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The Craft Beer Curmudgeon

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@ The Pub With The Beer Whisperer

Here we are again, another year, another beer. So, what’s next for craft beer? What will be the next big trend? Is there anything left to do?

I mean, haven’t we covered about everything? Current beer styles barely resemble beer, and then there’s the seltzer craze, don’t get me started!

Which leads me to the title, “Craft Beer Curmudgeon”, because apparently I’m now that guy.

They’ve always been there, you know, the old guy at the end of the bar that wants to give you a history lesson per every beer you order, or is constantly interrupting your conversation with a friend.

I’m not exactly sure when it happened, but at some point, somehow, I became that guy!

They say with age comes wisdom, but I think also with age comes the inability to let anything go.

When I hear the hipster-somethings praddling off obvious falsehoods, I feel my hands shaking, my eyes twitching, okay, I do have Tourettes, but it’s more than that. I’ve tried, lord knows I’ve tried to keep my mouth shut, but the shaking and twitching will always inevitably lead to me feeling the need to correct the young know it all, and show them the error of their ways.

And hence The Curmudgeon!

Because this rarely goes well! They rarely stop and say,”Thank You, Thank You Tom The Beer Whisperer for showing us the error of our ways”. Did I say rarely? I mean it never happens that way. There’s always muttering, probably some profanity and definitely dirty looks.

I grew up Irish Catholic, the 4th of 5, so none of that bothers me, but … Oh yeah, but it doesn’t buy craft beer any goodwill either, and that bothers me a little.

Now, this is the point in the article where I’d say something about changing my ways and us old folks should try to avoid this behavior, but for the life of me, I just can’t do it.

I mean, after 30 something years, watching micro breweries, brew pubs and craft beer develop, watching it devolve into a bastion of sour milk shake slushies and banana kiwi seltzers just makes me, well I really want to say sad, but it just PISSES ME OFF! Which brings us back to Curmudgeon!

Yeah, I’m not changing my ways! I mean, I’ve been going to that brewery, brewpub etc … before the little pissy pants were even born, so they can go have sexual relations with themselves, I ain’t budging! They don’t want to see the old guy at the bar, find another bar you seltzer drinking turd muffin.

Ah yes, you see how easy it is to go full Curmudgeon?

It usually starts slow, but by the end I’ve insulted them, their mother, their dog, priest and financial advisor. And you just can’t walk that stuff back!

The truth is though, at this point in my life, I no longer want to. I want to burn that bridge, nuke that baby, make that ground so toxic that it can never be rebuilt.

And welcome to my life now! I’ve embraced the Curmudgeon lifestyle, I mean I try to be a loveable one, but sometimes, oh sometimes, the little turds need a comeuppance, and here I am!

So, if you see me drinking my traditional beer style while you’re ordering your peanut butter chocolate banana milkshake stout sour slushy, and you see me start to shake, avoid all eye contact and I’ll probably just mutter to myself about the atrocities I just witnessed.

Just remember, the Curmudgeon has been through fire, they’ve got nothing left to lose and it doesn’t take much to set of their bull shit alarm. We may may look harmless, in my case, old and fat, but at this stage in our lives, the only thing we fear is not making it to the bathroom at 3 am!

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Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow …

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The Hope of 2020 …it was a new year …

Yes, it was a new year full of hope. Little did we know. We were young and foolish, okay, maybe not so young.

There we were, it was a new year, we were going to breweries, taprooms, bars, taverns, saloons, speakeasys, illegal underground fight clubs.

Okay, maybe not the last one, but there we were, running around without a care in the world, all willy nilly, shaking hands and hugging.

Oh yeah, we heard something about a new virus, but it wasn’t going to come here, and if it did it wouldn’t be that bad, well like a cold, yeah that’s what we heard. Or no worse than the flu anyway.

Then They Cancelled St. Patrick’s Day!

Oh yeah, the shit, pardon the expletive, got real!

This is bad! Real Bad! But, wait a minute, the bars are closed, but the liquor stores aren’t, they were deemed “essential”. Well Duh!

So, I bought at my local essential liquor store only the “essentials”.

But wait … there’s more. The Dropkick F’ing Murphy’s were doing a live streaming event, for free, FREE!

Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad.

But What About The Breweries?

Oh yeah, remember them.

They slowly opened up, but with restrictions.

It wasn’t all bad though, something beautiful came out of the chaos. Curbside Pick-Up!

Oh yeah, you order and pay online, and at a specified time, you pick it up. You pull up and someone comes right out and puts the beer right in your car, RIGHT IN YOUR CAR.

Many took their downtime to spruce up a bit, especially outdoor areas. Yeah, and we learned about social distancing. Well, we can’t sit at the bar, but some opened back up with incredible outdoor areas.

Some ran various crowler and take home specials, some even partnered with restaurants and food trucks, which was brilliant.

Eventually inside seating was allowed, but again, with restrictions. We can’t sit at the bar, and we have to wear mask to enter, but we can go in, and order a beer, and actually sit down and drink it. And it will all be over soon, right?

But It Didn’t End!

No, it didn’t end, and my frivolity and irreverence aside, it didn’t end, and it’s still not over.

Many, if not most of us now have lost friends, family and relatives to a virus that some still think is a hoax. That some still think isn’t serious. Hospitals are overrun and overworked, covid units are past capacity. No, it’s not over, and until we as a country have a mindset change, things won’t get better.

Is There A Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

Well, I am an optimist, so I hope so. I don’t know if things will go back to the way they were, or quite frankly, even if they should. But maybe, just maybe, some sanity and reason will prevail and we can all go to our favorite brewery, sit at the bar and order a beer, say a prayer for the friends and family we lost and hope it doesn’t happen again.

I Am The Beer Whisperer, Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker, Purveyor of Wisdom and All Around Good Guy!

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New Year’s Eve and the Social Distance …

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Howdy Doo Buckaroos and How The Heck Are You?

Well, the year is winding down and it has been an interesting one to say the least.

We’ve been asked to wear a mask and social distance, but I’ve become convinced that Americans are O.D.D.

We seem incapable of following directions or using a modicum of common sense, even when it’s in our best interest.

The good news is, we’re this close to ushering in a new year, and let’s hope it’s a little kinder than the one we’re leaving behind.

2021 Here We Come …

Ready or not… But the question is, can we celebrate safely?

I’m not seeing as many bars, taverns, venues and taprooms having a New Year’s Eve celebration, but a few are in my neck of woods.

So, is it unwise? Is it irresponsible?

Unfortunately, the sad reality is, most places don’t have an option.

They all took a hit this year, many are small operations that didn’t qualify for the PPP loans. Many count on NYE to make their nut, and most are just trying to survive, to pay bills, to pay employees and they need this, even social distanced at half capacity.

So no, I don’t blame the businesses for doing what they have to, but the question remains…

Can You Social Distance Drunk People…

Many years of experience tells me no. No, you can’t. They may all start out with the best of intentions, half capacity, tables 6 feet apart, but then that alcohol will start working and alcohol refuses to be social distanced.

Alcohol Knows No Strangers

That’s right! At first you’ll be enjoying your craft beer or cocktail and paying attention to your significant other, but then like magic, that alcohol will say to you, “Say hi to folks at the next table”, and the next thing you know, you’re all laughing and drinking at the same the table. An hour later you’ll be shaking hands and hugging, and by midnight it’ll be like a night with Caligula.

No Judgement …

No judgement, I’m just giving you my years of experience. Okay, so my final analysis may be a slight exaggeration, but you all know, if you’re being honest, it’s not by much.

So yeah, no judgement. Places have to operate, stay in business and folks are going stir crazy, it’s been a rough year, and it’s New Year’s Eve, we wait all year for this night, and with everything going on, it seems a little more significant.

Celebrate!

As safely as you can anyway. Wear the mask when necessary, try to social distance as best as you can and please don’t drink and drive!

After all you went through in 2020, you’ll want to be around for 2021!

As For The Beer Whisperer …

I’ll be home. It’s cold, white and icy out there, so I’m staying warm at home where I have plenty of good ? beer! That, and I know myself, after 3 beers social distancing will become a thing of past.

So, Happy 2021 All, and as always

I Am The Beer Whisperer, Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker, Purveyor of Wisdom and … All Around Good Guy!

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Beer And The Extroverted Loner!

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I initially had the idea for this article about a week before the viral shit hit the fan. Then I was furloughed from work, then day drinking, social media and Zoom ensued, and then I went back to work and now here we are!

I like people, sometimes. I’m social, sometimes. I haven’t been accused of being shy for quite some time. However, I’ve never minded arriving alone to situations. Oh, I don’t mind meeting friends at the pub or taproom, or going with friends to beerfests or tastings, but then you have an implied social contract. Meaning, you’ve agreed to hang out as a group.

I’ve always marched to my own drummer and like to move at my own pace, so It’s never bothered me to attend events on my own. I even prefer it most of the time. I usually see someone I know no matter where I go, so I’m not really alone, I’m just not obligated to stay with a certain group if I arrive alone. I like the freedom of choice. I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember, but things have changed for everyone now.

So …

Beer In The Time Of Covid!

So here we are! It’s a whole new ballgame now. We’re supposed to stay in as much as possible. We’re supposed to socially distance, but I’m convinced that all Americans have O.D.D.

I jokingly, sort of, told my wife that the less I’m able to get out, the less I want to. And now that we’re supposed to socially distance, on the rare occasions that I do get out, it’s not thought of as odd to sit off by myself. Oh, I’ll wave and be social if I see someone I know, I might even chat for a few minutes, but now I can go back to my table for one and I’m not thought of as anti-social.

During the initial “lockdown”, there were “virtual pub” videos popping up all over social media. I’m not bragging, but I was doing the concept back in 2015. However, I enjoyed seeing them and participating in them. With all of social media, it didn’t feel like we were all alone drinking in our houses, we had the illusion that we were all at the Pub together.

Beer And The New Norm

Well, the new place where everyone knows your name is the Zoom room or whatever virtual pub you’ve attached yourself to. We are getting out more as a people, like I mentioned earlier, I’m convinced that Americans have O.D.D. and will not be told what to do, even if it will save there lives.

Most places in my neck of the woods have reopened with some restrictions. You’re not supposed to have bar seating, but for some, it’s only illegal if you got caught. We’re being asked to use a little common sense, but as I’ve seen, for some that’s just too much to ask for.

Where There’s A Beer, There’s A Way!

Our favorite breweries, taprooms and pubs are struggling through all of this. Many took a chance and took the down time to enhance their outdoor areas and beer gardens, redecorated and remodeled indoor areas for social distancing. They added curbside to go services, order online and touchless pick up. Whatever it took to survive. A few even added a can line.

It’s easy to go stir crazy or even get depressed through all of this, so now that we’re able to get out more, most of are favorite places are making it easier to do safely.

When I first had the idea for the article it was mostly about the dichotomy of being social, yet not, all at the same time. Wanting to go out and drink with friends, yet not minding drinking a fine beer at home either.

Then THIS happened and everybody’s world changed.

Get out when you can, when you can do it safely. Everybody is struggling, so support your local when you can, but I think most understand that we just don’t have the same disposable incomes we once had.

We may not all be in the exact same boat, but we’re all in the same storm, so let’s all do what we can to ensure that we can meet and raise a glass once the storm passes and the sun is shining once again.

Be Smart & Stay Safe

I Am The Beer Whisperer, Beer Vangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker, Purveyor of Wisdom and All Around Good Guy!

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I Hate To Burst Your Bubble!

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It seems that every time a craft brewery closes, all of the Chicken Little’s scream that the sky is falling.

They’re sure that there’s an imaginary bubble that’s going to burst. Never mind that these same yahoos have been crying the same thing for a decade, this time they’re sure that they’re right, until next time.

Bubble, Bubble, Who’s Got The Bubble.

To believe this, you first have to buy into the premise that a bubble exists. Think back to the .Com boom and subsequent bust.

However, I think it more closely resembles the comedy boom of the late 80’s into the mid 90’s.

Now, That’s Not Funny!

With cable becoming more prevalent in the late 80’s, more comedians were getting airtime. While this allowed some great comics to emerge, it also let some on the mediocre side get 15 minutes of fame that they might not have deserved.

The Comedy Channel became Comedy Central and stand-ups were everywhere. Originally, comedy clubs were only in large markets, then we saw them pop up in medium, even small markets.

Although it was fun, even funny, while it lasted, many of these markets just couldn’t bring in A-LIST comics and eventually people quit paying way too much to see average talent.

Are You Picking Up What I’m Putting Down?

Yeah, are you following that meander?

Eventually most of these clubs shut down, but was it a bubble bursting?

I think it was more of a market correction. At first you were excited to see comics come to town, until you realized that they weren’t very good.

What About The Beer?

Average comics, average beer … And sometimes the water rises to the top until people realize that they’re not getting the cream. Many towns, probably even the one that I live in, can’t sustain all of the craft breweries that are opening. I’m sure at some point, one or two, or maybe more, will close their doors. But, is that a bubble bursting? Or is it just the market taking care of itself?

Oh, who knows!

I don’t think that the sky is falling, but sometimes it clouds up, sometimes it rains, sometimes there’s a storm and sometimes, well you get the point.

Forget The Bubble And Order A Beer!

Quit crying wolf already! If you want to stop some imaginary bubble, go to your favorite watering hole as often as you can. Talk to the owners, the brewers, talk to your friends, share the breweries social media posts. Shout it from the rooftops. Do whatever you have to do, except whine, piss and moan about a bubble that doesn’t exist.

I Hate To Sound Cliche, But …

You are the change! If you want your breweries to keep their doors open, get out and support them!

No Bubbles, Just Beer!

Like it or not, whether we want them to or not, some breweries will close until your market has what it can sustain.

So, until then, do what I do, get out and spread the love. Visit them all while you can. Remember, the beer you save may be your own.

I Am The Beer Whisperer

Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker

Purveyor Of Wisdom and …

All Around Good Guy!

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Sittin’ On This Bar Stool, Talkin’ Like A Damn Fool!

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Howdy Doo Buckaroos and how the heck are you?

Yes, I did “Borrow” the title from Styx, “Too Much Time On My Hands”, for the other beer/music geeks out there.

But … That’s what we did. We went to the bar, met friends, had a few drinks, and we’d shoot the shit.

Anyway …

I’m the 4th of 5 kids in my family and our upbringing was a tad unusual and what might be described today as Extreme Free Range Parenting. It was the 70’s in Southern Ca. after all. Oddly enough, for most of the decade it was legal for kids to be brought into bars, and my brothers, sisters and myself logged more bar time as minors than many throughout there entire adult lives. I’d like to say that I’m exaggerating for effect, but I’m really not!

So, we inhaled a lot of smoke and heard a lot of salty language, ate a lot of beef jerky and cheese corn and drank gallons of Coke! Though I wasn’t born in a bar, saloon, tavern, lounge or pub, you could say that I was born to be in one. However, of the 5 of us, I’m the only one that truly feels at home in a pub. I’ve certainly logged a lot of bar hours over the years.

At 54, I can tell you that drinking habits change over the years, I do a lot less chugging and shooting as an aging beer/whiskey enthusiast. As a craft beer geek, I spend more time admiring the pour, and checking the nose than I did as a younger drinker.

We certainly see a lot less mom and pop bars and more chains, that and social media and damn near everyone carrying a smart phone or other device, bar etiquette has changed.

There was a time that you would go to the pub to socialize. Now folks go to pub and do the exact same thing that they’d be doing in their living rooms. Instead of talking to their friends, they have to check in their beverage into the multitudes of sites just itching to give them a virtual pat on the back or imaginary ribbon.

It’s not just the patrons that have changed though. Service is not the same overall that it once was. Efficiency is stressed over friendliness. You’d become a regular, get to know the bartender, tip well, and you’d get a better pour or maybe even a free drink. Now with everything computerized and measured, that’s unlikely. Also, it seems many bartenders can make a 100 different flavored martinis, but most seem to have the inability to smile and have the personality of a rock and I’m not talking about the friendlier pet rock.

It seems that we’re all missing the point. We’re going out to the taprooms and brewpubs, but we’re waisting the experience on social media rather than just experiencing it. We’re virtually living instead of living.

I’m certainly as guilty of this as anybody. I’ve gone into pubs and ordered my brew, stopped to take a picture, do a video and be completely oblivious to my surroundings.

The technology is enjoyable and can enhance our lives, if we don’t let it take over our lives.

So, order your beer, check it in if you must, but don’t neglect the friends you came in with, are meeting, or might meet if you just put your damn phone down!

I Am The Beer Whisperer

Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker

Purveyor Of Wisdom and …

All Around Good Guy!

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Beer, Life, Grief and More Beer!

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Howdy Doo Buckaroos

And how the heck are you?

My apologies for not updating in a couple months. I don’t really have a good excuse, just the struggle of life, well, and the the sad fact that I’m technologically challenged. WordPress “updated”, supposedly to make it easier, however, it just confused the snot out of me. Every time that I’d sit down and start writing, it would glitch or just do something to irritate me and I’d get frustrated!

I planned on doing my usual dedication to St. Patrick’s Day for the March edition, but with the issues with WordPress and just being extremely sad this particular St. Patrick’s Day, I just couldn’t get it done.

Then came April …

This April 23rd marked 6 years since we lost our son Seamus to leukemia. It seems even six years later I’m still struggling with the stages of grief. Anger and denial keep popping up, bargaining with God and so on. I still question why God would take someone as amazing as Seamus, someone who was compassionate and empathic, someone who always chose to do the right thing. And, of course, dealing with my own guilt. Could we have made a different choice? I mean, I thought we looked at all of the options, but I can’t help but to second guess every decision that I made.



Six years later and I still have nightmares. I make different decisions, but the outcome is always the same.

Anyway … I don’t mean to bum you all out, but between WordPress giving me fits and being extremely depressed, it’s been difficult to execute a new feature article.

Such as it is anyway. I mean, when I started the website about 4 years ago, I didn’t have a clear direction, but over the years it’s morphed into a journal/random thoughts or just a conversation we might have in a pub.

And now here we are! May! Just a couple days before my 54th birthday as I write this article. I’m a member of the Mug Club @ Springfield Brewing Company, so I’d like to start there Friday afternoon after work, for at least one mug anyway.

There’s a tradition in my family that the birthday person chooses their birthday dinner. Now, we grew up modestly, so mom cooked your birthday dinner.

I carried that tradition over, but since I do the cooking, I get the short end. I love my wife dearly and she’s the best baker there is, but cooking us not her thing. Her pie crusts though! (That’s not a euphemism).

Anyway … I digress!

This a “Beer Whisperer” article after all, so focus dude!

My rambling aside, the point is that we’ll probably go out for dinner, if for no other reason than to have a few hours away from the MOTHER-IN-LAW, who happens to live with us, as if I needed a reason to drink.

And … Back to the beer. Sort of anyway. I have enjoyed craft beer longer than it was widely known as craft beer. After the loss of my son it helped keep me sane(ish). Not just enjoying the sweet beverage, but the experience surrounding it. The community around craft beer, the people I’ve met due to the love of craft beer. Doing my crazy videos acts as therapy as well as writing, whether it’s on my social media pages or this website. It all helps fight the blues, and ironically, listening to blues helps fight the blues.

So, as we all go through life’s struggles, find what works for you. Therapy, pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies, talking to a good friend or a hobby that helps you through. As hard as it was to finally get this written, the more that I was able to write, the better I felt.

So, once again I thank everyone in the craft beer community just for being who you are.

I Am The Beer Whisperer

Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker

Purveyor Of Wisdom

And …

All Around Good Guy!

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It’s A Good Day For A Beer!

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It’s a cold, drizzly, freezing rain, sleet and snow kind of day in the Ozarks as I write this article.

Home from work, dinner cooked and eaten and it’s just bbbrrr outside. So, now in my comfy and warm jammies, watching the boob tube with the ol‘ ball and chain(don’t tell her I said that), I’m thinking that it’s time for a beer!

Ah, but settling in for knocking a few back is more complicated than you might think

It requires all the thought and finesse in making a good mix tape.

You see, I can’t start with Mother’s Materfamilias, an 11% Imperial Stout aged in multi spirit barrels. No, no, no, you can’t shoot your wad too early, your evening would be over. This ain’t a wham bam thank you ma’am kind of night.

You can’t start too weak either, it has to pique your interest, but not lay too heavy on you.

Now, you don’t have to decide right now how many that you’re going to have, you just have to commit to see where the night takes you.

Where the night takes you, indeed!

Alright, now that you’re all in, let’s do this thing!

Let’s be clear, I’m not talking about getting drunk or, as my dad used to say, tying one on, I’m talking about enjoying a few beers.

How many is a few you ask? Well, more than 2, or I would have said a couple of beers. As I’m on my first beer as I write this portion, I’m thinking possibly four, but at least 3.

Alrighty then, you made it through beer one and you’re feeling good about yourself. The magic elixir is starting to work, you’ve got that little wry smile on your face and you just said something witty and charming to your significant other, but where do you from here?

You have to kick it up, but how far? We’re not ready for that barrel aged masterpiece yet, and to steal from Nigel Tufnel, it’s not time to take it to 11 yet. Let’s say you started with a 3 or 4, I’d say ratchet it up to about a 7.

I mean, enough horsepower to turn that wry smile into a full-on grin, but not so much as to turn you into Bozo the Clown.

Okay, now you’ve committed to beer 2 and a little more ABV, you’re about half way through and really feeling good about yourself. Don’t worry, not yet anyway, you’re a pro.

You came through like a trooper and now beer 3 is calling your name. So, which way to go? Well, just like a good mix tape, take it down just a bit, but not too much.

For the sake of argument, let’s say you started at 5%, jumped to 7%, I’d say meet in the middle at 6 ish%. And now you’re ready to go.

Relax, you’re doing fine. You got through the first two, you’ve made perfect beer choices, you’re a rockstar, so drink with Gusto! Well, medium gusto anyway, I mean, we’re not chugging here, but we’re not nursing either.

Now on to beer #4! You’ve got a slight buzz, but it looks good on you. We’ve decided to call it a night on this one, so let’s make it a big one. Yeah, that’s right. That aforementioned barrel aged beauty.

Okay, I know some of you studs and studettes can get through 10- 12 in an evening, and this has all been done a little tongue in cheek, but the truth is, at my age, at this stage in my life, I’m quite content drinking 4 quality brews while watching TV with the wife.

However, that doesn’t make my theory any less valid. That being, picking the perfect beer is like making the perfect mix tape. The right choices will make your evening. The wrong choices, well, at best will give you indigestion and at worst, well a porcelain bus you’ll be a drivin’!

At the risk of being redundant …

I Am The Beer Whisperer

Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker

Purveyor Of Wisdom and …

All Around Good Guy!

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A Shot And A Beer!

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Or more aptly titled, a nice whiskey served neat alongside a fine beer.

I Am The Beer Whisperer, Beervangelist, Prolific Beer Drinker, Purveyor Of Wisdom and … All Around Good Guy!

However, I’m also the Whiskey Whisperer. Sometimes my alter egos duke it out, but sometimes they’re simpatico and hold hands around the campfire singing, “Kumbaya”, this is one of those times.

The Pairing: KC Style

As I write this, it’s the day before the AFC Championship game between the KC Chiefs and the New England Patriots. I should also point out that I’m writing this from Springfield Mo.

As it so happens, I have a Boulevard Whiskey Barrel Stout and J Riegers Kansas City Whiskey, so it just seemed appropriate the pair the two.

The Beer

Boulevard Brewing(KC Mo) Whiskey Barrel Stout. She’s 11.8% 32 IBU’s, no kidding! The nose alone is intoxicating! Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and the slightest notion of coffee highlight the nose.

The roasted barley shines with flavors of deep, dark malted chocolate, caramel, molasses, creamy vanilla with toasted oak and a slightly warming finish, letting you know that yes, yes there was a whiskey barrel involved.

The Whiskey

Oh yes, the whiskey! J Riegers Kansas City Whiskey, a 92 proof whiskey that they say uses their signature blend of corn, malt & rye.

The nose is warming with an even mix of caramel, vanilla & cinnamon. You may also feel hints of dark fruit and I also detected just a touch of apple.

Although the nose was caramel, the flavors are rich, nutty toffee with hazelnut accents. The spicy rye is exquisite, heading to the finish with toasted oak and cinnamon spice.

The 92 proof is warming, but it never quite gets too hot, it’s one of my personal favorites.

Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together!

I know not everyone digs the beer/whiskey pairing, but I think those of us that do, just get it!

You may have noticed similar aromas and flavors from the beer to the whiskey. That’s part of why these two work together, but the other part is the slight differences in the two are what brings them together.

Like chocolate and peanut butter, the right beer paired with the right whiskey just works, they not only taste great together, it’s libation for the soul. To borrow from the legendary Duke Robillard, Are You Soulful Baby? If you’ve got the stones, grab your beer du jour with a like-minded whiskey and free your soul, baby!

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The 12 Beers Of Christmas!

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   The 12 Beers Of Christmas!

On the 1st Beer Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me …

Okay, I did steal the idea for this months feature from the song, you probably figured that out, but it was the inspiration.

So, the idea is to talk about 12 beers that I feel represent the holiday season.

Just keep in my mind that this is NOT a ranking, although I will number 1 through 12 … So, let’s get started by saying MERRY CHRISTMAS … and here we go!

#1 Sierra Nevada Celebration

The classic Fresh Hop IPA, a holiday favorite for me. First brewed in 1981, heck, I didn’t know what an IPA was back in ’81. This wonderful classic IPA usually comes out just before Thanksgiving but is great through the entire holiday season and a must for any craft beer lover.

There are slight differences from year to year, but every year is incredible.

6.5% ABV  65 IBU’s

She pours a beautiful light copper with a rocky tan head that seems to linger eternally.

They describe intense citrus and pine aromas and by golly, they’re right!

I should also mention that I’m using the Sierra Nevada IPA glass and the lacing is just spectacular.

Orange & grapefruit highlight the intense citrus portion with bright, fresh & herbal pine surrounding the big malt notes, which are equally intense. Using 2 row and caramel malts, you’ll get notes of light brown sugar. It’s aromatically stunning.

The flavor of orange zest shines through immediately, accented by grapefruit and then … wow! As big as the hoppage is, the malt is equally huge. Big malt and light brown sugar tickle the taste buds until that pine comes at you in a great big finish with it all just lingering slightly until it all dries up in a beautiful crescendo.

This one typically comes out around Thanksgiving and should be enjoyed throughout the holiday season.

  #2  Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome

 

   What can I say, it’s a classic! 

They describe it as having a full body and a luxurious malt character balanced by Fuggle and Golding hops.

  Well, when they’re right, they’re right! 

 A hint of malt sweetness on the nose surrounded by the earthy and herbal hops.

 A rich and luxurious body as previously described, followed by a toffee like sweetness before the hops come together and clean it all up.

 Sometimes, a classic is a classic for a reason and seasonal beers don’t get any better than this one.

 

#3 KC Bier Co Winter Bock

  An 8.25% Doppelbock and a more faithful American Craft interpretation you will not find.

Malty sweet, chocolate and caramel are dominant but don’t completely overshadow the clean earthy hop finish.

And through it all are wonderful hazelnut notes.

In a hop-centric craft beer world, malty masterpieces like a Doppelbock get overlooked, but this style is ideal for your winter/holiday/Christmas pleasure and they don’t get better than this one!

#4 Anthony’s Pacification Russian Imperial Stout by Public House Brewing

Coming in @ 10% 70 IBU’s, this is a superb American craft stab at the classic Russian Imperial Stout.

A perfect style for those cold winter nights, huddling around the fireplace or dancing naked around the Christmas tree … what? Okay, maybe that’s just me, regardless this one is rich & malty and I can’t help but think what barrel aging would do this already amazing beer.

#5 Goose Island Bourbon County Bourbon Stout!

Oh Geez Louise, I went through a lot of inner turmoil deciding whether or not to include this one, but like it or not, it is a holiday classic.

I refuse to stand in line for any beer, but luckily I was able to find it easily, just sitting on a shelf.

I purchased this beer religiously before the AB-InBev buyout, since then I pick it up every now and then, but the quality hasn’t been consistent since the takeover.

Having said all of that, this is The Classic Bourbon Barrel Stout and no Christmas beer list would be complete without it.

#6 “Brown Shugga” from Lagunitas

10% 51.1 IBU’s, they describe it as a “Special Ale” that uses brown sugar, but it’s so much more than that.

Rich, malty and intensely hoppy, it’s a beer that defies style, which is sort of what Lagunitas does.

It is a tad boozy, but not so much as to be off-putting. Just enough to make you feel warm & fuzzy all over to put you in the Christmas spirit.

#7 Mother’s “Nudie Suit” Porter

A 5.5% American Craft Robust Porter. Stunning to look at in the glass, with a head that seems to linger on forever.

Oh, the porter, luscious and delicious, decadent but not too heavy and perfect to pair with almost any holiday meal.

This one is chocolate and more chocolate, more specifically, malted chocolate with just hints of vanilla and toffee. A “feel good” beer if there ever was one.

#8 Boulevard Whiskey Barrel Stout

Oh, Cheez Whiz! WOW, 11.8% of whiskey barrel stout goodness.

Now, since the BCBS is already on here, this may seem redundant, but can you really have too many Whiskey Barrel Stouts? I think not!

Viscous, yet silky smooth with the Whiskey notes flowing through every sip.

Beers like this make winter tolerable.

#9 Ballast Point Peanut Butter Victory At Sea!

A 10% Imperial Porter that uses coffee and, on their bottle,”other natural flavors”, for the purposes of this list though, we’ll refer to it as an adjunct porter.

A combination of coffee, peanut butter and a smidgen of vanilla and a touch of chocolate permeate the nose with coffee being dominant.

To boil it down to the simplest, the flavors are that of possibly the very best coffee infused dark chocolate peanut butter cup imaginable!

#10 Springfield BrewCo Tsarry Night Variant

Ah yes, the “Variant”, taking an existing beer, chucking stuff in it so you can charge much more, err … I mean, make it more valuable, in beer geek speak.

Tsarry Night is a 9.8% Russian Imperial Stout, this variant adds blackberry, raspberry and cherry.

Obviously, I like Imperial stouts and anything barrel aged during this holiday season, but frankly I’m not a fan of these fruit flavors added to beer as a whole, so why is this one on the list? Because it’s good!

Also though, because these particular flavors also fit the Christmas season.

The rub here though is although I’m usually a bigger fan of the base beer, in the case of the Tsarry Night, this one improves on a theme.

Initially you get the big, decadent Imperial stout notes then you get the fruit flavors that act like a fine supporting cast making it all better.

Then the Bourbon barrel does what it does, adding light whiskey notes with hints of vanilla and caramel, but where you feel it most is in the brilliant oaky finish.

What this beer says to me is, in the immortal words of the Peanuts gang,”Christmas Time Is Here”!

#11 The Bruery 11 Pipers Piping

A Scotch style ale brewed with candi sugar and coriander and comes in at 11%.

Deep malt, a tad sweet highlighted by dark fruit with the herbal intensity of coriander in the finish.

A warm and cozy beer sure to make you feel happy all over with ideal flavors for the Christmas season.

#12 Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

Well, it says it’s an IPA anyway, but I think its alter ego is that of a barleywine. However, I must note that this is the 2017 Vintage.

Weighing in at somewhere between 15-20% ABV and according to their website it’s 120 IBU’s.

Malty sweet on the nose, but surprisingly, there is still citrus hop notes remaining.

It’s clearly drifted more towards an American barleywine, but the IPA foundation isn’t completely lost.

Somehow, I managed to hang on to this one from last year so I thought is should be on the list. Not necessarily for the style, but as an accidentally aged beer which happens to me from time to time.

Well, there it is, my 12 Beers of Christmas!

Not intended as a 12 Best or even a 12 Must Try, but rather 12 Beers that I’ve enjoyed this Christmas season.

So, Merry Christmas and Cheers from me, The Beer Whisperer!