Seasonal Return

SEASONAL RETURN: Bell’s Winter White

Bell’s Brewing’s Winter seasonal isn’t a dark, spicy, malty beer.  This winter beer has a Belgian flair – it’s witbier.  Witbier translates to “white beer” originating in Belgium, and is top fermented.  This beer style got it’s name due to Continue Reading →

Duck Rabbit Wee Heavy

One quick suggestion for Duck Rabbit Brewing (Farmville, NC) – they need to update their website.  Anyway, Duck Rabbit’s Wee Heavy was first released in April 2006.  This beer hasn’t seen much time at the bar or on shelves in Continue Reading →

Mad River John Barleycorn 2009

This barleywine release from Mad River Brewing ( Blue Lake, CA)  is easily one of my favorite barleywines I have ever had.  The flavor profile is more like an English style barleywine, sweet malts, nutty, muted hop profile.  Following precedent, Continue Reading →

SEASONAL RETURN: Abita Christmas

Christmas Ale from Abita Brewing (Abita Springs, LA) rounds out the brewery’s year.  Each year the recipe is just a little different, but always on the darker side of the spectrum.  Christmas Ale was first brewed shortly after the brewery Continue Reading →

Corsendonk Christmas

First brewed in 1998, this Christmas release by Brouwerij Corsendonk (Oud, Belgium) was hit almost immediately.  Christmas Ale has received a world class rating on BeerAdvocate.com, and is highly anticipated as soon as the weather turns cold.  This dark Belgian ale is Continue Reading →

Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale

Full Sail Wassail is back for 2010.  This beer was first brewed by Full Sail Brewing (Hood River, Oregon)  in 1988.  Like some other seasonals this time of year, each year the taste is just a little different.

From Full Sail:

In Hood River, every year a few undeniable signs signal when winter is at the doorstep. The cool east winds begin to blow, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams get a white blanket of fresh powder, and the snow report for the backcountry regains its trance-like hold. But most of all, we know it’s winter because theWassail starts flowing once again.