To help you select the best seasonal beers to fuel your holiday celebrations, we asked seven local experts what they would want friends and family to bring to their holiday festivities.
Zambo, Head Brewer at 21st Amendment Brewery
"I would be very happy if my guest was willing to fork over for a bottle of Brouwerij Bosteels' Deus Brut des Flandres. It’s a Belgian strong ale that finishes like Champagne, combining a simulating mouthfeel with a delicate taste. I would serve it in a flute as guests arrive before following up with a more traditionally potent holiday beer like a Belgian Grand Cru. Rodenbach’s Grand Cru is an excellent example, but make a trip to your local bottle shop and pick out a few Grand Cru selections to find your own holiday favorite!"
Jesse Friedman, Co-Founder Almanac Beer Company
"Beer and latkes make a great pairing; something my family takes VERY seriously, especially around Hanukkah. We always put out both sour cream and applesauce to go on them, although freshly picked Dungeness crab salad is my favorite topping. I’d start out with something to balance the oil and fat of latkes - like a growler of something fresh and hoppy from Cellarmaker. Their dry hopped pales are loaded with tons of hop flavor, but very little bitterness. I particularly love their Questionable Origins which uses New Zealand hops to layer on fruit aromas of peach, blueberry and grapes."
Connor Casey, Cellarmaker Brewing Company Co-Founder
"I would want my guest to bring a growler of incredibly fresh hoppy beer from Berryessa Brewing Company or Sante Adairius Rustic Ales. Go local whenever possible. Both of these guys are making some outrageously delicious beers. For dessert, a rich, bourbon barrel imperial stout is great. Also, a wild ale like Russian River Sanctification always hits the spot—lightly tart and slightly funky with a dry finish that’s incredibly refreshing. Keeps the palate awake during a long evening."
Kim Sturdavant, Brewmaster at Social Kitchen & Brewery
"I'd hope that any beer savvy friend who's attending my Christmas Eve feast would bring two different bottles: one bright and spritzy, the other heavy and decadent. Drie Fonteinen's Vintage Geuze would be welcomed at the table: tart, zippy, funky but still elegant. For the heavy and decadent, Triple Voodoo just released their food-friendly, hand-bottled Carcosa Quad."
Beth Wathen, Co-Owner of City Beer Store
"Expect to be ushered in quickly if you're knocking on my door with Back Home Gingerbread Stout in hand. This rich and chewy Imperial Stout is studded with holiday spices, a biscuity flavor of gingerbread cookies, and a touch of warm vanilla. Also, the seventh beer in the Twelve Days of Christmas collection from The Bruery is delicious. Honoring the classic Belgian Quadrupel, this decadent dark ale dances with raisins and plums. It has a comforting toasty flavor that crackles with caramelized Belgian candi sugar. Nestled around the fire, this beer can easily be enjoyed as a starter or compliment to Christmas Eve dessert."
Dave McLean, Brewmaster-Owner at Magnolia Brewery
"Gifts of good beer are always appreciated but even if our guests came empty-handed, we'd be able to toast to the holidays with the Magnolia Winter Warmer I have on tap at home this time of year. It's like an old family friend at this point, having been brewed once a year since 1997 and inspired by the rich, malty winter ales of England that I fell in love with before opening Magnolia. The big malt character is balanced with a restrained amount of Goldings hops, their woodsy and earthy notes tempering the residual sweetness. For me, it's a cold-weather sipping beer, great around the fireplace."
Bradley Yarger, Beer Manager at the Castro Healthy Spirits
"I have three favorites: The St. Bernardus Christmas (also a Friedman favorite) is a Belgian Strong Dark Ale that’s warming and effervescent, with flavors of cola, roasted chestnut and plum. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, horny even. Truly the quintessential Christmas beer. Next up, Avec les Bons Voeux's Imperial Saison. Among the most champagne-like of any beer. Bone dry and effervescent, with flavors of over-ripe pear and lemon pepper. Pairs with virtually any food. And finally, Criminally Bad Elf's English Barleywine by Ridgeway Brewing is flat and rich. This beer is best consumed at near-room temperature to appreciate its sweet and boozy Calvados characteristics—banana bread, walnut, apple, buttered biscuit flavors."
