to Holiday Magic with Santa Clones Winter Warmer
It’s always exciting when the latest beer collaboration from Gigantic Brewing and Weird Portland United is announced. With the holiday season just a few weeks away, this collaboration, Santa Clones Winter Warmer, is one that will delight fans of both Santa Claus and Winter Warmers!
The new Santa Clones Winter Warmer honors the annual Portland holiday quirky tradition of Santa Clones. For the uninitiated, that’s 400 vintage 1960s era blow-mold Santa figurines that mysteriously pop up in secret spots each year around Portland. And this year, you can experience the wonder of it all in a frothy beer from Gigantic Brewing.
Santa Clones Winter Warmer is the ninth beer in the Weirdtastic Beer Series brewed to help support the Weird Portland United, the non-profit led by The Unipiper. The beer is described as a deliciously malty, rich beer layered with caramel and a hint of dark fruit that’s crafted for cozy, festive vibes. Sitting at 7.5% ABV, it is packaged in 4-pack, 16 ounce cans and is also available on draft during the upcoming holiday season!
“Our goal with this beer was to craft the ultimate holiday sipper—one we’re sure Santa would reach for on cold winter nights at the North Pole,” says Ben Love, Gigantic Brewmaster. “This winter warmer is rich and toasty, with layers of caramel sweetness and just the right touch of warming alcohol to keep spirits bright.”
If you want to get on this art and beer, you can sip it first at the Santa Clones Winter Warmer launch party at Gigantic Brewing’s Hawthorne location on Friday, November 8. The fun kicks off at 3:00pm and continues until 10:00pm, featuring a dazzling Santa Clones display in the pub’s Portrait Room, a chance to meet Portland’s own Santa Clones artist Chris Willis, and, of course, an appearance by the one-and-only Unipiper. If you can’t make it Friday, don’t worry—the Santa Clones exhibit will stay up all weekend for maximum holiday cheer!
The person behind the Santa Clones is local Portland artist Chris Wills. His Santa Clones display has grown each year to become a city-loved attraction each winter season! Willis assembles his collection of blow-mold Santas in a top-secret Portland location, bringing an extra dose of festive weirdness to the city. And this weekend you can take in the view at Gigantic Brewing Hawthorne.
Whether you’re a fan of the festive Santas, great beer, or keeping Portland delightfully weird, grab a pint of Santa Clones Winter Warmer and toast to Portland’s jolliest holiday tradition!
Gigantic Brewing Hawthorne – 4343 SE Hawthorne Blvd – Portland, OR.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.