Merry Christmas

By now families around the world are knee-deep in wrapping paper while kids utter those heartfelt words, "Is this all I got?". We don't have kids, so that means I won't have to fight for the controls to play any new Wii games I received. It also means I should be free to settle in and enjoy good food and some great beer.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!!

It's time for some Holiday Cheer

I've been a little distracted over the past few weeks with a cold, then the flu and most recently, the sudden passing of a friend. So, I haven't really been able to nor been in the mood to fully enjoy any of my holiday and Christmas beers. However, since Christmas is only two days away, its time to throw open the doors to the beer cellar. Here's a list of the holiday beers that are just waiting to be enjoyed:

Affligem - Noel (2007 & 2008)
Anchor Brewing - Christmas (2008)
Brasserie Dubuisson - Scaldis Noel (2008)
Bridgeport Brewing - Ebenezer Ale (2008)
De Koninck - Winter Koninck (2007)
Huyghe Brewery - Delirium Noel (2007 & 2008)
Left Hand - Snowbound (2008)
Leyerth Breweries - Urthel Hibernus Quentum (2008)
New Belgium - Frambrozen (2005 & 2008)
New Belgium - 2° Below (2008)
Ridgeway Brewing - Santa's Butt (2007 & 2008)
Ridgeway Brewing - Warm Welcome (2007 & 2008)
Ridgeway Brewing - Reindeer's Revolt (2008)
Ridgeway Brewing - Lump of Coal (2008)
Rogue - Santa's Private Reserve (2008)
Sam Adams - Holiday Pack (Winter Lager, Cream Stout, Old Fezziwig, Holiday Porter) (2008)
St. Bernardus - Christmas (2008)
Young's - Winter Warmer (2007)

As well as copious amounts of my own 2008 Holiday Cheer which turned out really well this year. Fortunately, I don't have to work until next Monday, so that gives me five days to enjoy some or all of the above beers.

Cheers.

75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition

If there's ever a day to drink a beer, today is the day! Its the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. So celebrate by purchasing, transporting, consuming and manufacturing (if you have the means) an alcoholic beverage as all of which were illegal between 1920 and 1933.

A few more UFO's at the saucer

After my beer run to Spec's, I met up with a friend at the Flying Saucer for lunch. Since I was in the neighborhood, I was able to knock out three more beers on my neverending quest. This time it was:
#27 North Coast Le Merle
#28 Avery IPA (Cask)
#29 St. Bernardus Abt 12

Beer run to Spec's

I have a bunch of vacation days that I need to use up before the end of the year, so on one of them last week I made a trip to the Spec's downtown to stock up on my holiday beer. One thing that surprised me was the number of people that apparently had the same idea. It was 10:30 in the morning on a Tuesday and I followed a stream of people entering the store. Once inside I went directly to the beer section to avoid getting distracted by the myriad of wines, alcohol and fine foods. And it was a good thing too as I ended up spending a lot more then I anticipated. In addition to just the holiday releases, there's also a lot of new beers that have entered the Texas market and it was difficult to restrain myself from filling the cart. However, I kept it to just the holiday releases, as the rest of new stuff should still be around after the new year. I typically save most of them to drink on or around Christmas day, so this should keep me occupied:
Anchor Christmas
Left Hand Snowbound
Affligem Noel
St. Bernardus Christmas
Scaldis Noel
Urthel Hibernus Quentum
Sam Adams Holiday Pack (Winter Lager, Cream Stout, Old Fezziwig, Holiday Porter, Cranberry Lambic)
Bad Elf Holiday Pack (Reindeer's Revolt, Warm Welcome, Santa's Butt, Lump of Coal)

I still have a bottle or two of some of the beer above from last year in my beer cellar, so I'll be able to do my own vertical tasting as well.

Its really a shame Sam Adams only releases the Holiday Porter and Old Fezziwig in these holiday packs. They're both great beers that I'd love to buy without being forced to also take the horrendous Cranberry Lambic.

Okay, I couldn't resist, I did pick up a few more things:
St. Bernardus gift pack with glass
Rogue Double Dead Guy

What can I say, I'm weak. I finally had to just close my eyes and push the cart in the direction of the checkout lines!