Dec. 25 (BONUS) | Celebration | Sierra Nevada Brewing

Why We Picked It: Due to an ordering mix-up from Maple Lawn, we didn't, which is one of the greatest tragedies in the history of 24DOB. So we are 24+1, but it is up to you to go out and find your own Celebration (they are readily available at any credible beer and liquor store).

What Sierra Nevada Says About It: The start of Celebration season is a festive event. Once the first fresh hops arrive from harvest, the party begins! We first brewed Celebration in 1981, blazing the path for American-style IPAs and offering a new take on holiday beers, which are often spiced and sweet. Famous for its citrus and pine aromas, Celebration is bold and intense, featuring Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops—honoring everything we have at Sierra Nevada

Style:  IPA - American

ABV: 6.8%

IBU: 65

Website: https://sierranevada.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Turns out, good beer can do a lot of good. We shook things up in the ’80s, and it helped launch a beer revolution that’s in full force today. We keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s in the brewhouse, with sustainability, or in the great outdoors.

Note: No poll this time as this is the unofficial 24DOB+. Also, if you are not drinking a Celebration, feel free to share whatever it is that you are having today. I hope to have poll results to share soon.

Dec. 24 | Mad Elf | Troegs Independent Brewing

 

Why We Picked It: Because we are as mad as a drunk elf.

What Troegs Says About It: The Holidays at Troegs start with our inner Mad Elf momentarily taking over the brew deck. So blame “him” for this cheerful ruby red creation reminiscent of ripened cherries, raw honey, and cocoa with notes of cinnamon, clove, and allspice.

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

ABV: 11%

IBU: 15 

Website: https://troegs.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: 

The Tröegs Story from Tröegs Independent Brewing on Vimeo.

Dec. 23 | Merry Monkey | Victory Brewing

 

Why We Picked It: A holiday brews from a favorite regional brewery, Victory. 

What Victory Says About It: This belgian-style holiday ale combines the beloved flavor profile of golden monkey with notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg to deliver a delightfully smooth finish, perfect for merry gatherings with family and friends.

Style: Belgian Strong Golden Ale / /

ABV: 10%

IBU: 35

Website: https://victorybeer.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Headquartered in Downingtown, PA, Victory Brewing Company is a craft brewery founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet. In 1996, Victory opened its doors to serve full-flavored, innovative beers putting curiosity and inspiration from their travels and the world around them into each delicious, high-quality beer. By 2014 Victory outgrew the original Downingtown brewery and opened a second brewery in Parkesburg, PA. Victory operates three taprooms; the Downingtown site, Victory at Magnolia in Kennett Square and Parkesburg featuring great views of the large-scale production facility and self-guided brewery tours.

Dec. 22| Christmas Ale | Great Lakes Brewing

 

Why We Picked It: Good brewery and a respected holiday brew that - for some reason - has not appeared in 24 Days of Beer since 2014!

What Great Lakes Says About It: Do not open ‘til Christmas? Whoever coined that phrase obviously hasn’t tasted Christmas Ale’s fresh honey, cinnamon, and ginger flavors. There is a yuletides worth of holiday spice and sweet honey to you a-wassailing all season long.

Style: Winter Ale

ABV: 7.5%

IBU: 30 

Website: https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Two Irish brothers with limited brewing experience. A city that shuttered its last production brewery in the early 80s. A neighborhood in serious need of a facelift. In 1986 when Patrick and Daniel Conway opened their fledgling operation in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, the odds were stacked against them. Fortunately, they surrounded themselves with a staff of passionate, knowledgeable people, and from the start committed themselves to bringing a sophisticated, diverse selection of craft beer to their home state. Two decades, multiple awards, and a whole lot of stories later, Pat and Dan Conway celebrate over two decades of brewing exceptional beer for their adventurous and discerning customers.

Dec. 21 | 2XMas | Southern Tier Brewing

Why We Picked It: Essentially, I made them. For those who haven't been bored by this info already, Southern Tier is essentially from my hometown of Jamestown, NY. (technically it the tiny little town of Lakewood, adjacent to  While I generally like to slag on J-town a bit, it still amazes me that an early(ish) pioneer in craft brewing decided to set up camp there, and I have visited the awesome brewery several times (one of the few things to do there, to be honest). I also love this brew as it is a true reflection of the area (very Swedish), plus my Swedish wife makes the referenced holiday Glögg (I had some earlier this week). Oh, as a bonus, this historically drives Bill nuts. 

What Southern Tier Says About It: Swedish flags are a fairly common sight in our part of the country. Holiday parties often have warm concoctions of spices and booze at the ready to knock the ice off of toes while raising spirits. We were inspired by a “Glögg” party, deciding on the spot to brew a beer that pays tribute to this Nordic tradition. 2XMAS ale combines traditional brewing ingredients with figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and ginger root. It’s a holiday addition to the 2X line and another reason to toast to the season, but unlike Glögg, we recommend serving this one chilled.

Style: Winter Warmer 

ABV: 8%

IBU: 40

Website: https://stbcbeer.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Since our humble beginnings, Southern Tier Brewing Company has grown into an industry leader and world-class brewery. As demand has grown over the years, Southern Tier has expanded to a 110 BBL Steinecker brewhouse. Surrounding the brewhouse is the packaging hall with keg, bottle, and can production lines as well as our ever-growing farm of fermenters and state-of-the-art brewing quality lab. From our wildly innovative founder, Phin DeMink, who’s still a daily inspiration, to the new generation of brewers who share our pursuit of what’s next, we keep honing the creative edge of brewing discovery. Our brewing team utilizes a 2BBL and 25 BBL system for smaller batches to test new and cutting-edge ideas. Many of these beers are available in our taprooms.

Dec. 20 | Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (2020) | Anchor Steam

Why We Picked It: We always like to have Anchor Steam Merry Christmas in 24DOB as the recipe deviates probably more than most of the annual holiday brews. Others tweak in strength and amount of ingredients, but the entire taste can shift with Achor Steam. Also,note that they change that label every year and employ a different artist.

What Anchor Steam Says About It: The 2020 Anchor Christmas Ale is a one-of-a-kind, featuring the highest ABV at 7% and darkest appearance of any vintage. Yet, this year’s release is easy-drinking and approachable for everyone at a holiday gathering or virtual event.

Anchor’s 2020 Christmas Ale is silky-smooth and layered with classic holiday flavors of chocolate, toasted marshmallows and graham crackers - perfect for enjoying at the end of the meal, or around a fire with close friends. This winter warmer teems with aromas of fresh coffee and dark chocolate, and pours with a tight, creamy cappuccino-colored head.

Each year a new symbolic hand-drawn tree is chosen for the Christmas Ale label. This year’s label features The Three Graces; three iconic towering sequoias from the Mariposa Grove in California’s Yosemite National Park. This is only the second time in its 46-year history that multiple trees are shown together on the label, a fitting statement to symbolize togetherness and hope in a year when so much time has been spent apart. The Three Graces represent radiance, joy, and flowering – characteristics that we can all hold near during this unprecedented time.

Style: Winter Warmer

ABV: 7%

IBU: 40 

Website:  https://www.anchorbrewing.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Our annual Christmas Ale is a subtly spiced and sumptuously smooth winter warmer. This year’s brew marks the 46th annual release of this Anchor holiday tradition. Back in 1975, Anchor released the first holiday beer in America since Prohibition. Year after year, Anchor creates a new, secret recipe with a unique hand drawn label for their Christmas Ale, but the intent with each brew remains the same: joy for the changing seasons and celebration of the newness of life. With a heavily guarded, confidential recipe, Christmas Ale is sold only from early November to mid-January. 

Dec. 19 | Christmas Ale | Bell's Brewery

 

Why We Picked It: Bell's Two Hearted has won are beer loving hearts, and it's always fun to throw a wee heavy into the mix.

What Bell's Says About It: This traditional Scotch Ale is rich and malty with notes of caramel and a warm finish. Certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable. Enjoy with the company of friends and family.

Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

ABV: 7.5%

IBU: N/A 

Website: http://www.bellsbeer.com/

To Better Know A Brewery: Bell's Brewery, Inc. is a family-owned craft brewing company with operations in Comstock and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bell's brews acclaimed beers such as Hopslam Ale, Oberon Ale, and Two Hearted Ale. It operates a brewpub and a store selling merchandise and homebrewing supplies at its Kalamazoo location. Begun as a homebrewing store in 1983, and producing beer since 1985, it is the oldest existing craft brewery in Michigan. As of 2019, it is the largest independently owned brewery in the state and the 7th largest craft brewery in the United States. The company owns Upper Hand Brewery, a separately operated division in Escanaba, Michigan.