12 Beers of Christmas 2023 – 8: Berkshire Brewing Holidale

Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder (not unknown in the world of beer, but here in his role as a first century naturalist) was probably the first to note the use of allspice, which he referred to as Jamaican Pepper. And certainly the spice is a key ingredient of Jamaican cuisine. So, Holidale, mon.

Because it’s relatively easy for me to find and that the recipe changes every year, the Berkshire Brewing Company’s Holidale has shown up here before, both in 2018 and 2020, and there’s ample history about the brewery, established in 1994, in those posts. The beers didn’t disappoint in those years, so here we are again.

And, once again, this is really a quite wonderful brew, a terrific one to have to see the year out. It’s pretty much the height of our celebration, since we’re stay-at-homes for yet another New Year’s Eve. It seems to be our new tradition. I think we’ve had Chinese food and watched a movie for four out of the last five years. I know we’re not alone in this regard; last year when I went to pick up our dinner Pan Asian in Brattleboro was a frenzied madhouse of piling-up takeout bags.

So I don’t think the local establishments will miss us, as we’re actually skipping the Chinese food this year. Lynn wanted to have more of the broccoli cheese soup I made last night. So be it. (I made it in the Instant Pot, which I tend to call the Instant Plot. Since Lynn bought me the implement for my birthday a couple of years back I’ve taken over virtually all the cooking. But not the spaghetti meat sauce she makes for our Christmas dinners. I know my limits.)

There’s a limit to how much of this year’s Holidale one should reasonably drink, as I picked it up in 16-oz. cans and the beer is a rollicking 11% ABV. It’s a clear deep amber brew with a copious head and a wildly fragrant nose, as one might expect from a beer brewed with allspice, juniper berries, sweet orange peel, and Belgian candi syrup. And presumably, as a Triple IPA, with shovelfuls of hops.

But it’s not a hop forward beer. The nose is indisputably allspice and juniper. And the initial taste is equally spiced and peppery, but also rich in malt sweetness, making for quite a taste explosion and a full, coating mouthfeel. All in a good way. The brewery suggests there might be flavors of citrus and stone fruit as well, honey, caramel and biscuit.

Maybe. Anyway, it’s a symphony of a beer, which makes our movie choice of the night, “Maestro,” look pretty promising. Let’s hope 2024 lives up to being promising as well, and Happy New Year to all.

Name: Holidale 2023
Brewer: Berkshire Brewing Company, South Deerfield, Massachusetts
Style: Triple IPA
ABV: 11%
Availability: Seasonally in MA, CT
For More Information: berkshire-brewing.com