Claus – Braxton Brewing Co.
Braxton’s Claus is a peppermint sweet stout with a creamy milk chocolate base that is highlighted by a delicate peppermint undertone — it becomes more obvious as your glass warms and empties. The brewery collaborated on the beer with local candy company Doscher’s. With a low bitterness profile that sets it apart from other stouts and a 5.5 percent ABV, it’s a perfect replacement (or accompaniment) to a candy cane, which Doscher’s has been making by hand for more than 100 years.
’77 Winter – Christian Moerlein
It’s supposedly the most wonderful time of the year — but not for Cincinnatians who endured the fateful winter of 1977, when temperatures reached minus 25 degrees and the Ohio River was suddenly suitable for ice-skating. For those old enough to remember, maybe Moerlein’s 6.3 percent ABV winter warmer will numb the frigid memories. And, while the beer works its namesake magic, you can help people in need: Bring a new or gently used coat to the taproom and you’ll get your first pint of ’77 Winter for only $1.
Thundersnow; Luna Lux – MadTree
With notes of ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and a bready malt sweetness, you might as well crack open a can of Thundersnow spiced Scottish ale after a hearty Christmas dinner. Given the scrumptious flavor profile, the 8.5 percent ABV ale just might be the perfect companion to a plate of home-decorated gingerbread men (dunking not recommended). The seasonal dark beer is balanced with a lighter option: MadTree’s new Luna Lux, a white IPA with coriander, lemon peel and a clove finish.
Winter Ale – Mt. Carmel
Pick up Mt. Carmel’s winter warmer, imbued with holiday fruits like plums and oranges and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper to create a classic, dark ale that’s perfect to drink while cozying up to a roaring fire.
Dad – Rhinegeist
’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the ’Nati, not a relative was tipsy, not even ol’ Daddy. Or was he? Change the tune of a holiday gathering with Rhinegeist’s popular seasonal hoppy red ale, Dad. The 6 percent ABV ale as a seasonally appropriate reddish brown tint that’ll look good in your family’s annual ugly Christmas sweater photo. Hops and holiday spices intermingle to match the staple flavors of the season, without the sweetness overload. Also, it comes in a cute plaid can.
Salted Carm-Ale – Rivertown
It’s a take on the gooey, sweet-and-salty treat, which was a favorite of Lauren Hill, the Mount Saint Joseph University basketball player who died of brain cancer in 2014. Hill raised more than $1 million for The Cure Starts Now, a locally based international childhood cancer foundation. And Rivertown has teamed up with the group to offer some philanthropy during the holidays. You can indulge in a glass of the toffee-inspired Roebling porter at the taproom, where $1 of every pint will be donated to the charity.
Santa’s Bribe – Taft’s Brewing Co.
Set a pint of this libation — affectionately marketed as a “Christmas Cookie Ale” with hints of ginger, cinnamon and vanilla — on the mantle for Santa and hope he doesn’t get slapped with a sleigh DUI by the end of the night (PSA: Don’t drink and drive). With a high-but-not-too-high 6.2 percent ABV, it will surely warm the cockles of your heart without making you tipsy enough to permanently place you on the naughty list.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2017.