A look at several brews worth including in a 2012 celebration.
If you get no kick from champagne, maybe you ought to try toasting the new year with beer.
I actually enjoy a bit of the sparkling stuff on festive occasions, but the upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations got me thinking: If someone wanted to ring in 2013 with beer rather than bubbly, which brews would be the best, or most appropriate.
Fortunately, the day I thought of this idea, I ran into my good friend Brock McConkey at Pop's, the package store that is equidistant from our abodes. Since Brock is about as well-versed a beer maven as I know, I asked him to pipe in with a few of his suggestions. Below are four we came up with. (The final list was determined by me, so of you disagree vehemently, blame me, not Brock.) We tried to keep it limited to beers that are easily found locally, but we didn't succeed. But hey, the ones you can't this year can be a goal to obtain for next New Year's Eve.
In no particular order, you might try one (or more) of these brews as worthy of toasting the changing of the year in lieu of champagne on New Year's Eve:
– AleSmith's YuleSmith Winter: A rate imperial red ale, YuleSmith may be more of a overall holiday beer than just one relegated to New Year's Eve, but it still gets a mention here for its big alcohol content (9.5 percent) and big flavors. Somewhat dark and malty, the beer also adds a generous hop profile to balance things out.
– Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project's Our Finest Regards: This one might get in on its name alone, but fortunately its flavor is even better: toasted biscuits, raisins and spicy caramel flesh out this big barley wine, which soars to 13.5 percent, alcohol by volume. The finish is mostly fruity, with a dollop of hop bite to cut through the apple aftertaste.
– Stone Brewing Double Bastard: This strong ale certainly is strong, coming in at just over 11 percent, alcohol by volume. But its high-octane fuel isn't its appeal for most beer fans. The real attraction is its full and complex flavor profile that includes a sticky caramel note swirling around a delicious citrus center. Some vanilla speaks in there as well, but before you start thinking this a is a cloying malt bomb, think again: Double Bastard is chock full of hoppy goodness, making it a big but balanced brew.
– Cigar City Warmer Winter Winter Warmer: Saying the name may make you sound like you're drunk already, and having a few of these (at 10 percent alcohol by volume) will make you intoxicated so handle with care.
Apricots, maple, toffee, with a tangy hop finish, this big, chewy brew is perfect for winter
What are some of your suggestions?