For those of you who are looking to taste some festive holiday beers (and are of legal age to do so), there are several different options to choose from.
On any given evening at The Bier Stein, located at 345 11th Ave., there are myriad beers waiting to be tasted, ranging from dark, espresso-like ales, to light, citrusy, floral IPAs.
Whatever you prefer, The Bier Stein probably has it, along with several different kinds of holiday ales.
To start off, the Abominable Winter Ale has a “light, hoppy taste that resembles a little hint of orange,” said Shannon Williams, a 21-year-old LCC student. “It’s a little bit bitter toward the end, but a great beer nonetheless.”
This ale, brewed in Portland, Ore., by Hopworks Urban Brewery and only offered for a limited time (as it is a seasonal holiday ale), is available at most places for about $2.75 for a 22-oz bottle.
Or perhaps for something different, another holiday ale to try is Rogue Brewery’s Santa’s Private Reserve ale.
“It’s a full-body beer that’s light and fresh with double the hop,” said Jacob Sembler, a 21-year-old University senior majoring in Judaic studies. “It’s not too filling. It has good ratios.”
This ale is relatively cheap, starting at $1.95 at The Bier Stein.
William Loyd, a 22-year-old University senior majoring in political science, tried Ninkasi’s dark double alt ale called Sleigh’r.
“It’s sweet without being too sweet,” Loyd said. “It’s dark but not too heavy, and definitely Ninkasi’s beer of the season. I would buy it again.” Yet another great beer to try for the holidays that costs less than two dollars.
One of the group’s favorite beers, chosen by Phil Taylor, a 21-year-old University senior majoring in geography, was Widmer Brothers seasonal amber ale called Brrr.
“It’s crisp and spicy with a candy-sweet finish,” said Taylor. “Someone recommended it to me so I got it, and it turned out to be really good!”
This holiday ale, also brewed in Portland, was the one that everyone enjoyed the most. It’s a beer that you could bring to a holiday party and everyone would enjoy it.
Right now is a prime time to taste holiday beers considering the wide variety of festive drinks there are to choose from.
These are just a few of the favorite beers of one group, but there are so many more beers they can’t wait to try. With the holiday season approaching, the amounts of holiday beers available are astounding. Get out there and try some!