Christmas Weekend in Review

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.

Sunday lead us to enjoy more holiday cheer than the previous days. Wanting to have something more in the spirit of the season, we toasted with a hoppy and spiced Pike Auld Acquaintance, a hearty Goose Island Christmas Ale, and a Laurelwood Vinter Varmer (a brew that undoubtedly lives up to its name) that we had squirreled away for a time such as this. Thinking of all those who make the holidays a special time here in Brewpublic, we wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas filled with love, prosperity, and warming cheer.