The holidays are in full swing, which means you’re going to need a lot of beer to get through awkward family gatherings, stressful holiday shopping and the literal dark days of winter. This season, local breweries have got you covered. MadTree’s famous Thundersnow — made with local ginger grown at Carriage House Farm — is back on tap and in cans. So is their “assertive” super hoppy Citra High imperial IPA and the new Luna Lux, a white IPA brewed with lemon and coriander. Taft’s Christmas cookie ale, Santa’s Bribe, is available in cans everywhere. And Mt. Carmel collaborated with the Cincinnati Zoo on a black IPA called Hibernation, which is available at the Festival of Lights and in bottles at Mt. Carmel’s taproom.
Keeping with the black theme, last week FigLeaf released their first bottled beer, Barrel Aged Black Solstice imperial stout, to commemorate the coming of winter. Rivertown released Salted Carm-Ale, a new salty-sweet porter, in bottles. Darkness Brewing tapped their Ike Ike Baby, a brown ale brewed with vanilla and maple syrup, and March First recently released Vanilla Chai Cream Ale.
Before Thanksgiving, Urban Artifact released cans of Milkman — a maple breakfast stout brewed with maple syrup, molasses, Deeper Roots coffee, almonds and vanilla beans. Braxton has Claus peppermint sweet stout on tap and in bottles; local candy maker Doscher’s provided the peppermint. And new-ish brewery Grainworks released Winter Warmer, a beer with cinnamon and sugar that they say will “exorcise The Grinch.” So put on your ugly sweater, grab a beer and ride out 2017.
Events
- Rhinegeist’s third annual Dad Day takes place noon-6 p.m. on Dec. 2. Bring your dad and wear plaid to the brewery to celebrate the seasonal release of Dad, a hoppy holiday ale. They’ll have an Airing of Grievances Board and throwback jams, too.
- Braxton’s annual all-day Winter Block Party is one of the greatest beer events of the year. On Dec. 2, they’re releasing several variants of Dark Charge, everything from Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel Aged Tiramisu to Dark Charge Bourbon Barrel Aged Molé. The beers will be sold in bottles and will be on tap for the party. Local restaurants will provide beer-infused dishes.
- Alexandria Brewing Company plans to open in the spring, but get a sneak peek at an open house from 10 a.m-3 p.m. on Dec. 2. They will have pinball, hot chocolate, hop-infused tea and possibly some brews to try.
- The 84th anniversary of the end of Prohibition is Dec. 5. To celebrate, Woodburn Brewery will have a flight of three Indian Creek Distillery whiskeys paired with three of their beers. They also will have charcuterie and Prohibition-style cocktails. Tickets for the tasting are $32.
- On Dec. 8, Listermann will host an Ugly Sweater Party. Wear an ugly Christmas sweater and enjoy a hot chocolate bar, board games and a $10 white elephant gift exchange alongside their latest brews. Donate canned food to Listermann’s fundraiser for the Freestore Foodbank in the taproom until Dec. 22; for every three cans donated you’ll receive a raffle ticket toward winning a Listermann gift basket.
- On Dec. 9, hit up Covington businesses The Gruff, Smoke Justis, Molly Malone’s and Keystone for the Merry COV-mas Pub Crawl. Prizes will be given to the best dressed and for the best karaoke performance at the final stop — the Covington Night Bazaar.
- On Dec. 11, Wooden Cask and FigLeaf will host separate Star Wars trivia nights, a few days before the Dec. 14 release of The Last Jedi. Prizes will be awarded to those who know their Star Wars stuff, like why was Jar Jar Binks so annoying?
- It’s the season for caring, so stop by Braxton from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 for their Bears & Beers Benefit for St. Joseph Orphanage. You’ll have a chance to Build-A-Bear and donate it to a child in need. Elves will be at the brewery spreading holiday cheer, and so will Graeter’s, who will supply alcoholic ice cream floats. Tickets are $24.
- On New Year’s Eve, Urban Artifact hosts the Black Light Ball. Tickets are $65 and include an open bar, access to the upstairs glow level, live music and a midnight toast. Designated driver tickets are $15.
Contact Garin Pirnia: [email protected]
