Alesmith
Alesmith is offering it’s most popular seasonal ale, YuleSmith, which is brewed twice a year in two different, yet similar styles: An Imperial / Double IPA and an Imperial / Double Red Ale. “For the winter season, YuleSmith is brewed as an Imperial Red Ale. This version is maltier, more balanced, and darker in color than the summer version. Although quite malty, big hop flavors and aromas are abundant making this an unforgettable winter warmer. Winter YuleSmith is packaged in traditional holiday red and green.” (Alesmith)
Original Gravity 1.085
Alcohol by Volume 9.5%
“Yulesmith is being offered Tuesday, December 15th @ Toronado SD for AleSmith Night! The first-ever AleSmith Night at Toronado SD is finally here! On Tuesday, December 15th, our friends at Toronado will be serving up a bunch of hand-forged AleSmith ales including Winter YuleSmith on cask and maybe a "decadent" surprise or two. AleSmith Night starts at 6pm so be sure to get there in time to taste your favorite AleSmith offerings!” (Alesmith)
Blind Lady Alehouse
Blind Lady Alehouse is open throughout the holidays including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. See the Blind Lady website for details and hours, www.blindladyalehouse.com.
On Christmas Eve they are planning a Flight of Xmas and Seasonal beers along with a silly Christmas movie or two on the big screen. Christmas Day will be a White Christmas featuring white beers.
Ritual Tavern
Ritual Tavern has Alesmith YuleSmith on tap. In bottles are Big Sky Powder Hound Winter Amber Ale, Shipyard Prelude, Black Diamond Winter Dubbel Ale from Walnut City, and Vintage 2008 Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi.
Karl Strauss
** December 3, 2009. Karl Strauss Brewing Company is releasing their new winter seasonal, Fullsuit Belgian-Style Brown Ale. While the company has long brewed a variety of seasonals, Fullsuit is only the second seasonal offering to be bottled, following Oktoberfest. Fullsuit is a medium-bodied Belgian ale with toasted malt flavors, oak undertones, and a dry warming finish.
“We wanted to brew a flavorful beer that was still sessionable as the weather starts to cool,” says Paul Segura, Karl Strauss Brewmaster. “You know it’s winter in San Diego when the surfers start to paddle out in their fullsuits, so the name seemed fitting.”
Brewed with a blend of brown and caramel malts, and fermented with a Belgian yeast strain, Fullsuit is an extremely flavorful example of a quaffable winter warmer. Rolled oats were added during the mash to create a creamy mouthfeel while saaz hops were added for aroma. After fermentation, Fullsuit was aged with French oak chips to impart subtle vanilla and oak undertones that complement the slightly peppery character from the Belgian yeast. Mahogany-brown in color and finishing at 6.3% ABV, Fullsuit has a dry, slightly warming finish perfect for those brisk Southern California nights.
The company plans on bottling 2,000 cases of Fullsuit Belgian-Style Brown Ale for distribution throughout Southern California. “I’m stoked that our new bottling line gives us the flexibility to put out a beer like Fullsuit. I know people are going to enjoy this beer,” says Segura. Expect six packs to hit shelves in early December and run through February. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com.
Specs:
6.3% ABV
24 IBU
35 SRM
**(information courtesy of www.karlstrauss.com)
Oceanside Aleworks
Oceanside Ale Works will be debuting their 1225 Christmas Ale on Friday, December 11th. See the Oceanside Ale Works website at www.oceansidealeworks.com.
Alpine Beer Company
“On Friday, December 18th, starting at noon, we are releasing two special bottled beers. We will have 12 ounce long neck bottles of “Great”, our bourbon barrel aged barleywine. This is the beer that was in those barrels just inside the door at the brewery. It finished at 14.16% alcohol by volume and tastes out of this world. The other offering is the debut of the 22 ounce “Exponential Hoppiness”. These beers will only be available at the brewery until just before Christmas, unless we sell out. We have about 60 cases of each and both will cost $7.99 each. There will be limits on quantities of one case per beer.” (Alpine Beer Co.)
See the Alpine Beer Company website for holiday hours. www.alpinebeerco.com.
Airdale Brewing Company
“Homecoming is our Fall Seasonal Beer and is only available from October thru December.”
“Airdale Homecoming, is a classic brown porter spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. It starts with hints of espresso on the nose and a light malt sweetness with faint traces of chocolate and vanilla. Caramel notes come through as well. The Holiday spices are faint, allowing the porter's flavor to dominate while the spices enhance the chocolate notes. A light-bodied beer, the finish is smooth with a subtle hoppy bitterness. A wonderful warming effect makes this beer a perfect holiday treat!” (Airdale Brewing Company)
www.airdalebrewing.com
Those are just a few examples of holiday and seasonal brews being offered by San Diego breweries and pubs. For additional information on seasonal and other brews please visit the brewery and pub websites for all current offerings and events.
John Rogers
San Diego is Brewing
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