Holiday Beer Cheer

Sing it with me: “It’s beginning to look a lot like … holiday beer season.” Embrace the centuries-old tradition of boozy, spicy, belly-warming brews for winter. The roots of “holiday” beer are embedded in mythology and winter solstice celebrations when pious pagans swilled fermentables to honor their gods. Later, medieval sippers imbibed warm, strong ale blended with roasted apples, spices and honey out of wassail bowls to celebrate Christmas. Many breweries now play around with Christmas ale recipes, bringing their seasonal releases a bit closer to the days of wassail and mulled wine. Others introduce drinkers to more aggressive winter styles such as Imperial stouts, barley and wheat wines, old ales and winter warmers. Heavier malt bills create body, richness and depth, and the introduction of baking spices, herbs and fruit provide complexity. Alcohol content increases for welcome warmth as months get colder and days get shorter.

Look for these locally available winter and holiday beers to toast the New Year:

Schlafly Christmas Ale (8 percent ABV) is sweet, spice and everything nice in true wassail form. Sweet caramel malt, honey and bright orange peel balance the spicy ginger, cardamom and clove that linger after each sip.
Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust St., St. Louis; Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, 314.241.2337

2nd Shift Barrel-Aged I Am Become Death Wheat Wine (10.5 percent ABV) is full of booze, malt and tingly feelings. Aged in sherry barrels that once housed Pinckney Bend whiskey, this beast warms the palate with notes of caramel and wood while finishing with slight sherry oxidation and whiskey sweetness.
Bottle Cellars, 6039 Telegraph Road, Oakville, 314.846.5100

4 Hands Bonafide Russian Imperial Stout (9 percent ABV) is bold and aggressive. Bittersweet chocolate and roasted coffee dominate the palate while traces of vanilla soften the finish.
4 Hands Brewery, 1220 S. Eighth St., St. Louis, 314.436.1559

Founders Breakfast Stout (8.3 percent ABV) is rich and chewy. Layers of coffee and chocolate embrace the palate with this full-bodied, meal-worthy brew.
Saint Louis Hop Shop, 2606 Cherokee St., St. Louis, 314.261.4011

Deschutes Jubelale Winter Warmer (6.7 percent ABV) is robust and warming. Notes of toffee, chicory and dark fruit give way to a slightly bitter finish.
Randall’s Wine and Spirits, all locations. 

Great Divide Hibernation Old Ale (8.7 percent ABV) is hearty and dry-hopped. Body-warming malt and booze up front balance with the bitter hops and give way to nuances of wood and stone fruit on the back.
Fields Foods, 1500 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, 314.241.3276