{"id":8962,"date":"2022-12-26T16:59:39","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T22:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/?p=8962"},"modified":"2023-01-09T14:02:19","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T20:02:19","slug":"12-beers-of-christmas-2021-reprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/golf\/lifestyle\/8962\/12-beers-of-christmas-2021-reprise","title":{"rendered":"12 Beers of Christmas 2021 Reprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Dec. 26, 2022]–<\/em>It\u2019s that most wonderful time of the year, time to rev up the 2022\u00a012 Beers of Christmas<\/strong>. I would have started the engine sooner, but the monkey wrench of Covid put the clinker into those plans by stuffing up my nose and shutting down the tasting apparatus.<\/p>\n

Enough of my troubles. Let\u2019s review: each year since 2012 I\u2019ve tasted and written about 12 holiday ales or winter warmers, trying but usually failing to do it all in 12 consecutive days. Every beer has been different, even the perennial lead-off, the Anchor Christmas Ale, since its recipe changes every year.<\/p>\n\"2021<\/a>\n

Granted, I\u2019ve occasionally snuck in an extra here and there, but to keep it neat, that\u2019s 120 beers from around the world over the last ten years. So might as well keep it going, if I can lay my hands on 12 more. I haven\u2019t yet, partially because it\u2019s becoming more difficult to easily obtain brews I haven\u2019t had before.<\/p>\n

I did request some beers from brewers. Several acquiesced and some came through; some apparently reneged. So it may be difficult to keep my usual promise of plowing through all 12 beers by the actual twelfth day of Christmas, January 5. And this may be the first all-U.S. collection.<\/p>\n

Last year I did a sort of Greatest Hits list, and that\u2019s still up at SI.com<\/a>.\u00a0 But I note with sadness that one of the beers on that list is no longer available, the Holiday Ale from the Spencer Brewery. The sole U.S. Trappist brewery is no more, as the Massachusetts monastery decided to shutter its brewing operations.<\/p>\n

As always, I warm up for the 12 Beers exercise with some previously featured evergreen brews that have not changed their recipe over the many years of their existence, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale <\/a> and Deschutes Brewery Jubelale<\/a>. The latter, which first appeared on the list in 2014, resurfaced in 2021 but only because the brewery was kind enough to send me its Imperial version, barrel-aged after an infusion of cherries.<\/p>\n

The 2022 Jubelale is in the photo up top (and in the glass), along with the Anchor, Celebration and two alumni: last year\u2019s 3 Floyds Alpha Klause<\/a> and 2012\u2019s Winter Lager from Samuel Adams<\/a>.<\/p>\n\"jubelale\"<\/a>\n

The Jubelale does change its label every year with an original piece of artwork from, up to this point, local or Oregon artists. This year\u2019s label above is from Francisco Morales of Portland. But for next year Deschutes has sent out an open call to artists anywhere in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Morales is a freelance Latinx illustrator and designer, his Instagram site here<\/a>. Morales grew up in the arid climes of southern California\u2019s Coachella Valley. He said his label was inspired by his first experience of snow and winter in Oregon: \u201cI\u2019ll never forget my first trip to the Pacific Northwest, and nothing would prepare me for the winter and snowfall where the sound dampens and light changes, as if you are on another planet. As a collaborator for this year\u2019s Jubelale design, this piece attempts to capture the emotions of that extraterrestrial feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Francisco<\/a>

Francisco Morales with this year’s Jubelale label artwork<\/p><\/div>\n

As for last year\u2019s beers, it was a splendid earthbound crop. There were two contenders in the low (or at least lower) ABV running, the Shiner Holiday Cheer and the Skygazer Watercolors Christmas Creamee. Both came in at 5.4%, both were laden with fruit, yet they were poles apart stylistically. Shiner tasted heavily of peaches, but was a traditional, clear brew. The Skygazer was laden with raspberries, but was an opaque, well, creamee of a beer. No worries, as there are few rules as to what constitutes a holiday beer.<\/p>\n

They are often strong, and the rest of the roster clocked in at 7% ABV or above. The lidlifting champ was the Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper at 10.9%, though I sort of cheated that day and added the Evil Twin A\u00fan M\u00e1s Chili Jes\u00fas (12%) honorarius.<\/p>\n

If all of last year\u2019s beers were well done, I could have lived fine without either the Skygazer or the Southern Tier Frosted Sugar Cookie, only because they were too sweet for my taste. Both were the beers they set out to be. The Greater Good Imperial Brewing Gingerbread Ale skirted being overly sweet, though I would have preferred a bit more heft with that one.<\/p>\n

My favorites were probably the Deschutes Cherry Jubelale, a cherry-laden version of the annual Deschutes Jubelale, and the pFriem Belgian-style Christmas Ale, a no-nonsense brew that was simply superbly made. The N\u2019ice Chouffe was right up there, too.<\/p>\n

I hope to have as many good ones this year, just as I hope my sense of smell recovers more fully. If not, there\u2019s always context! For now, here\u2019s the complete list of all the beers from the last ten years, with links to each entry:<\/p>\n

<<<>>><\/p>\n

The 12 Beers of Christmas<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2021<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2021<\/a><\/strong>
\n2 Shiner Holiday Cheer<\/a>
\n3 Skygazer Watercolors Christmas Creamee<\/a>
\n4 3 Floyds Alpha Klause<\/a>
\n5 Deschutes Cherry Jubelale<\/a>
\n6 Four Quarters Krampus Nacht<\/a>
\n7 pFriem Belgian-style Christmas Ale<\/a>
\n8 d\u2019Achouffe N’ice Chouffe<\/a>
\n9 Ommegang Everything Nice<\/a>
\n10 Southern Tier Frosted Sugar Cookie<\/a>
\n11 Greater Good Gingerbread Ale<\/a>
\n12 Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper<\/a>
\n (Evil Twin A\u00fan M\u00e1s Chili Jes\u00fas)<\/a>
\n<\/strong>12 Beers of Christmas 2021 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2020\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2020<\/a><\/strong>
\n 2 Liambru Tasty Arctic Al<\/a><\/strong>
\n 3 Four Quarters Buffalo Plaid<\/a><\/strong>
\n 4 Fantome Hiver<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5 Einbecker Winter Bock<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6 Glazen Toren Canaster Winterscotch<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 Prairie Artisan Seasick Crocodile<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Straffe Hendrick Xmas Blend<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 Shipyard Prelude<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 Pipeworks Rudolph vs. Unicorn<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 Harpoon The Long Thaw<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 Mad Elf Grand Cru<\/a>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2020 Reprise<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2019<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2019<\/a><\/strong>
\n2 Brooklyn Winter Lager<\/a><\/strong>
\n3\u00a0Stony Creek Winter Weight<\/a>
\n4 To \u00d8l Santa\u2019s Secret \/ Frost Bite<\/a>
\n5 Four Quarters The Gifts of the Magi<\/a>
\n6 Weird Beard Brew Co. Black Christmas<\/a>
\n7 Struise Tsjeeses Winter Ale<\/a>
\n8 Wormtown Blizzard of 78<\/a>
\n9 Shmaltz Chanukah, Hanukkah: Pass the Beer<\/a>
\n10 Avery Old Jubilation<\/a>
\n11 Trois Dames Winter Sour<\/a>
\n12 Berkshire Brewing Holidale<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2019 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\"2018<\/a>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2018<\/a><\/strong>
\n2 Mikkeller Win Bic<\/a><\/strong>
\n3 To \u00d8l Santastoque<\/a><\/strong>
\n4 Samichlaus Helles<\/a><\/strong>
\n5 Berkshire Brewing Holidale<\/a><\/strong>
\n6 Tro\u00ebg\u2019s Blizzard of Hops<\/a><\/strong>
\n7 Samuel Smith Winter Welcome<\/a><\/strong>
\n8 Anderson Valley Winter Solstice<\/a><\/strong>
\n9 Hermit Thrush Dark at 4:30<\/a><\/strong>
\n10 Prairie Artisan Ales Christmas Bomb<\/a><\/strong>
\n11 The Bruery 11 Pipers Piping<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 De Dolle Stille Nacht<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2018 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"12<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2017<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n 2 Rogue Yellow Snow Pilsner<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n 3 Baird Jubilation Ale<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n 4 Thiriez Bi\u00e8re de No\u00ebl<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n 5 Saison Saint M\u00e9dard Cuv\u00e9e de No\u00ebl<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n 6 Ommegang Winter Is Here\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 Birra del Borgo 25 Dodici<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Port Brewing Santa\u2019s Little Helper<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 Lost Abbey Gnoel de Abbey<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 N\u00f8gne \u00d8 Special Holiday Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 Upslope Christmas Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 Mikkeller Ris a la M\u2019ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2017 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"12<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2016 <\/a>
\n2 Great Lakes Christmas Ale<\/a>
\n3 New Belgium Anne-Fran\u00e7oise Spiced Imperial Dark Ale<\/a>
\n4 Spencer Trappist Holiday Ale<\/a>
\n5 Le Trou Du Diable La Grivoise De No\u00ebl<\/a>
\n6 Blaugies La Moneuse Special Winter Ale<\/a>
\n7 Aegir Bryggeri Julebrygg<\/a>
\n8 Dieu du Ciel Solstice d\u2019hiver<\/a>
\n9 Haandbryggeriet Nissefar<\/a>
\n10 Allagash Hibernal Fluxus 2016<\/a>
\n11 Kerstmutske Christmas Nightcap<\/a>
\n12 Scaldis No\u00ebl Premium<\/a>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2016 Reprise<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The 12 Beers of Christmas 2015<\/p><\/div>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2015<\/a><\/strong>
\n 2 Jewbelation 19<\/a><\/strong>
\n 3 Warsteiner Winter Special Edition<\/a><\/strong>
\n 4 Jolly Traveler Winter Shandy<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5 Magic Hat Feast of Fools<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6 Page 24 Bi\u00e8re de No\u00ebl<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 AleSmith Double Red India Pale Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Smuttynose Smistletoe<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 Wychwood Bah Humbug Christmas Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 Ridgeway Lump of Coal<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 De Ranke P\u00e8re N\u00f6el<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 The Bruery 8 Maids-a-Milking<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2015 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The 12 Beers of Christmas 2014<\/p><\/div>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2014<\/a><\/strong>
\n 2 Harpoon UFO Gingerland<\/a><\/strong>
\n 3 Hanukkah, Chanukah Pass the Beer<\/a><\/strong>
\n 4 Guinness The 1759<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5 Samuel Adams Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6 Elysian Bifrost Winter Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 Ommegang Adoration Dark Winter Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Deschutes Jubelale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 Petrus Winter #9 Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 3 Sheeps Ewephoria<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 Baladin N\u00f6el<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 St. Bernardus Christmas Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n12 Beers of Christmas 2014 Reprise<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"12<\/a>

12 Beers of Christmas 2013<\/p><\/div>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2013<\/a><\/strong>
\n 2 Tro\u00ebg\u2019s The Mad Elf Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 3 Victory\u2019s Winter Cheers<\/a><\/strong>
\n 4 Magic Hat\u2019s G-Thing<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5 10 Barrel Brewing Pray for Snow<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6 Corsendonk Christmas Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 Mahr\u2019s Br\u00e4u Christmas Bock<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Sixpoint Global Warmer<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 N\u00f6el des G\u00e9ants<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 Mikkeller Hoppy Lovin\u2019 Christmas<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 Harpoon Winter Warmer<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 Dupont Avec les Bons Voeux<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 Beers of Christmas 2013 Reprise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\"st<\/a>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2012<\/a><\/strong>
\n 2 Nogne \u00d8 Winter Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 3 Samuel Adams Winter Lager<\/a><\/strong>
\n 4 Southern Tier 2XMAS<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5 St. Feuillien Cuv\u00e9e de No\u00ebl<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6 Delirium No\u00ebl<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7 Newcastle Winter IPA<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8 Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9 Gouden Carolus No\u00ebl<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10 Otter Creek Winter Red Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11 Magic Hat Wooly<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12 Element Winter Ion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

12 Beers of Christmas 2022 1: Anchor Our Special Ale<\/a> ><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Dec. 26, 2022]–It\u2019s that most wonderful time of the year, time to rev up the 2022\u00a012 Beers of Christmas. I… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":9191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[939,627,18],"tags":[210761,992256,632,1002722,720,5129,749,1035375,26,174722,174725,676069,2045,975741],"class_list":["post-8962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beer-on-tap","category-tap-beer-of-the-week","category-lifestyle","tag-winter-warmer","tag-jubelale","tag-anchor","tag-12-beers-of-christmas","tag-sierra-nevada","tag-deschutes-brewery","tag-christmas","tag-francisco-morales","tag-oregon","tag-our-special-ale","tag-celebration-ale","tag-christmas-beers","tag-bend","tag-12-days-of-christmas"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/12\/2021-Reprise.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8962"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9327,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8962\/revisions\/9327"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}