by Dan Koester on October 28, 2012
Fall is here, and the holiday season will soon be upon us. It will soon be time to start preparing for the holidays, which will include making sure that you have plenty of the most popular winter and holiday beers and ales on hand to celebrate with. Have you tried any of these specialty brews? If you haven’t, you have no idea just what you are missing. Here are some of the most popular winter and holiday brews:
- Samuel Adams Winter Classics Mix Pack – This is a variety of holiday beers for those who want to sample various flavors. The mix changes from time to time, but you will often find it has Boston Lager, Old Fezziwig Ale, Winter Lager, Holiday Porter, Black Lager and Cranberry Lambic.
- Samuel Smiths Winter Welcome Ale – This brew has plenty of flavor and alcohol content. Some people do find that it is a bit on the malty side, but that it also has the right amount of hops. This ale has hints of apple and caramel flavors for those who enjoy sweet, fruity flavors.
- Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale – This is a popular choice for a Christmas drink. It has the bitterness that beer lovers really enjoy, and is also loaded with flavor and aroma because it is dry hopped.
- Odell Brewing Co. Isolation Ale – Here is another brew that is loaded with hops but isn’t bitter. It is not dark and malty like other preferred winter brews, but it is one that is becoming more popular as a holiday drink.
- Bush Noel (Scaldis Noel in the United States) – This Belgian beer is loaded with malt, but has a very unique flavor due to the use of wilder yeasts, as well as aging it with hops flowers in vats for one month to one and a half months before bottling.
- Schlafly Christmas Ale – This is one of the ultimate brews for the holiday season. Just like your favorite ciders, this medium-bodied ale has cloves and orange peel, which gives it a unique and delicious flavor.
These are just a few of the delicious holiday beers and ales that are available in most liquor stores. Try some today, or check out some of the other wonderful fall and winter blends.
by Dan Koester on October 26, 2012
Many travelers who go to Europe visit Ireland for its rich green landscape and history, but currently more people are traveling over there just to check out what their pubs are all about. They differ so much from the typical American bars as they are also evidence of the Irish history.
So if you’re looking for something different and want a change of scenery, these pubs are what you should be exploring. Their style is what most American pubs strive to become. The reason that consumers are traveling the distance is for the experience of a lifetime.
Here is a look at some of the more popular pubs:
- McCarthy’s – This pub is as old as it gets. Its classic style has not had to undergo a facelift since it beginning. It is home to the Coolmore Stud, which is Ireland’s most successful Thoroughbred stud. It is much like a regular bar as its patrons watch horse racing during the day and discuss their hectic workday. There is a restaurant upstairs and the bar is obviously located downstairs where men gather with their beers to close out the evening.
- EJ Morrissey’s – This pub is where most patrons from Dublin visit when they are thirsty. It has a wide open space with exposed beams and lighting from above. Everything around it is wooden, and it has the appeal of an underground cavern. They are known for their famous tea, but most people visit them for their warm hospitality.
- Clancy’s – The name of this pub sounds like an American pub owned by an immigrant who came over 50 years ago, but it’s not. If you like music, this family owned pub is the place to be where every night musicians gather around and play for the patrons. You can sing until you’re blue in the face at this establishment because it offers the entertainment all night long.
If you’re looking for a good dark beer and a bar that is off the beaten path, you may want to visit one of these pubs next time you are in Ireland. They offer something different for just about anyone’s taste. You will definitely get a lesson in culture and history when you visit any one of these pubs.
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