{"id":12226,"date":"2016-12-23T09:38:18","date_gmt":"2016-12-23T14:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/?p=12226"},"modified":"2016-12-23T14:02:37","modified_gmt":"2016-12-23T19:02:37","slug":"brew-ho-ho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portlandmonthly.com\/portmag\/brew-ho-ho\/","title":{"rendered":"Brew Ho Ho"},"content":{"rendered":"

December 2016 | view this story as a .pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

In a state where delicious beers and vicious winters define us, more and more local breweries are creating seasonal winter brews.<\/h3>\n

\"brew-story-dec16\"<\/h3>\n

Get tasting, and you\u2019ll be feeling as jolly as Santa in no time\u2013red nose, belly, and all.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve spent the last five hours battling the northbound turnpike antics of Massachusetts\u2013Holy smokes, where do these guys learn to drive?<\/em> (Likely the same Caribou DMV you did, bub.) Finally, you\u2019ve pulled into the driveway and you\u2019re home in good old Portland for the holidays. The porch light\u2019s been left on, casting a heartening glow on\u2026mom\u2019s new handmade farmer\u2019s-market dried-herb-and-sandalwood wreath. Are those oranges?<\/em> What happened to the synthetic pine and holly berries, a staple in every family photo since you were eleven? And is that\u2013is that a fake<\/em> tree? (A PVC-free, sustainable, eco-friendly artificial tree, to be exact.) Are those matching, hand-knitted stockings? There are only two! Whose home are you in? First Bowie, now this? Oh, don\u2019t worry, the d\u00e9cor may change, but your childhood memories will always remain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, chin up, off you go to the fridge for one of dad\u2019s ice-cold beers. That\u2019s where the real memories are. If there is one thing you can depend on in this ever-changing world, it\u2019s dad\u2019s favor of a New England classic. But what do you find when you open the fridge door? Dear old dad\u2019s not drinking Narragansett anymore. Instead, help yourself to a hearty winter brew. Dad stood in line for an hour or two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From spruce tips to figs, the ingredients found in your brewers\u2019 batches sound more like a shopping list for A.C. Moore, but one thing is clear, these seasonal beers are far from the ales you used to sneak on Christmas Eve. So pull out the family growler, stoke the fire (or turn up the space heater), and start checking your list tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hibernal Fluxus 2016\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Allagash Brewing Company, <\/strong>Portland<\/span><\/p>\n

Belgian-Style Stout – 8% ABV<\/span><\/p>\n

This Belgian-style stout is brewed with figs and is a balance of roasty and sweet with notes of \u201cbitter baking chocolate, espresso, biscuit malt, and mocha.\u201d Allagash will donate a portion of the proceeds from Hibernal Fluxus to Window Dressers, a group helping Maine families in need to conserve fuel and reduce heating costs through the winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snow Blower Beer\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Austin Street,<\/strong> 1 Industrial Way, Portland\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

American Barleywine – 9.5% ABV<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn American barleywine, Snow Blower Beer packs plenty of malt flavor with just enough bitterness to balance everything out. We recommend this beer AFTER snow blowing, shoveling, or anytime you need a warming beverage during the cold Maine winter.\u201d
\n\u2013Will Fisher, Austin Street Brewery<\/span><\/p>\n

Jolly Woodsman\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Banded Horn,<\/strong> Biddeford<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee Stout – 7.5% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cSpecial with wood-roasted Kenyan espresso from the Speckled Ax. Tasting notes include orange, cacao husk, cranberry juice, and bitter chocolate.\u201d \u2013Alexis Albert, Banded Horn Brewing Co.<\/span><\/p>\n

Resolution\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Barreled Souls with Banded Horn, Saco<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Belgian Strong Ale – 10% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cThe Champagne-inspired Belgian Strong Ale fermented with four different yeasts including Brettanomyces . It becomes more complex and acidic over time. It\u2019s available at the Banded Horn tasting room in Biddeford.\u201d \u2013Alexis Albert, Banded Horn Brewing Co.<\/span><\/p>\n

Phantom Punch \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Baxter Brewing Company, Lewiston<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stout – 6.8% ABV<\/strong>. A tribute to the 1965 World Heavyweight Championship when Muhammed Ali delivered the knockout blow to Sonny Liston. \u201cPacks a wallop of its own, with a ghostly hint of cocoa nibs and vanilla beans.\u201d \u2013Baxter Brewing Company\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Picea \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bear Bones Beer,<\/strong> Lewiston<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Stout – 7.5% ABV<\/strong>. This dry stout is brewed with spruce combined with roasted malts and hints of mint and chocolate. Available at the Great Lost Bear, the Quarry Tap Room, and the Bear Bones tasting room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vienna Lager\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boothbay Craft Brewery,<\/strong> Boothbay<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lager – 6% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cBalanced clean ruby colored lager brewed with German malts, hops and yeast. Hallertau hops balance the malt to allow for great drinkability and a touch of sweetness at the end.\u201d \u2013Edwin Mitchell, Boothbay Craft Brewery<\/span><\/p>\n

Prelude special ale\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shipyard Brewing Co.<\/strong>, Portland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

English Ale – 6.7% ABV<\/strong>. This winter go-to is a \u201crich, nutty and full-bodied.\u201d Not a fan of the heavy porters? This classic is the brew for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jailbreak Chocolate Chili Stout\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bigelow Brewing Company,<\/strong> Skowhegan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Chocolate Chili Stout – 7.6% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cSmooth stout has notes of rich chocolate, roasted coffee and smoky sweetness imparted from the roasted malts and chocolate nibs used in the brew.\u00a0 Chimayo chili offers a slight heat.\u201d \u2013Pamela Powers, Bigelow Brewing Company<\/span><\/p>\n

Angels with Filthy Souls\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bissell Brothers,<\/strong> Portland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Maple Porter – 8% ABV<\/strong>. This maple porter is the first dark brew from Bissell Bros. and is offered through December.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dead Sled Ale \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Black Bear Microbrewery,<\/strong> Orono<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Scottish Ale – 7% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cCrisp, clean, Scottish Ale is distinctly malt forward and endlessly drinkable for the winter nights.\u201d \u2013Tim Gallon, Black Bear Microbrewery<\/span><\/p>\n

Salted Caramel \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blank Canvas Brewery, Brewer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dunkelwiezen-style Ale – 4.7% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cAle with an extra long boil to caramelize the sugars. It tastes like a salted caramel candy and is very easy to drink.\u201d \u2013Stephen Genthner, co-owner of Blank Canvas<\/span><\/p>\n

Saco Salmon Redd Rye\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dirigo Brewing Co.,<\/strong> Biddeford<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

German Roggenbier – 4.5% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cFull bodied German roggenbier<\/em> made with pilsner, caramel, and Munich malts.\u00a0 Earthy and bold with a pleasant bitterness and a smooth finish. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Saco Salmon Restoration Alliance.\u201d \u2013Molly Bull, Dirigo Brewing Company<\/span><\/p>\n

Timberhitch\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fore River Brewing Co., South Portland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Irish Red Ale – 6.3% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cHearty ale focuses on the complexity of the malt bill. Presents with a caramel, toasted malt note with a touch of malt sweetness. English and domestic hops provide a balance without overwhelming the beer with unwanted aroma or bitterness.\u201d\u2013John LeGassey,, Fore River Brewing Company<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ice Scraper\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Foulmouthed Brewing, South Portland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Barleywine – 10% ABV or higher<\/strong>. \u201cDark, malt-forward style with high alcohol, a rich flavor, and balanced bitterness that is perfect for the cold season.\u201d \u2013Craig Dilger, Foulmouthed Brewing<\/span><\/p>\n

Midnight Special \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Funky Bow Brewing, Lyman<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Porter – 8% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cBlended with the fresh cold brewed coffee to create one of our most popular dark beers. At first the chocolate and caramel malts move across your palate while the fresh coffee flavor takes over to balance this beer.\u201d \u2013Glen Halliday, Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Co.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Penobscot Icebreaker \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Geaghan Brothers Brewing, Bangor<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Winter Ale – 7.3% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cA classic winter spice ale with orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, and pumpkin to help warm you on any winter day. This winter ale is available through late winter.\u201d \u2013Lisa Sturgeon, Geaghan Bros. Brewing<\/span><\/p>\n

Storyteller Doppelbock Lager \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oak Pond Brewing Co.,<\/strong> Skowhegan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Lager – 7.7% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cThis dark lager brewed with a blend of North American and European malts, hopped with a German noble variety. It runs through February and is available from Augusta north and at the brewery.\u201d \u2013Adam Chandler, Oak Pond Brewing Co.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arboreal\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oxbow Brewing, Newcastle<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

American Sour Ale – 8.5% ABV<\/strong>. Tim Adams at Oxbow says the beer is fermented and aged in bourbon barrels. Bottles can be purchased at Oxbow Blending and Bottling in Portland and at the Newcastle tasting room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Flannel Ale \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Penobscot Bay Brewing, Winterport<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Brown Ale – 7% ABV<\/strong>. This brown ale carries a sweet aroma, rich malty flavors, and Perele hops for bittering. It pairs well with sausage, rich stews, and chili.\u201d \u2013Joan Anderson, Penobscot Bay Brewery<\/span><\/p>\n

Waypoint \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising Tide, Portland<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Coffee Porter – 5% ABV<\/strong>. This coffee porter is a collaboration with Tandem Coffee Roasters and features notes of coffee, chocolate, dark fruit, and berries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slick Nick Long Winter Ale \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sebago Brewing Company, Gorham<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Winter Ale – 7.2% ABV<\/strong>. A Maine winter classic, Slick Nick has a smooth body and a malty warmth with a touch of hops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snow Day \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

SoMe Brewing Company,<\/strong> York<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Porter – 8% ABV<\/strong>. \u201cA robust porter with Belgian candy syrup. It will be out in bottles and draft throughout Maine in January. We also have a bourbon barrel version that will be released around the first major snowfall!\u201d \u2013David Rowland, SoMe Brewing Company\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Barn Burner \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2 Feet Brewing,<\/strong> Bangor Chilli Saison, 7.4% ABV<\/strong>. This saison is made with roasted jalepe\u00f1os, offering a warming tingle from your lips to your toes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

December 2016
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