As you’re getting in the holiday spirit this season, your taste buds might be yearning for a delectable wintry drink to brighten your day, don’t worry- we’re not talking about eggnog. The folks over at Indiana Beverage are making sure our shelves and stockings can be filled with a delicious assortment of beers this season. Among them were the Bell’s “Winter White,” Blue Moon’s “Pacific Apricot Wheat,” Lagunitas’ “Sucks Ale,” Revolution Brewing’s “Fistmas,” and Samuel Adams’ Winter Lager.
If our reactions were any indication, these seasonal potables will certainly have you in the Christmas spirit in no time. We each had the difficult task of selecting just one beer from this team of all-stars to review and showcase!
The Lineup
Bell’s “Winter White” – A Belgian-inspired wheat ale with clove and fruit aromas, this makes a nice alternative to darker, heavier winter warmers and stouts.
Samuel Adams “Winter Lager” – Full of rich malt notes and accents of cinnamon, cinnamon, ginger and orange peel. This light winter lager is a perfect accompaniment to the season.
Blue Moon “Pacific Apricot Wheat” – A refreshing and aromatic wheat ale with fresh scents of bread, cardamom, and apricots, this Scandinavian-inspired beer will delight your taste buds.
Lagunitas "Sucks Ale" – This ‘cereal medley’ of barley, rye, wheat, and oats is full of complexity and a resinous, dry-hopped bottle of joy for the holidays.
Revolution Brewing "Fistmas” – This red ale is perfect for the season and uses specialty malts to achieve a deep-red hue and scents of caramel, bread, stone fruits, ginger, and orange peel.
The Tasting
Jennifer Bissonnette – Lagunitas made wrapping gifts a little more enjoyable this year with it’s hoppy, yet refreshing flavors. It blends right in with the season and gave my household a bit more to look forward to with its burst of hops, delicious flavor and festive bottle.
Jenny Craig-Brown - I love Lagunitas and their holiday brew "Sucks" is awesome! This was my favorite but there wasn't a bad one in the bunch. Revolution is such an incredible brewery and I'm so happy to see more of them coming about. Bell's, Blue Moon, and Sam Adams are all staples for me, but their holiday offerings were awesome. I keep Sam Adams on tap at my house and I'm hoping to make their winter lager my next addition!
Cody Morse - My combos this winter will be as fresh as the baked bread, caramel and stone fruits aromas of Revolution's Fistmas.
Justin Luna - Another excellent entry to this year’s holiday & winter beer selection. Possibly the best Christmas beer that I have had in recent years. A full body beer similar to an IPA with a crisp, fruity flavor. Super piney with tasty notes of orange citrus zest, a little bit of bitter hop, and a beautiful light brown pour. Already looking forward to my pour next Christmas! It’s not just milk and cookies anymore.
Stephanie Swearington - Something to snuggle with throughout the winter, and to add to the holiday season. The apricot really brought out the wheat overtones of this beer. Tis the season for good taste and Blue Moon never disappoints.
Gina Cullen - Art is one of my biggest passions, and nothing goes better with a late-night drawing session than a cold beer! Blue Moon has always been one of my favorites, and the apricot wheat ale was definitely not an exception. It’s warm and cozy enough to enjoy during the winter, with just enough apricot splash to make you nostalgic for the summer.
Candace Arvin - I usually drink IPAs to help maintain my girlish figure, but all of these winter brews are definitely worth a try! My personal favorite, Revolution Brewing’s Fistmas!
Peter Krivas - The Lagunitas Sucks Ale was a hoppy, delightful addition to the Holiday season. A cozy beverage to cuddle up by the fire on a chill winter’s night with and let its inner boldness warm you. An excellent dry-hopped and resinous, but light and flavorful, beer that is sure to melt away the Grinch in anyone whose lips it may grace. Its self-deprecating moniker belies the true nature of this delicious, seasonal beverage.
Jon Eddy - Blue Moon’s Pacific Apricot Wheat beer was my favorite out of all the beers we got to try. It was light and fruity and was easy to drink. Tasty good!
