{"id":9503,"date":"2023-12-22T13:05:45","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T19:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/?p=9503"},"modified":"2024-01-04T19:30:35","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T01:30:35","slug":"12-beers-of-christmas-2022-reprise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/golf\/lifestyle\/9503\/12-beers-of-christmas-2022-reprise","title":{"rendered":"12 Beers of Christmas 2022 Reprise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

[Dec. 22, 2023]–<\/em>The news arrived two days ago that U.S. Steel has agreed to be acquired by the Japanese company Nippon Steel, a deal worth close to $15 billion. One can only hope it all works out better for U.S. Steel than it did for the Anchor Brewing Co., purchased by Sapporo in 2017 (for $85 million).<\/p>\n

Other than a wretched re-branding in 2021 the Japanese mega-brewery seemed to be keeping a relative hands-off approach to the San Francisco brewery, which has been around for 127 years, roughly the last fifty as a beacon of the craft brewery movement. But things went sideways this summer, when it was announced in June that Anchor would no longer distribute outside of California and even worse\u2014for our concerns here\u2014not produce its Christmas beer, Our Special Ale, for 2023.<\/p>\n

\"Some<\/a>

Some 2023 Anchor Christmas Ale was briefly available at the brewery. I didn’t get any. (Photo from Untappd)<\/p><\/div>\n

That was bad enough. But it was only a cruel teaser. Barely a month later the ax fell altogether, and Sapporo shuttered the brewery completely and prepared to sell off all the equipment.<\/p>\n

It was a shock to the system of those of us who acknowledge Anchor as a critical player, really one of the first, in launching the entire craft brewing movement.<\/p>\n

Well, this isn\u2019t really a story about Anchor, though its story isn\u2019t necessarily over; a group called the Anchor SF Cooperative is raising funds to try to acquire at least the brewery\u2019s intellectual properties. And other potential buyers are said to be interested. One can hope the brewery, and its Christmas ale, will rise again.<\/p>\n

This is a story about the 12 Beers of Christmas, my annual wacky endeavor to try and write some kind of cogent review of 12 holiday ales or winter warmers in as many days if possible (it usually isn\u2019t). This is also the twelfth straight year I\u2019ve done this, meaning by the end of this year\u2019s effort the bulging list of Christmas beers past will reach 144.<\/p>\n

For those new to the game, every beer I\u2019ve had has been different (all listed and linked to below), but I always began each year with the Anchor Christmas Ale, 1) because it was essentially a new beer with a new recipe every year and 2) because since its first appearance in 1975 the Anchor beer pretty much single-handedly revived the very notion of producing a special beer for the holidays. I\u2019ve extended the notion to include beers that are considered winter warmers–something seasonally special to get us through the winter solstice and onto the 12th day of Christmas (January 5).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been getting a little tougher to find beers I haven\u2019t had before. More accurately, I\u2019ve probably been getting a little lazier in tracking them down and requesting them from brewers. This year I relied strictly on what I could find at the better beers stores within reasonable driving distance. And therefore, for the second time and second year in a row, it\u2019s an all-U.S.A. collection.<\/p>\n\"Jubele<\/a>\n

The Anchor lacuna makes the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale<\/a> and Deschutes Brewery Jubelale<\/a> the two longest-lasting Christmas beers in the U.S. (Celebration since 1981, Jubelale since 1986), which is a good enough reason to warm up with them every year. (It\u2019s usually pretty easy to find Samuel Adams Winter Lager<\/a>, too. All are in the photo up top, along with one of four Anchor holdovers from the cellar, the 2019 offering<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Neither Sierra Nevada nor Deschutes change the recipes of these beers from year to year. The Deschutes was on the list in 2014, and\u00a0in 2021 when the brewery thoughtfully sent me the Imperial Cherry Jubelale<\/a>. What Deschutes does change every year is the Jubelale artwork, and this year\u2019s label is a collage by Ben Woodcock<\/a>, who actually worked at the brewery for a decade while studying design at Portland State University. Some of his earliest designs were for the chalkboard at the Deschutes Portland taproom.<\/p>\n

\"Artist<\/a>

Artist Ben Woodcock with his label work<\/p><\/div>\n

There was a real mix of styles and strengths in last year\u2019s beers. Four of them were under 6% ABV, with the Lone Pine Winter Carnival White Ale the lowest at 5.2%. (Only two beers in this year\u2019s batch are under 6%.) The Fremont Brewing B-Bomb blew the doors off at 14%, and was quite possibly my favorite in the lineup. The Sugar Plum Fairy from Four Quarters was right up there too, though, as was the Feest Noel from Three Taverns. The Wassail from the Woodstock Inn Brewery, if not a show-stopper, seemed the perfect beer for the moment.<\/p>\n

In truth, it was a solid roster all around. Even my marshmallow doubts about the Black Hog Gingerbread S\u2019mores Stout proved spurious. My favorite post of the series was the one for Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig<\/a>, since it gave me the chance to confirm that the Alastair Sim film version of \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d is the best of the lot and to unravel the charming history of the actress playing Fred\u2019s maid.<\/p>\n

We can hope for as many tasty ones this year. Like the wobbly defendant before a judge who tells him, \u201cYou\u2019ve been brought before me for drinking,\u201d we say with enthusiasm, \u201cWell, let\u2019s get started!\u201d Here are the links to the 132 predecessors:<\/p>\n

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

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

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2022\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Anchor Our Special Ale 2022<\/a><\/strong>
\n2\u00a0Three Taverns Feest Noel<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>
\n3\u00a0Black Hog Gingerbread S\u2019mores Stout<\/a><\/strong>
\n4\u00a0Two Roads Holiday Ale<\/a><\/strong>
\n 5\u00a0Fremont Brewing B-Bomb<\/a><\/strong>
\n 6\u00a0Lone Pine Winter Carnival<\/a><\/strong>
\n 7\u00a0Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig<\/a><\/strong>
\n 8\u00a0Woodstock Inn Brewery Wassail<\/a><\/strong>
\n 9\u00a0Smuttynose Ice Dam(n) Cold IPA<\/a><\/strong>
\n 10\u00a0Four Quarters Sugar Plum Fairy<\/a><\/strong>
\n 11\u00a0Rock Art Winter Bock<\/a><\/strong>
\n 12\u00a0Schilling Winterhammer<\/a>\u00a0<\/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 2023 1: Revolution Fistmas<\/a> ><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Dec. 22, 2023]–The news arrived two days ago that U.S. Steel has agreed to be acquired by the Japanese company… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":9507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[939,627,18],"tags":[975741,210761,992256,632,1002722,720,5129,749,26,174722,174725,676069,2045],"class_list":["post-9503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beer-on-tap","category-tap-beer-of-the-week","category-lifestyle","tag-12-days-of-christmas","tag-winter-warmer","tag-jubelale","tag-anchor","tag-12-beers-of-christmas","tag-sierra-nevada","tag-deschutes-brewery","tag-christmas","tag-oregon","tag-our-special-ale","tag-celebration-ale","tag-christmas-beers","tag-bend"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/12\/warmup.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9503","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=9503"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9638,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9503\/revisions\/9638"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/tombedell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}