I've tried Deschutes Jubelale and Anchor's Christmas Ale so far. I was more impressed with the Anchor than I was with the Jubelale. My Christmas beer won't be out until mid-December - a Baltic Porter. It should be easy to sell the 40 cases that I'll bottle.

I have had this year's Jubelale. I thought it was a bit soapy, and pretty un-Christmas-y. That's it so far.

Have been drinking Red Hook's Winterhook like crazy Vitis - not sure if you're just getting the shaft, or what, but it's on the shelves here :-D Will probably head over to the brewery on Tuesday with the parents... just because.

damn I'm jealous, I'm sure it's because you are in WA. I visited the brewery a long, long time ago back when they made Ballard Bitter and Wheat Hook.

Perhaps it hasn't hit the shelves yet here?

Tried the Summit Winter Ale tonight. Pretty good, but not something I would seek out again. Looking forward to picking up a sampler of 6 different X-mas/Winter ales in the next couple days and trying those.

Once again the Sierra Nevada Christmas offering is an early favorite for me.

Drinking Sierra Celebration Ale right now. It's pretty much the same as every year - an unspiced amber ale. Has a nice front/mid palate with light/med maltiness, characteristic cascade hops, good carbonation. This would be an amber ale for many breweries. It's a good beer in it's own right, I just look forward to spiced ales.

Pyramid Snow Cap Ale in the fridge up next.

Had Sam Adams Winter and thought is was very good. A big step up from the Summit. Looking forward to picking up a mixed 6 pack here shortly and trying those.

If you had 6 to choose that are available nationally, what would you pick?

Vitis,

I live in Fargo, ND so I'll probably have a lot of the midwest brewery's winters. I'll be sure to pick up the Anchor and Winter Hook. Anchor Steam and Sieerra Nevada are two of my favorite beers. I'll see if I can track down the others. With a blizzard on the way, I better stock up!!

Cheers,

jeff

PS - Never had the honey porter. I think Sam Adams makes a new ale every once in a while and seems if it takes off. If not it gets the axe.

Had a few Sierra Celebration Ales with oysters, popcorn shrimp, and a lobster roll at a local joint. Nice to catch up with a good buddy and drink some seasonal beer...

Picked up 3 to try tonight once the blizzard hits; Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Winter Hook, and Blue Moon's Winter Ale.

Pyramid Snow Cap Ale (out of the bottle, no color notes)
smell: caramel, malty
taste: like the smell.....caramel, malty. No spice, or very little. Chocolaty aftertaste. Pleasant, good mid-body.

Pattern developing: I'm drinking my non-favorites, and they are generally malty brown ales, not really what I consider Christmas ales. I definitely miss the crazy spicy dark porter styles that are very distinct and seasonal, a main reason I haven't been buying them this reason is that they are damn expensive, like $9-$11 per six pack expensive. Looks like a BevMo trip is in the itinerary to see if they have better prices.

Chilly -- if Sam Adams made their honey porter available, I'd buy regularly, but if it's a one-off, then damn........this was like a year ago, may be history.......if I were more motivated I bet their website, or a search, would discuss that more.   Please post Winterhook notes.

A few tasting notes,

Pyramid Snow Cap - Medium brown color, clear. Malt, prunes, and a sour aroma. Roasted malt, cocoa, mocha on the palate. Nice bitter finish. Score - 37.5 (for wine geeks, add 50)

Anderson Valley Brewing Winter Solstice - Medium/light brown color, clear. Light, indistinct hops, some malt and slightly sour aroma. Strong milk chocolate/malt flavors on the palate - like drinking a chocolate malt. Slightly tannic on the finish, but overall excellent. Score - 42

Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - Dark amber color, clear. Cascade hop nose of citrus and pine. Medium malt on the palate is quickly overwhelmed by clean bitterness, followed by a citrus and pine finish. A pale ale on steroids. Score - 41

Widmer Brewing Brrr - Dark amber color, clear. Cascade hop nose of citrus and pine, with some malt notes. On the palate, malt, indistinct fruit flavors and "ale" notes, and indistinct hops. Rather disjointed. Score - 35

I don't think I would want to finish a bottle of the Pyramid or the Widmer. The Anderson Valley beer was more what I would expect in a holiday beer, while the Sierra Nevada was not as much of a holiday beer, just a very well designed and made beer. The sour notes in the nose are typical of many ales, but are not something I enjoy (hence my focus on lagers).

More to come.

Tried all 3 this weekend as the blizzard shot through here; Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Winter Hook, and Blue Moon's Winter Ale. For a reference point a couple of my favorite beers are Anchor Steam and Sierra Nevada. All 3 were very very good. Really enjoyed Blue Moon's Winter Ale, followed by the Celebration and Winter Hook. I would easily have all 3 again. I would probably put the Sam Adams Winter ahead of the Sierra and Winterhook, although really I like them all.

Duke, Sounds like I can skip the Brrr? Thought about picking it up just because of the name.

I would. Frankly, I wasn't very impressed. I hope to get through another group tonight, and then pick up some more when I make deliveries into Portland tomorrow.

I've enjoyed Widmir's milk stout that they've done the last couple years, sorry not to see it this year.

The Anderson winter beer is really good.

A few more TNs

Bridgeport Ebenezer Ale - Nice malt and hops, with a little weird celery thing in the nose. On the palate the beer is smooth and malty with a few roasted notes. The celery is more noticable here. Score - 38

2008 Anchor Christmas Ale - Root beer/spruce tips/nutmeg nose. Roasted malt flavors with spruce and root beer flavors. Somewhat acidic with a slightly bitter finish. Score - 39

Full Sail Wassail - Malt, mocha, and indistinct hops in the nose. On the palate, the beer starts with hoppy bitterness with a little acid and a little malt that morphs into roasted malt bitterness in the finish. Score - 38